Health problems associated with production of dairy cows in peri-urban areas of Lusaka, Zambia
Ahmadu, B.; Chiluba, W.P.; Chilonda, P.
Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa 50(2): 68-74
2002
Document Number: 275455
The prevalence of 8 economically important production-related health problems and twinning were estimated in 22 dairy herds in periurban areas of Lusaka Province, Zambia between February and August 1998. The total number of cows in the 22 herds was 1625 with an average herd size of 74+or-4 cows. It was shown that nearly 65% of the cows were affected by at least one of the health problems or twinning. The prevalence of mastitis was 8.4%, lameness 4.1%, cows treated for oestrus-not-observed was 15.6%, milk fever was 1.6% and retained placental membranes affected 7.6% of the animals. Vulval discharge was observed in 17.6%, while the prevalence of twinning was recorded in 1.4% of the animals. Calf mortality claimed 4.4% of the calves born during the period under investigation. The number of cows given calving assistance was 3.9%. The quantity of milk lost through discarding as a result of mastitis was estimated at 20 000 litres, representing a loss of only 0.30% of the total revenue derived from milk sales. The interrelations between the health problems are also discussed.