The incidence of gastric lesions in slaughtered pigs in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Information about frequency in the occurrence of gastric lesions in pigs slaughtered in Nigeria appears scanty. A random sampling of stomachs of 100 slaughtered pigs from Bodija abattoir, one of the largest abbatoir in south western Nigeria was used for this investigation. The stomachs were examined grossly and the locations of the lesions were noted, tissues were routinely processed and examined histologically. Descriptive statistics and Chi square were employed to analyse data obtained. The predominant lesions observed were those of ulcers with few being nodules of varying sizes and a few erosions. Of the stomachs examined, 11(11%) had acute pin point ulcers while 21(21%) had chronic ulcers. 14(14%) showed healed areas, with nodules while 54(54%) were free from obvious lesions. Majority of the erosions and ulcerations (76%) occurred in the pars oesophagea while the histopathological changes observed are that of ulceration with foci of chronic nodular gastritis and fibrous granulation. There is a possible age predisposition in the occurrence of gastric lesions. The pin point ulcers and chronic nodular gastritis observed showed that most stomach lesions observed in slaughtered pigs in this environment may be due to myriad of factors that need to be further researched on.

Keywords: Erosions, Gastric Lesions, Incidence, Slaughtered pigs, Ulcerations.