Survey on major diseases affecting dairy cattle in Bahir Dar Dairy farms, North Western Ethiopia

Abstract

This explanatory survey was conducted in Bahir Dar dairy farms from May 2014 to January 2015 to assess major diseases and mortality of dairy cattle in Bahirdar, Ethiopia. A single-visit-multiple subject formal survey technique was used to collect data from 79 small-scale dairy farming households were selected by using simple random sampling technique and was interviewed using pre-tested, structured questionnaire. Dairy cows were managed in closed houses with different floor type, wall type and roof type. Also they were managed under zero grazing in Bahir Dar dairy farms and semi grazing practice around Bahir Dar dairy farms. Internal parasite (13.8%), Anthrax (6.9%), Lumpy skin disease (6.9%), Bloating (5.2%) and Black leg (3.4%) were identified as the most frequently occurring diseases in the study area. Overall mortality of calves, heifers, cows and bulls over the last 12 months was 0.506 + 0.272, 0.038 + 0.192, 0.139 + 0.524 and 0.025 + 0.158, respectively. Therefore, there should be improved animal husbandry practices and veterinary services to alleviate cattle health constraint in the study area.