Gross lesions found in pigs slaughtered in Kapchorwa Municipality, Kapchorwa District, Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Piggery significantly contribute to food security and the socioeconomic empowerment of households in Uganda (Ouma et al 2024). However, various challenges, such as diseases and poor animal welfare, constrain productivity and pose risks to human health. This study aimed to identify gross lesions in pigs slaughtered at Kapchorwa Municipality slaughter house. A cross-sectional study was done and all pigs presented for slaughter on the visitation days constituted the sampling frame for the study. A total of 226 pigs were examined, a number of gross lesions were recorded. Traumatic lesions (49.48%), were the most common lesions recorded. However renal atrophy (0.52%) and hydronephrosis (0.52%) were the list recorded lesions. The traumatic lesions included lacerations, skin ulcers, hematomas and tail bites. The lesions observed in the feet were in sole and coronary bands (36 pigs). they had multifocal swellings, brownish crusts in the sole and coronary band surrounded by reddened areas and some had purulent exudates and thickened skin wall (18.75%). Thoracic wall and lung lesions (5.21%)had multifocal to diffuse greyish covering while some animal’s pleura had a shaggy, yellowish-gray fibrinous exudate, in few pigs there was serosanguinious fluid in thoracic cavity. (10.48%). The intestinal mucosa of the small intestines had multifocal reddened spots, while in some pigs the mesenteric lymph nodes were swollen and edematous (1.04%). in conclusion, pigs slaughtered in Kapchorwa municipality had lesions in several body systems, the most common lesions were traumatic lesions. however, the cause of the lesions was not investigated. the study highlights the need for improvement in animal welfare practices, there is need to do further study to ascertain public safety.