STUDIES ON GENITAL DISORDERS OF COWS SLAUGHTERED AT ZURU, KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

In a survey carried out between April and December, 2003 to investigate the incidence of reproductive pathology among cows slaughtered at Zuru central abattoir and some selected slaughter slabs within Zuru emirate, Kebbi State, a total of 84(16.8%) abnormalities were recorded from 500 female genitalia examined. The incidence of various abnormalities observed included bilateral Ovarian follicular cysts (1.6%), Endometritis (0.4%), Uterine hypoplasia (1.0%), Pyometra(1.2%), Ovarian tumour (0.2%), Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (0.4%), Para ovarian cyst (0.2%), Vulvo-vaginitis (1.6%), Salpingitis (2.0%), Ovarian abscess (0.2%), Ovarian agenesis (2.0%) and vulva tick infestation (6.0%). From this study, tick infestation of the vulva ranked the highest genital pathological condition recorded and the ticks were identified as Boophilus spp. This was closely followed by Salpingitis and Ovarian agenesis. These conditions most times result into conception failures, abortions or still births, situations that often lead to the culling of the animals by their owners. It is suggested that timely medical interventions to diagnose and treat these genital disorders will however save some of these economic losses. This study provides information on the diseases affecting reproductive tracts as well as their adverse effects and significance in cattle production and breeding in Nigeria. It recommends a close watch on the cattle industry by relevant stake holders with a view to preventing unwarranted slaughter of viable cows erroneously believed to be unproductive.