Causes of dromedary (Camelus dromedaries) carcass and organ condemnation at slaughter and its economic importance: 5-year retrospective study, Isfahan province, Iran

Abstract

A 5-year retrospective study in dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in abattoirs was carried out in Isfahan province, central Iran to identify the major causes for condemnation of carcasses and viscera. The economic importance of lost meat and offal also were estimated. Between April 2014 and April 2019, 17,336 dromedaries were slaughtered in the study area; the lungs of 4,002 (23.08 %, Mean ± SEM: 27.27 ± 2.2), the livers of 1,726 (9.96 %, Mean ± SEM: 13.65 ± 1.42), the carcasses of 46 (0.27 %, Mean ± SEM: 0.37 ± 0.06) and the kidneys of 113 (0.65 %, Mean ± SEM: 0.75 ± 0.11) of these animals were condemned. More organs and carcasses were condemned in spring (43.71 %) and winter (39.35 %) than in summer or autumn (p < 0.001). Condemnation of lungs and livers was primarily attributed to cystic echinococcosis with a rate of 22.49 % and 8.92 %, respectively. In contrast, carcasses and kidneys were condemned for non-parasitic causes related to cachexia (0.16 %) and nephritis (0.37 %), respectively. Parasitic and non-parasitic causes were respectively responsible for 31.43 % and 2.53 % of all condemned organs and carcasses, with a retail value (based on market prices in 2019) of RIAL 4,977,200,000 (USD 35,551.42) and RIAL 2,283,800,000 (USD 16,312.85), respectively. The findings of this study provide baseline data for future monitoring to assess the impact of education and training. In addition, the data on the cost of these infections at slaughter can be used in education programs to encourage changes in management which also could impact overall health of the dromedaries.