Pathological Conditions Causing Organ and Carcass Condemnation and Their Financial Losses in Cattle Slaughtered in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

2 Abstract: A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2011 to April 2012 to identify the major causes of organ and carcass condemnation and to estimate the direct financial losses attributed to the condemned organs and carcasses in cattle slaughtered at Gondar ELFORA abattoir, northwest Ethiopia. Out of the total 1550 randomly selected cattle subjected to antemortem and postmortem examination, 378 (24.4%) and 944 (60.9%) were found to have various types of abnormalities, respectively. From the total organs and carcasses examined, 532(34.23%) livers, 305(19.68%) lungs, 32(2.06%) hearts, 17(1.1%) kidneys, 16(1.03%) heads, 6(0.39%) tongues and 1(0.06%) carcass were totally condemned while 35 (3.22%)carcasses were partially condemned from gross abnormalities as unfit for human consumption. Emaciation (43.9%), nasal discharge (10.58%), branding (16.92%) and lameness (10.05%) were the dominant abnormalities observed during antemortem examination. Major pathological conditions that caused a total condemnation of organs were fasciolosis (48.5%), hydatidosis (17.29%), cirrhosis (15.41%), calcification (7.89%), abscess (6.2%), pneumonia (12.45%), emphysema (10.5%) pericarditis (78.1%), pylonephritis (29.41%), infarcts (23.53%), hydronephrosis (17.65%), cysticercosis (42.85.7%) and wooden tongue (14.3%). Organ and carcass condemnation rates did not show significant difference (P>0.05) among age groups. However, there was a statistical significant difference P<0.05 between body condition groups in organ and carcass condemnation rates. The financial loss due to edible organ and carcass condemnation was estimated to be 21,565,849 Ethiopian Birr (1,268,579 USD) per annum. The current study revealed that fasciolosis and hydatidosis were the major causes for condemnation that lead to huge economic losses. In conclusion, the observation of such a level of abnormalities and substantial financial loss with condemnation of affected organs warrants the institution of appropriate control measures.