Major Causes of Organ Condemnation and Economic Significance in Cattle Slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia

Background: A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 in Hawassa Municipal abattoir. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of organ condemnation and to assess the economic loss in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir due to organ condemnation during meat inspection. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted and simple random sampling technique was employed. A total of 399 cattle were included in the study. Standard postmortem examination procedures were followed throughout the study period. Results: Out of the total 399 cattle examined by ante mortem inspection 125(31.31%) having various types of abnormalities: rough hair coat 26 (6.52%), lacrimation 22 (5.5%), nasal discharge 21 (5.26%), branding 20(1.25%), salivation 19(4.76%), localized swelling 15 (3.76%), lameness 9(2.25%), fracture 3(0.75%), wart 3 (0.75%), and coughing 2(0.50). The study revealed that 149(38.3%) liver, 177(44.4%) lung, 31(7.8%) kidney and 33(8.3%) tongue were rejected due to parasitic and pathological lesion. The Major diseases and/or pathological conditions that cause a total condemnation were Fasciolosis 64(16%), Calcification 35(8.8%), Hydatid cyst 25(6.3%), Cirrhosis 8(2%), Fibrosis 17(4.3%) for liver; Hydatid cyst 84(21.1%), Emphysema 31(7.8%), Pneumonia 32(8.0%), Atelectasis 20(5%), and Hepatization 10(2.5%), for lung; Hydatid cyst18(4.5%) and Hydronephrosis13(3.3%) for kidney; Cysticercus bovis17(4.3%), and Abscess 16(4.0%) for tongue. An annual direct financial loss due to the rejection of organ from local market is approximately estimated as 48,159,090 ETB was incurred from the study edible organ. Conclusion and recommendations: The result of this study provided regional information on major causes of organ condemnation in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal abattoir and direct financial loss due to organ condemnation. In conclusion, the findings from present study used to determine the major causes of organ condemnation and associated economic loss. The current result suggests that thorough investigation that leads to a disease control policy is required to reduce the economic and public health constraints.