A Study on the Major Causes of Organ and Carcass Condemnation in Cattle Slaughtered at Wolaita Sodo Municipality Abattoir

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2011 to March 2012 in Wolaita Sodo municipality abattoir to identify the major causes of organ and carcass condemnations and to estimate the direct economic losses due to organs and carcass condemnations. The study was conducted on cattle slaughtered at Sodo municipal abattoir. From the cattle slaughtered in this abattoir, 408 were selected randomly and examined by antemortem and postmortem examination for two days per week of visiting the abattoir (Saturday and Wednesday). Standard antemortem and postmortem inspection procedure was used for the study throughout the study period. During the antemortem examination, the following abnormalities were detected lameness 5(1.22%), local swelling 3(0.73%), rough hair coat 10(2.45%), emaciation 3(0.73%) and depression 2(0.49%). Out of 408 cattle inspected at postmortem examination; 111(27.2%) livers, 46(11.27%) lungs, 36(8.8%) kidneys, 9(2.2%) hearts and 1(0.25%) whole carcasses were rejected due to gross abnormalities. In liver 82(20.9%) fasciolosis and 15(3.67%) hydatidosis, in lung 28(6.86%) hydatid cyst, in kidney 19(4.65%) hydatid cyst and in heart 4(0.98%) pericarditis and 3 (0.73%) hydatid cysts were found as the major causes responsible for rejection of respective organ. There was statistically significant difference observed between the judgments given and the different body condition categories (χ² = 14.294^; p= 0.006) of cattle. The current study revealed that fasciolosis and hydatidosis were the major causes of condemnation that lead to huge economic losses. The average annual economic losses was calculated and found 354,821.8 Ethiopian birr due to condemnation of organs and carcass. Therefore, in order reduce this loss and to control major disease problem with animals’ government and private agencies should have to work together on abattoir data.

Keywords: Abattoir, Antemortem, Carcass, Cattle, Condemnation, Organ, Postmortem, Sodo, Wolaita