Association between the Prevalence of Indigestible Foreign Objects in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Slaughtered Cattle and Body Condition Score

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe South African national cattle herd has increased from 6 million head since the 1970s to 14 million and more than two-thirds of the 14 million cattle in South Africa reside in the Eastern Cape Province (ECP), yet the Province has one of the highest poverty indexes. While this improvement is commendable, there are still many challenges to efficient livestock production notably infectious and non-infectious diseases. Many non-infectious diseases of the fore-stomach, such as rumenitis, rumen parakeratosis, traumatic reticuloperitonitis and poly bezoars, are rarely reported, but are known to obstruct the digestive functions of the fore-stomach, causing a marked reduction in animal weight, reproduction, feed absorption and productivity, and death. The pathogenesis of these diseases often begins with the consumption of indigestible foreign objects (IFOs). Animal husbandry in the ECP is mostly communal, with an extensive system of rearing animals as the most popular production system. This system of rearing animals exposes them to consumption of litter, especially when there is drought. This study provides knowledge on the prevalence, type and effect of the indigestible foreign object on the body condition score of animals slaughtered in the ECP.AbstractIt is estimated that South Africa’s population will be above 65 million in 2050. Thus, food production needs to triple to alleviate poverty and food insecurity. However, infectious and non-infectious diseases affect livestock productivity, thereby hampering food supply. Non-infectious disease/conditions caused by the consumption of solid waste material are rarely reported. Hence, this study investigates the occurrence and type of indigestible foreign objects (IFOs) in the stomach of slaughtered cattle in two high-throughput abattoirs (n = 4424) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study revealed that metallic and non-metallic indigestible objects had an overall prevalence of 63% in cattle slaughtered in Queenstown abattoir (QTA, (n = 1906)) and 64.8% at the East London abattoir (ELA, (n = 2518)). Most of the IFOs were found in the rumen (64.2% and 70.8%) and reticulum (28.5% and 20.6%) at QTA and ELA respectively. The leading IFOs in the stomach of cattle at QTA were plastics (27.7%), poly bezoars (10.7%) and ropes (10.7%), while poly bezoars (19.8%), ropes (17.6%) and stones (10.7%) were the main IFOs seen in cattle at ELA. The study showed a statistical significance (p < 0.05) between body condition score and the prevalence of indigestible objects in cattle. The study concluded that litter and waste containing IFOs could pose a threat to livestock health and productivity. The practice of good animal husbandry and efficient solid waste management will mitigate the problem of animals consuming IFOs.

Prevalence of indigestible foreign bodies and its associated potential risk factors in rumen and reticulum of domestic ruminants at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir

“…In the current study, the highest record of indigestible foreign bodies was plastics (43.98%) in different stomach compartments of animals. This finding was in line with several findings from another nearby region of Ethiopia (Abebe & Nuru, 2011; Roman & Hiwot, 2010; Tesfaye, Yismaw, & Demissie, 2012), Nigeria (Nongcula et al., 2017; Remi‐Adewunmi et al., 2004). This may be due to less biodegradability of the synthetic plastic materials, negligent disposal and less availability of industry for recycling in the study areas.…”

“…(118/384). This finding was higher than the studies reported by Tes- (Abebe & Nuru, 2011;Roman & Hiwot, 2010;Tesfaye, Yismaw, & Demissie, 2012), Nigeria (Nongcula et al, 2017;Remi-Adewunmi et al, 2004). This may be due to less biodegradability of the synthetic plastic materials, negligent disposal and less availability of industry for recycling in the study areas.…”

Optimizing Silage Strategies for Sustainable Livestock Feed: Preserving Retail Food Waste

“…To scale up silage production from FW, a mechanized and effective means of removing plastic packaging would be required, as plastic would interfere with the ensiling process and be detrimental to livestock health. Large pieces of plastic in the feed may lead to blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, internal injuries, and potentially livestock death [24]. In contrast, microplastics may bioaccumulate and negatively impact livestock health, growth, or reproduction as well as being potentially transferred to humans consuming the animal products [25].…”

Ultrasonography, Clinical and Haemato-biochemical Evaluation of Rumino-cutaneous Fistula in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

“…The significant increase in body temperature in affected buffaloes was linked to bacterial endotoxin and cytokine release due to bacterial infection (Aref and Abdel-Hakiem, 2013). In the affected buffalo, the substantial increase in respiratory and heart rates appeared due to the effect of elevated blood temperatures on the respiratory center and blood pressure (Omid and Mozaffari, 2014;Nongcula et al, 2017).…”