Abstract
Diseases are the major detriment in ruminant production and productivity in the study districts. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the major animal health constraints of ruminants. 461 species of sick ruminants were examined and diagnosed tentatively. Similarly, samples were collected and identified in the laboratory for confirmation of the cases. Of the clinically identified ruminant diseases, sheep and goat pox (11.93%), abortion (8.24%), pasteurellosis (8.46%), lice infestation (9.98%), tick infestation (5.86%), and flea infestation (5.21%) accounted for higher values. The proportion of infectious, non-infectious, ectoparasitic infestation, and reproductive diseases among clinically sick ruminants was 51.63, 9.97, 26.25, and 12.15%, respectively. The higher ectoparasitic infestation in the study district was lice infestation (38.02%) followed by tick (22.31%), flea (19.83%), mange mite (11.57%), and leech infestation (8.26%). The reproductive problems encountered were abortion (67.86%), retained placenta (25%), and dystocia (7.14%). The most prevalent infectious diseases encountered were sheep and goat pox (23.11), pastuerellosis (16.39), gastrointestinal tract parasitism (13.03), and anthrax (6.30). The most encountered non-infectious diseases were abscess (28.26) and bloat (17.39). In conclusion, infectious diseases and external parasites cause serious economic loss in the study districts. So, regular surveillance of animal disease coupled with vaccination of animals with available vaccines, regular spraying of acaricides and more importantly, public awareness in prevention and control of major livestock diseases in the districts is recommended. Key words: Clinical survey, Kola Tembien, ruminants, Tanqua Abergelle.
Highlights
Thirty ruminant diseases were identified in districts of Tanqua Abergelle and Kola Tembien from 461 clinical sick animals which were presented to Yechila and Abi Adi veterinary open air clinics
Of the 30 clinically identified ruminant diseases, sheep and goat pox, abortion, pasturellosis, lice infestation, tick infestation and flea infestation accounted for the higher values in both districts with relative percentile of 11.93, 8.24, 8.46, 9.98, 5.86, and 5.21%, respectively
The study reveals that sheep and goat pox, abortion, pasteurellosis, lice infestation, tick infestation and flea infestation were the major animal health constraints of ruminants in the study districts
Summary
The livestock subsector has an enormous contribution to Ethiopian national economy and livelihoods of many Ethiopians. It contributes about 16.5% of national gross domestic product (GDP) and 35.6% of the agricultural GDP. It contributes 15% export earnings and 30% of agricultural employment (Leta and Mesele, 2014). Despite huge livestock population and existing favorable environmental conditions, the current livestock output of the country is little. This is associated with a number of factors. In Ethiopia, the aggregate annual economic losses from animal diseases through direct mortality and reduced productive and reproductive performance were estimated at US$150 million (Berhanu, 2002)
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