Assessment of fetal wastage in pigs slaughtered at Kumasi abattoir, Ghana

There had been dearth of information on the level of fetal wastages in slaughtered pigs in West African countries other than Nigeria. This study evaluates the fetal losses due to slaughtering of pregnant pigs at the Kumasi abattoir in Kumasi, Ghana. The ages of the fetuses were estimated using standard technique with the influence of sex, age and breed of pig on fetal loss being evaluated. Data were subjected to descriptive and quantitative analysis. 2817 pigs were slaughtered during the period of the study with a monthly average of 563.1739(61.73%) were sows and 430(29.27%) were pregnant. 141(28.20%) sows were slaughtered in January, constituting the highest throughout the period of the study with corresponding fetal loss of 616(76.60%). Most of the fetuses wasted in this study were recorded in the second and third trimester (83.51%). The percentage of fetal wastage (the total number of fetuses wasted divided by the total number of pigs slaughtered) was 2117(75%) in this study. The results revealed high incidence of fetal losses at the Kumasi abattoir. There is need to advocate for routine veterinary checks and interventions in order to reduce the high level of fetal wastage which call for strategic planning and decision-making on animal food security in Ghana.Keywords: Abattoir, Fetal wastage, Slaughtered pigs, Ghan

THE PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS IN CATTLE AND THEIR HANDLERS IN NORTH TONGU, VOLTA REGION, GHANA

Background: The need to understand the contribution of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) to the general tuberculosis burden in a poor resource setting is paramount. The aim of this study is to determine the burden of BTB among herdsmen and cattle in the North Tongu district of Volta Region in Ghana. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region between the period of October 2011- March 2012. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic information and possible risk factor information on cattle from participants. Sputum samples from 68 herdsmen and blood samples from 200 cattle belonging to these herdsmen were also collected. Sputum samples were analyzed using Ziehl- Neelsen staining while Anigen Rapid BTB Test was used for Cattle blood samples. Results: Ninety percent (61/68) of respondents were also found to consume fresh milk while 84% (57/68) do not use protective clothing. Of a total of 1580 cattle owned by the herdsmen, 200 cattle consisting of 14 bulls and 186 cows were screened where the prevalence of bovine TB was 19% (38/200) and those affected were all females. All (100%) human sample tested negative for Acid- Fast Bacilli (AFB). However, the seropositivity of cattle and kraal density were statistically associated (p= 0.001). Conclusion: Bovine TB is prevalent in cattle in North Tongu district. Although herdsmen indulge in risky lifestyles that expose them to BTB, a zero prevalence of BTB was observed, further study is envisaged using a larger sample size

Causes of kidney condemnation and associated direct financial loss at Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana between 2002 – 2014

A retrospective and active abattoir survey were conducted from 2002 to 2013 and from November 2013 to March 2014 respectively to determine the  major causes of kidney condemnation at Kumasi abattoir, Ghana and also to estimate direct financial loss associated with kidney rejection. Ten kidneys out of 690 cattle and 901 out of 1,052,907 kidneys were condemned respectively between the periods 2013 – 2014 and 2002 – 2013 respectively. The major causes for kidney condemnation were nephritis (33.3 %), putrefaction (25.6 %), tuberculosis (18.2 %), abscessation (13.1 %)  and hydronephrosis (10.0 %). The overall direct financial loss from kidney condemned during the study period was estimated to be GH¢ 3,189. Factors such as age, sex, breed, season and festive periods were observed to influence the occurrence of kidney condemnation. The study recommends that attention should be given to the kidney during post mortem inspection as some of the causes of its condemnation were zoonotic. Keywords: Abattoir, Kidney condemnation, Lesions, Financial implications, Ghan

Gross morphometric characteristics of respiratory organs in the Sahelian goats for assessment of lower respiratory disorders

Pulmonary consolidation assessment is relevant in the evaluation of caprine pneumonia especially in resource-poor setting. The study investigates  body parameters and gross morphometric characteristics of lungs and trachea, of the Sahelian goat to aid in assessment of lower respiratory conditions. The study utilized 64 healthy (nonpneumonic) lungs collected from Sahelian goats slaughtered at the Kumasi Abattoir. General body characteristics of each animal before and after slaughter; including body length, height at rump and at withers, live weight, whole carcass weight  and dressed carcass weight. Morphometric parameters of the lungs and trachea, including weight, length and width of the lungs and of separate lobes, length and width of the trachea, distance between the trachea bronchus and the tracheal bifurcation were measured. The females exhibited higher values of general body characteristics including body length, height, live weight, whole carcass weight and dressed carcass weight. The  dimensions of the lungs and trachea were comparatively higher in females than in males. The weights of the whole lung, the right lung and the left lung were all higher in females than in males. The right lung of the Sahelian goat was generally larger and contributes 56.72 % of the whole lung; whilst the left lung contributes 43.22 %. With increasing age, the percentage contribution of the right lung to the whole organ increased whilst that  of the left lung decreased. The current study established percentage contribution of lung parts and lobes with reference to the sex and age of  Sahelian goat. Keywords: Sahelian goat, Caprine pneumonia, Respiratory disorders, Lung morphometri

Prevalence, predictors and financial implication of cattle recumbency at the Kumasi Animal Market, Ghana

Livestock are expectedly at one point or the other transported from one place to another for breeding, sale or slaughter. Conditions of handling, loading and transportation, stress encountered during the journey and when off-loading are a major factor of recumbency and/ bruising. A survey on recumbency in cattle was conducted at the animal market of the Kumasi Abattoir Company Limited (KACL) in Kaase, in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area of Ghana. The study involved 7960 cattle transported to the slaughterhouse from local towns in Ghana as well as from neighbouring countries. Recumbent and moribund cattle were identified and information was compiled based on the regions (sources) they were transported from, as well as the varying conditions of their handling and transportation. A total of 109 cases of recumbent and moribund cattle were recorded, with an average of 5 recumbent cases per day. Study results showed that cases of recumbency involved 1.4% of the total number of cattle (7960) counted in the animal market and 5.3% of the number of cattle (2069) transported from sources with registered cases of recumbency. The study also revealed higher frequency of recumbency where animals were transported over long distances of >500km (68%); or in relatively larger batch loads of >20 animals (76%). Calculating at an assumed loss of 50% value for each case of affliction, the financial implication of cattle recumbency at the animal market of the KACL is estimated at a loss of GH₵ 54500 per month or GH₵ 654000 (approx. USD 163500) per annum.Keywords: Cattle recumbency, Slaughterhouses, Transportation, Financial losses, Ghan