Indigenous management of Dystocia in ruminant livestock of northern guinea savanna of Nigeria

Abstract

This study, conducted in Bauchi and Zaria areas of the northern guinea savanna zone of Nigeria involved livestock that encountered problems during parturition Ninety eight Hausa-Fulani livestock holdings involving cattle, sheep and goats were investigated. The study focused on causes of and remedies for dystocia. The study showed that farmers have traditional means of handling difficult birth in ruminants. The identifiable causes of dystocia included age and size of dam, abnormal foetal presentation, poor health, multiple foetuses and weight and sex of the young. The management of this problem included the use of hand to correct foetal position, lubrication of the vulva-vagina passage with mashed okra fruit for easy passage, and oral administration of solutions from native herbs, snake scales, potash and ashes.

Keywords: Traditional knowledge, Dystocia, ruminants, Nigeria