Global Veterinaria 13 (3): 278-284, 2014 ISSN 1992-6197 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gv.2014.13.03.8458 Corresponding Author: Nebyou Moje, Hawassa University, School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box: 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia. Tel: +251-910-248878. 278 Major Causes of Organs and Carcass Condemnation in Cattle Slaughtered at Nekemte Municipality Abattoir, East Wollega, Ethiopia Nebyou Moje, Debela Abdeta, Solomon Kebede, Tesema Terfa, 1 2 2 3 Fanta Desissa and Alemayehu Regassa 4 1 Hawassa University, School of Veterinary Medicine, 1 P.O. Box: 05, Hawassa, Ethiopia Wollega University, School of Veterinary Medicine, 2 P.O. Box: 395, Nekemte, Ethiopia Nekemte Manucipal Abattoir, East Wollega Ethiopia 3 Addis Ababa University, SPANA Project, P.O. Box: 34, Bishoftu, Ethiopia 4 Abstract: A cross sectional study was conducted from December 2012 to June 2013 to identify the major causes of organs and carcass condemnation and to estimate the direct financial losses attributed to the condemnation in cattle slaughtered at Nekemte municipal abattoir, East Wollega, Ethiopia. Out of the total 433 randomly selected cattle subjected to antemortem followed by postmortem examination, 104(24.0%) and 272(62.8%) were found to have various types of abnormalities, respectively. Emaciation (4.6 %), branding (12.5%), lameness 14(3.23%) and nasal discharge (35.5%) were the dominant abnormalities observed during antemortem examination. From the total organs and carcasses examined; 180 (41.75%) livers, 67(15.5%) lungs, 7(1.62%) hearts, 5(1.15%) kidneys, 3(0.69%) tongues and 1 (0.23%) carcass were totally condemned while 29 (6.7%, 79kg) carcasses were partially condemned from gross abnormalities (Bruise and abscess) as unfit for human consumption. Major pathological conditions that caused a total condemnation of organs were Hydatid cysts 32(41.1%), Fasciolosis 32(17.8%), Pneumonia 6(9%), emphysema 7(10.4%), hydronephrosis 3(60%), cirrhosis 45(25%), hepatitis 9(5%), calcification 18(10%) and abscessation 2(1.1%). Risk factors associations showed, statistically significant difference (x =36.26; P =0.014) between the origins category (Arjo Gudetu, Uke, Jimma 2 Arjo, Sasiga, Getema, Nekemte) and frequencies of organs and/or carcasses condemned based on overall abnormalities. The annual financial loss due to edible organs condemnation in the study period was estimated to be 106,536.9ETB or 5758.75 USD per annum while that of carcass was 7,110 ETB/384.32USD. These huge losses due to observed abnormalities on affected organs and organs warrant appropriate control measures. Key words: Cattle Financial Loss Antemortem Postmortem Organs Condemnation INTRODUCTION results from death of animals, inferior weight gain, Ethiopian has large number of livestock population This production loss to the livestock industry is estimated in Africa with an estimated 44,318,877 cattle, about to be more than 900-million USD annually [3]. 24- million sheep and 18 million goats [1]. Despite the Knowledge of specific causes of organs and carcass number of population, their potential use is hampered by condemnation is very important to design and apply rampant animal diseases, poor nutrition, poor husbandry, effective control measures, improve animal husbandry and poor infrastructure and shortage of trained man power avoid some losses related to preventable diseases [4]. and other constraints [2]. Each year a significant loss Data gathered on animals slaughtered at abattoir can be condemnation of edible organs and carcass at slaughter.