In developing countries, foetal wastage from slaughtered ruminants and the associated economic losses appear to be substantial. However, only a limited number of studies have comprehensively evaluated these trends. In the current study, secondary (retrospective) and primary data were collected and evaluated to estimate the prevalence of foetal wastage from cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at an abattoir in Minna, Nigeria, over a 12-year period (January 2001 – December 2012). Time-series modelling revealed substantial differences in the rate of foetal wastage amongst the slaughtered species, with more lambs having been wasted than calves or kids. Seasonal effects seem to influence rates of foetal wastage and certain months in the year appear to be associated with higher odds of foetal wastage. Improved management systems are suggested to reduce the risk of foetal losses.

Information on the level of foetal wastage in slaughtered cattle in Tanzania is limited. A three-month observational study (April – June 2014) of animals slaughtered at the Tanga abattoir in Tanga region, Tanzania was carried out to determine the number of pregnant cows slaughtered. The total number of cattle slaughtered during the study period was 3643, representing a monthly kill average of 1214 and a daily kill average of 40. Over 98% of the cattle presented to the abattoir for slaughter were local breed (Tanzania shorthorn zebu) and most were above 3 years of age. Improved breeds of cattle represented only 1.3% of all slaughters. Of the cattle slaughtered, 2256 (61.9%) were female and 1387 (38.1%) were male. A total of 655 slaughtered cows were pregnant, representing a foetal wastage of 29.1%. Of the 655 recovered foetuses, 333 (50.8%) were male and 322 (49.2%) were female. Of the recovered foetuses, 25.8% were recovered in the first, 42.7% in the second and 31.6% in the third trimester. This study indicates cases of significant foetal losses, negatively impacting future replacement stock as a result of the slaughter of pregnant animals. The indiscriminate slaughter of pregnant cows suggests that existing animal welfare legislation is not sufficiently enforced and routine veterinary ante-mortem inspection of trade animals is failing to prevent the high level of foetal wastage.

Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate economic loss from liver condemnation due to Fasciolosis in slaughtered ruminants in Maiduguri abattoir, Borno State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: Three hundred (300) livers each of cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered were randomly selected and examined for the presence of Fasciola flukes. The infected livers were weighed and economic value in Nigerian Naira (₦) and US Dollar (US$) were assessed. Results: An overall economic loss of ₦602,400.00 (1,882.50 US$) per annum was incurred during the period under study from a total of 753 kg of liver condemned. Total of 428 kg and 325 kg of liver were condemned during dry and rainy seasons respectively, resulting in higher economic loss of (₦342,400.00; 1,070 US$) in dry season and (₦260,000.00; 812.50 US$) during rainy season. More liver were condemned in the adult cattle (372 kg) than in adult sheep (117 kg) and goats (108 kg) during the period of this study. Conclusion: Ruminant fasciolosis is endemic in Maiduguri, and high economic loss for the farmers and butchers are reported in this study. Strengthening and developing better control methods of fasciolosis in ruminants in Borno State is suggested. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(1.000): 65-70]