European Journal of Applied Sciences 10 (4): 104-111, 2018 ISSN 2079-2077 © IDOSI Publications, 2018 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ejas.2018.104.111 Corresponding Author: Biruk Alemu Basore, Veterinary Drug and Animal Feed Administration and Control Authority, P.O. Box 31303, Hawassa, Ethiopia. Tel: +251916140348. E-mail: babirukem@gmail.com. 104 Gross Pathological Abnormalities and Related Economic Loss in Slaughtered Cattle at Dire Dawa Municipal Abattoir, Eastern Ethiopia Biruk Alemu Basore, Tariku Geinoro Alleyo and Bekele Tolera 1 1 2 Veterinary Drug and Animal Feed Administration and Control Authority, P.O. Box 31303, Hawassa, Ethiopia 1 College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 301, Haramaya, Ethiopia 2 Abstract: In Ethiopia, the meat production is not satisfactory due to the condemnation of organs at abattoirs that leads to the associated economic losses. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to April 2018 with the attempt to determine the gross pathological abnormalities that cause organ and carcass condemnation, associated risk factors and financial loss in Dire Dawa Municipal abattoir. Out of the total 700 cattle slaughtered, 292 (41.7%) of them had various types of abnormalities such as emaciation 84 (28.8%), branding 50 (17.2%), tick infestation 40 (13.7%), lacrimation 30 (10.3%), lameness 16 (5.5%), Local swelling (5.13%), depression 14 (4.79%), Nasal discharge 12 (4.1%), Salivation 10 (3.4%), blindness 10 (3.4%), Diarrhea 8 (2.7%) and Itching 3 (1.02%) at anti mortem inspection. The postmortem examination revealed that 140 (59.32%) liver, 68 (28.811%) lungs, 19 (8.05%) hearts, 4 (1.7%) spleen, 2 (0.85%) kidneys, 2 (0.85%) GIT and 1 (0.42%) carcass were totally condemned due to gross pathological abnormalities. Hydatidosis and fasciolasis were the commonest causes for the organ condemnation with the frequency of 42.37% and 17.4% respectively. However, TB was the only pathological condition which causes total condemnation of the carcass (0.42%).The rate of organ condemnation was higher on cattle having poor body condition (39.3%) than fat (37.5%) and the adults (53.6%) than youngs (23.21) and old cattle (23.21). So the relationship of body condition and age in respect with the infected organs had a significant difference (P<0.05). Due to considered pathological conditions and health problems in the area, the significant annual economic losses estimated were 217, 700, 000 Eth birr. In Conclusion, the results identified various gross pathological abnormalities that cause organ condemnation and the related economic importance in the area. Therefore, it is necessary to create awareness for the concerning bodies about routine follow-up of animal health, good handling of animals during transportation, the public health significance of diseases of animal origin and the related losses. Key words: Financial Losses Organ Condemnations Pathological Abnormalities Risk Factors INTRODUCTION traditional management system, limited genetic potential, In Ethiopia, livestock is source of food (milk, meat Services. Due to these and related factors, every year and eggs), draught power, fertilizer and fuel, cash income significant economic losses result from condemnation of and wealth accumulation (living bank) at producers’ edible organs and carcass are estimated from different household levels. At the national level, livestock is the parts of the country. In spite of large livestock population, source of industrial raw materials (milk, meat, hides and the productivity remains marginal due mainly to skins) and high value protein to urban consumers [1]. malnutrition, prevalent diseases and management Ethiopia has large livestock population in Africa with an problems. The rate of food production is much degraded estimate of 49 million heads of cattle, 23, 619, 720 sheep than the rate of growth of human population. Therefore, and 23, 325, 113 of goats [2]. However, their constraints the country is unable to assure adequate food for the that hindered the potential of livestock production include people [3, 4]. lack of appropriate disease control policy and veterinary