1. AN INVESTIGATION ON THE MAJOR CAUSES OFCALF MORTALITY AT A DAIRY FARM IN KABETE AREA (2014)
INVESTIGATOR: Mwangi Alice Wambui (2014)
REGISTRATION NUMBER: J30/3035/2003
SUPERVISOR
1. DR. T.O. ABOUM
2. Dr. P.A. OKUMU
ABSTRACT
Calf mortality has great economic impact on the dairy and also the beef industry in Kenya. The aim of this study was to evaluate the major causes of calf mortality at Kanyariri dairy farm in Kabete area and the trends of occurrence emphasizing on seasonality, breed and aetiology based on analysis of data from post mortem records between the period The material used comprised of a set of data that was collected from the post mortem records at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology. The results of this study revealed calf mortality was85/545 (0.155%) of all the cases reported at the post mortem room between the year 2003 to the year Mortality occurred frequently in females 60% (51/85) than males 40% (34/85) and were more common in Friesians % (53/85) than the other breeds 1.18%(1/85). The most affected body systems were the respiratory system and the digestive system. The major causes of death was also analysed and the results revealed that pneumonia % (22/85) and diarrhoea 20% (17/85).Other causes included Emaciation 11.76%, helminthosis 8.42% (7/85) and trauma due to manipulative delivery 5.88% (5/85)