Quantitative Analysis Of Abattoir Slaughtering Of Animals In Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abattoir survey was conducted to determine the trends, volume and value of food animals slaughtered in twenty local government areas of Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria from 1999 to 2002. A total of 151,303 animals comprising of 38,946 (25.7%) cattle; 39,392 (26%) goats; 11,758 (7.8%) sheep; 24,449 (16.2%) pigs, and 36,758 (24.3%) dogs were slaughtered in the state during the period under review. Male/female ratios of 3.1:1, 3:1, 2.7:1, 2.7:1, and 3:1 were obtained for cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and dogs, respectively. Findings revealed that 32.8% of the animals were slaughtered in 1999 while 37.9% were slaughtered in 2000. However a lower percentage (12.8%) was slaughtered in 2001. Three peak periods of demand for cattle were in 1999, 2000 and 2002; two for goats: 1999 and 2000: one for sheep: 2000; two for pigs: 1999 and 2000, and two for dogs: 1999 and 2000. Meat inspection activities in the state translated to a revenue of 3.07 million Naira within the period of study, although this can be improved. It was concluded that cattle, goats and pigs are the most popular food animals in the state with dog meat providing a good alternative source of animal protein requirements for the populace. Key words: Abattoir, Akwa Ibom, Returns, Local government Journal Of Agriculture And Social Research Vol. 5 (1) 2005: 118-12

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

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: 59-6