Economic losses due to abscesses and/or vaccine granulomas in carcasses of cattle slaughtered in Roraima state, Brazil

Abstract

Beef production has been growing in Roraima state, Brazil, in recent years. As a result, poor sanitary management and final product quality have caused economic losses due to inappropriate vaccine use. Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating the economic losses caused by vaccine reactions due to abscesses and/or granulomas in cattle carcasses from slaughterhouses under veterinary inspection in Roraima. The study was carried out from August 2017 to July 2018, in a slaughterhouse, evaluating cattle carcass injuries. A total of 277 carcasses with vaccine reactions were identified, 57.03% with granulomatous lesions and 42.97% abscessive lesions, representing an economic loss of R$ 2,105.20. In regard to lesion location, there was a predominance on the side of the neck (91.34%). There was a statistical difference between the type of injury and carcass weight (P<0.05). The municipalities of Cantá, Caracaraí, Iracema and Rorainópolis showed a statistical difference in granuloma frequency for abscesses, demonstrating probable adequate vaccination management. The information obtained can be used to alert sanitary defense and public health services, through disease control programs for the state’s cattle herd. It is expected that these programs could improve final product quality, thereby reducing the economic losses of producers.