TRAUMATIC INJURIES SUSTAINED BY CATTLE TRANSPORTED TO AKINYELE INTERNATIONAL CATTLE MARKET, IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Poor transportation systems and handling has resulted in several traumatic injuries of livestock in Nigeria. Cattle auction for sale at several markets have been identified with one injury or the other. However, there is paucity of information on the injuries sustained by cattle during transportation in Nigeria. Therefore, the study was designed to identify the different Traumatic injuries sustained when transported to Akinyele International Cattle Market Ibadan. The study was carried out for a period of five consecutive weeks (Monday-Sunday) between the period of 7.00am – 7.00pm. Direct observation with the aid of checklist was used to obtain information on Traumatic Injuries (Twisted Neck-TN, Injured Horn-IH, Injured Leg-IL and Bruised Skin-BS) sustained by cattle in Transit. The study revealed that a total number of 11,635 cattle were transported to the study area out of which 432 cattle had TN, 100 IH, 195 IL and 1579 BS. Of the 432 cattle with TN, most were females (67.4%) with the RedBororo (38.9%) mostly affected. Male and female cattle had same percentage of IH (50) with the highest among the Sokoto Gudali male (21%) and the least White Fulani female (10%). About 60% of the cattle with IL were males with the Redbororo mostly injures and the least White Fulani (11.3%). Most of the cattle with BS were females (68.5%). Sokoto Gudali (37.9%) were mostly affected while the Red Bororo were the least affected (30.7 %.) The study revealed that cattle with Bruised skin the common injury sustained and the least is the injured Horn.