Detection of indigestible foreign bodies in the Rumen and Reticulum of Cattle and Camels

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 University of Maiduguri,

2 University of Maiduguri

Abstract

Foreign body lodgments in domestic animals’ stomach as a result of pollution-related predispositions are becoming a big issue to livestock farming. Such lodgments have been implicated among common causes of sudden death in animals and its attendant economic losses. The present study investigated foreign body ingestion syndrome in cattle and camels. Equal number of cattle and camels of both sexes slaughtered at Maiduguri abattoir were used in the present study. Fore stomachs of both species were opened and all contents were thoroughly scrutinized for the presence of foreign bodies. The study divulged an overall prevalence of 24.9 % of foreign bodies in both cattle and camels fore-stomachs. This finding is of great concern because of the serious impacts on economic losses resulting from attendant high morbidity and mortality rates. Polythene leather, plastic, bits of cloth, various seed, hardwood, and ropes were the most prevalent form of foreign bodies found in the rumen and reticulum of affected cattle and camels. Overall prevalence percent of foreign bodies recovered was higher in cattle compared to camel. This was attributed to differences in their feeding habits. However foreign body lodgments and distribution pattern in rumen and reticulum were similar in both species. It was concluded that foreign body ingestion syndrome exists in both cattle and camel populations in this region and that cattle carry more risk factor compared to camel. In conclusions, polluting the environment with plastic bags and other indigestible objects causes health issues for free-ranging cattle and camels.

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