Prevalence of indigestible foreign bodies and its associated potential risk factors in rumen and reticulum of domestic ruminants at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir

BACKGROUND: Nowadays ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies poses serious economic loss to domestic ruminants, especially in a developing country. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to determine the prevalence of indigestible foreign bodies in the forestomach of domestic ruminants slaughtered at Bishoftu Elfora Export Abattoir and its associated potential risk factors and identify the location and type of these indigestible foreign bodies. STUDY ANIMALS: On 384 domestic ruminants (171 goats, 125 sheep and 88 cattle) presented for slaughter from different zones of the region. METHODS: Cross‐sectional study design was conducted from May 2021 to September 2021. Each animal was subjected to ante‐mortem and post‐mortem inspection by providing a unique identification number. For post‐mortem examination, the forestomach was carefully removed from the abdominal cavity. For the positives, the location was properly recorded, washed, identified and photographed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of indigestible foreign bodies in domestic ruminants was 30.73% (118/384). Of these, 32.75% (56/171), 28% (35/125) and 30.68% (27/88) were recorded in goats, sheep and cattle, respectively, without statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Aged domestic ruminants 39.3% (33/84) had poor body conditions 38.98% (23/59), originated from the Borena zone 42.11% (16/38) and were relatively recorded with higher prevalence. From the forestomach compartments, the indigestible foreign bodies were majorly found in rumen 86.43% (102/118) and reticulum 13.56% (16/118) with a statistical difference (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies mainly during the dry season due to shortage of forage, less biodegradable and negligent waste disposal like plastic bags attribute environmental and animal health problems and pose loss to the national economy.