Incidence and Pattern of Pneumonia in Goats Slaughtered at the Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the incidence and pattern of pneumonia in slaughtered goats in Kumasi abattoir, Ghana. One 
thousand three hundred and fifty lungs of goats; (1,012 Sahelian and 338 West Africa Dwarf goats (WAD) lungs) of different 
ages (less than a year to above 4 years) were used in this study. The frequency of occurrence of pneumonia, the degree of 
consolidation as a percentage of the total lung volume and histological assessment were determined by standard techniques. Fifty 
five (55) lungs (39 Sahelian, 16 WAD goats) were pneumonic (4.07% prevalence). The right lungs had a significant higher 
average lung consolidation percentage (19.11) while the right cranial lobes were more affected (9.37). WAD goats of 1-2 years 
are mostly affected with an average percentage consolidation of 11.73% while Sahelian goats above 4 years of age were the most 
affected with 32.59% consolidation. Does of both breeds were more affected while Sahelian goats had higher consolidation than 
the other breed. Histological examination revealed the presence of giant cell, fibrinous and suppurative bronchointerstitial 
pneumonia suggesting complicated viral pneumonia which was observed to be the most important caprine pneumonia in 
slaughtered goats in Ghana. Transportation and pregnancy stress were the major contributory factor to the pneumonia observed 
hence effective ante-mortem examinations will help to minimize the slaughter of pregnant does and transportation stress in 
Ghana.