A Comparative Study on the Haematology, Biochemical Alterations in Serum Composition and Pathologic Changes in the Kidneys of Cachectic and Non-cachectic Cattle in Zaria, Nigeria

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the haematological, biochemical and kidney pathological changes in cachectic and non cachectic Zebu cattle in Nigeria.

Study Design: A total of 79 cattle were sampled during the study. The number of cachectic and non-cachectic animals varied depending on the parameters analyzed. It was strictly an abattoir-based study.

Place and Duration of the Experiment: Samples were collected at the Zaria abattoir in Nigeria for a period of 6 months and analyzed in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Methodology: Body weight and generalized body condition of the animals were determined. Also, the effect of age and sex on cachexiation was investigated. Whole blood was collected via jugular venipuncture for determination of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, and total and differential leukocyte counts. Serum was processed from the whole blood to determine electrolyte profiles, alanine and aspartate amino transferases (ALT & AST). Urine composition and pathologic changes in the kidneys of cachectic and non cachectic animals were also determined.

Results: The non-cachectic cattle had higher PCV values compared to the cachectic animals, although the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The mean PCVs of the 2 groups were within normal range. The non-cachectic cattle had slightly lower values of neutrophils compared to the cachectic group, although the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The cachectic group showed slightly higher (P>0.05) concentrations of creatinine and higher concentrations of urea (P>0.05) than the non-cachectic group and urinalysis revealed no aciduria, ketonuria or leucocyturia in both cachectic and non cachectic cattle. Similarly, cachectic cattle had increased alkaline phosphatase activity, ALT and AST compared to the non cachectic animals whose values of these enzymes did not vary significantly. Postmortem examination of the carcasses revealed smooth spherical greyish-brown coloured uroliths (stones) in the kidneys of 11 (15%) of the cachectic cattle. The uroliths weighed between 200-700 mg, with a diameter of 5-10 cm. Chemical examination of the uroliths indicated that they contained substances such as ammonium (+), carbonate (++), uric acid (+ and + +), phosphorus (++) and magnesium (+ and ++). Histopathologically, there was intra glomerular cellular infiltration (predominantly lymphocytes and macrophages) for both cachectic and non-cachectic cattle. The cachectic cattle also showed obliterated Bowman’s space and moderate congestion. Nephritis was also observed in the cachectic cattle.

Conclusion: This study is the first to report exhaustively the haematologic, biochemical and pathologic changes in the kidneys of cachectic Zebu cattle presented to the abattoir for slaughter. The study did not investigate the role of season on cachexiation and it is concluded that future studies should focus on the role of seasonal variation on cachexiation.