A cross-sectional study on the prevalence and associated risk factors of Rumen and Reticulum foreign bodies of cattle slaughtered at Wolaita Sodo Municipal abattoir, SNNPRS, Ethiopia

The objective of present study was to determine prevalence of rumen and reticulum foreign bodies, type of foreign bodies and associated risk factors at Wolaita Sodo Municipal Abattoir, Ethiopia. Ante mortem and postmortem examination was done for assessment of age, sex, body condition and recovery of foreign bodies respectively. From total of 384 cattle examined 66 (17.02%) were found positive for the occurrence of foreign bodies. The results showed statistically significant difference (p< 0.05) in prevalence among different sexes, age groups and body condition scores and higher prevalence was observed in female (20.7%), old animals (19.8%) and medium body conditioned (23.3%) animals respectively. Therefore sex, age, and body condition score can be considered as potential risk factors and it was concluded that continued awareness creation should be instituted to avoid the risk of foreign body ingestion by animals and appropriate solid waste disposal system need to implement in the study area.