A study of some diseases affecting the livers of cattle slaughtered in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

A retrospective study of diseases affecting the livers of cattle slaughtered in Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria was carried out from 1999 to 2002. A total of 5.369 animals were slaughtered within the study period and out of this, 943 (17.6%) livers were condemned. Fascioliasis the reason for 817 (86.6%), of these condemnations and represent. 15.2% of the cattle slaughtered. This was followed by liver necrosis (8.6%) representing 1.5% of the population, while cysts (4.1%), abscesses (0.4%) and tuberculosis (0.2%) respectively represented 0.7%, 0.7% and 0.04% of the animals slaughtered in the abattoirs. Overall annual prevalence of the diseases gave 82.4% the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, with fascioliasis accounting for over 80% of the reasons for condemnations. There was a clear seasonal pattern of fascioliasis from early dry to the rainy seasons. The late dry season and beginning of the rains positively influenced the activities of Fasciola. Incidence of cysts on the livers equally increased from the early dry season to the late rainy season, while liver abscesses were positively influenced by dry season. The cases of tuberculosis occurred mostly during the dry season and this equally exacerbated the incidence of liver necrosis. It was concluded that fascioliasis and the migrating river flukes were the major reasons for liver condemnation in Akwa-Ibom state. The 0.04% prevalence rate of tuberculosis observed in the state should be of public health concern.

Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 1(1) 2005: 59-63