Abstract

Disease prevalence in ruminants constitutes a serious impediment to livestock production in Nigeria. Records of common cattle diseases prevalent in Zaria are pertinent for effective control programmes. Knowledge of the extent to which the public is exposed to zoonotic diseases through meat consumption is useful in preventive medicine. The slaughter house in Zango-Zaria was visited between January and September, 2008 to obtain information on pathological conditions found in cattle slaughtered during the same period. A total of 7812 cattle were examined. Fascioliosis constituted 23.41%, haemonchosis 11.61%, pericarditis 17.06%, pneumonia 8.79%, liver cirrhosis 10.41%, fracture 6.50%, pulmonary emphysema 4.71% and abscesses in liver, lungs and kidneys 4.55% of the pathological conditions noted. Seasonality trend of some conditions was noted, that is streptothricosis was highest in July, abscesses in September, liver cirrhosis in April and emaciation and haemonchosis, pneumonia and pericarditis occurred mostly in June. Of the 5758 organs having lesions, 598 whole organs were totally condemned. The number of carcasses partially condemned was 5160. The results highlight the need for improved meat inspection practices at abattoirs and awareness of butchers and cattle traders.