Incidence of puerperal metritis and associated risk factors in dairy cows in Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia.

Metritis has considerable economic impact on dairy herd profitability due largely to reduced reproductive performance. Studies in Ethiopia only report prevalence, with no available data on the incidence of metritis. The present prospective cohort study aimed to estimate the incidence of puerperal metritis, identify risk factors, and isolate the causative bacteria in dairy cows in Hawassa.

Sero-epidemiological study of brucellosis in cattle under pastoral/agro-pastoral and mixed crop-livestock systems in South Omo, southern Ethiopia.

Background: In the pastoral/agro-pastoral communities in Ethiopia, like in South Omo, brucellosis constitutes a serious health threat for livestock and the public. The public health risk is especially high in these communities, as their way of life is highly linked with their herds.

Objective: The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence and identify potential risk factors of cattle brucellosis in South Omo zone in southern Ethiopia.

Evaluation of the effect of therapeutic durations on small ruminant bacterial pneumonia.

Background: Sheep and goat production in Ethiopia is hindered by numerous substandard production systems and various diseases. Respiratory disease complexes (RDC) pose a significant threat to the productivity of these animals. Pneumonia is a common manifestation of respiratory disease complexes and often necessitates a prolonged course of antibiotic treatment.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) infection in dairy cattle in southern and central Ethiopia.

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) is an important pathogen of cattle with a worldwide distribution. It occurs as a subclinical, mild or severe disease. The clinical signs may vary widely with respiratory, genital, ocular and encephalomyelitis form.

Seroprevalence and association of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) serostatus with reproductive problems in dairy cattle in central and southern Ethiopia.

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is an economically important cattle disease with worldwide distribution and characterized mainly by suboptimal fertility in the affected herds. The objectives of this study were to estimate the seroprevalence of BVDV within dairy cattle, to identify potential risk factors, and to assess the association with occurrence of reproductive problems. Sera (n = 954) collected from dairy cattle from 98 herds in southern and central Ethiopia were tested for BVDV antibodies using a commercial ELISA.

Coprological study of trematode infections and associated host risk factors in cattle during the dry season in and around Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors associated with trematode infections in cattle in and around Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia. Fecal samples collected from randomly selected 369 cattle were examined using simple sedimentation technique for differential trematode eggs count. The animals were found shedding eggs of three groups of trematodes, namely spp.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection in dairy cattle in three milksheds in Ethiopia.

This work was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence, to identify potential factors that influence seroprevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and to investigate the association between BVDV serostatus and occurrence of reproductive disorders in dairy cattle in three milksheds in Ethiopia. A total of 1379 serum samples were obtained from cattle randomly selected from 149 herds from three milksheds representing central, southern, and western Ethiopia. Sera samples were examined for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) antibodies using commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

Characterization of Salmonella isolated from apparently healthy slaughtered cattle and retail beef in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia.

The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence, serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serotypes in slaughtered cattle, slaughterhouse environment and retail beef. Cecal content (CC), mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen and carcass swab (CS) samples (each, n=150) were collected from 150 cattle slaughtered at Hawassa municipality slaughterhouse. Floor swab specimens (SHFS) were collected on 11 occasions from the slaughterhouse, and 100 beef samples were collected from 100 butcher shops.

Major causes of mastitis and associated risk factors in smallholder dairy farms in and around Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2008 to May 2009 in smallholder dairy farms in and around Hawassa to estimate the prevalence of mastitis, to isolate and characterize major bacterial pathogens, and to identify possible associated factors. The study involved a total of 201 milking cows randomly drawn from smallholder farms. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis was determined through clinical examination of the udder and using mastitis indicator paper (Bovivet indicator paper, Kruuse, Denmark).

Survey of ixodid ticks in domestic ruminants in Bedelle district, Southwestern Ethiopia.

A survey aimed at determining the status of ticks in cattle, sheep and goats in Bedelle district (Southwestern Ethiopia) was carried out from November 2007 to April 2008. Out of the total 330 animals examined, 314 (95.2%) were found to be infested (harbouring of at least a single tick).