The epidemiology of ruminal and reticular foreign bodies among cattle slaughtered at Lira and Soroti city abattoirs

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted on cattle slaughtered at Lira and Soroti city abattoirs from September to November 2022 to determine the prevalence, types and quantity of foreign bodies in rumen and reticulum. The research took a quantitative approach. Ante mortem and Postmortem examinations were employed during this study. Frequencies (percentages) for categorical variables were calculated and chi-square test used for comparison. From a total of 390 (159 females and 231 male) cattle examined, 187(47.9%) of the examined animals turned positive of foreign bodies while 203 (52.1%) were negative. There was a higher prevalence (62%) of foreign bodies in female than in male cattle (38%). A higher percentage (53%) of foreign bodies were found in crossed bred animals compared to 47% found in indigenous. From the three age groups examined, the prevalence was higher (59.3%) in animals in the old age group than the adult (41.2%) and younger groups (20.6%). Foreign bodies were recorded in greater percentage (80%) in animals with poor body condition than those with moderate (59%), good (49%), fat (34%) and grossly fat (33%) body condition. Similarly, higher percentages (48%) were found in animals managed extensively than those kept under semi-intensive system (42%). Much of the foreign bodies lodged in the rumen (90%) than in the reticulum (10%). Plastics (31.6%) were recovered as the most common foreign bodies and followed by cloths (16%), sac thread (12.3%), leather pieces (11.2%), rope (8%), hair balls (7.5%), nails (7%), wire (4.8%) and needle (1.6%). It is concluded that the discovery of this level of occurrence of foreign bodies in cattle have great health and economic significance associated with high mortality and morbidity, reduced production and productivity. Therefore, awareness should be created on careless disposal of foreign materials as well as the periodical cleaning of these wastes in the grazing to prevent health risk of ruminants and also to protect the environment. Furthermore, these risks can also be avoided by prevention of nutritional deficiencies. Strict legislations regarding the proper disposal of wastes from households and factories should be applied to reduce pollution of the environment. Keywords: Abattoir, Lira, Soroti, cattle, foreign body, reticulum, rumen, prevalence.