Gross and Histological Kidney Changes in Goats Slaughtered at Zaria Abattoir, Kaduna State

Post-mortem examination of organs at abattoirs provides epidemiological data on subclinical diseases affecting livestock populations that may not otherwise be detected before slaughter. Renal pathology in small ruminants can result from infectious, toxic, and nutritional causes and may contribute to unseen production losses. This study documented gross and histopathological renal lesions in goats slaughtered at the Zaria Abattoir in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. Kidneys were collected from 100 randomly selected goat carcasses and examined grossly for changes in colour, size, texture, and surface appearance. Representative tissue samples were fixed in 10 percent neutral buffered formalin, processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 micrometres, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Gross lesions were detected in 37 percent of kidneys examined. Common findings included pale foci consistent with infarction in 14 percent, cortical petechiae in 11 percent, and whitish deposits suggesting urolithiasis-related pyelonephritis in 8 percent. Histopathological examination revealed interstitial nephritis in 29 percent, glomerulonephritis in 16 percent, and tubular degeneration in 22 percent of sections examined. Verminous nephritis consistent with Stephanurus dentatus involvement was identified in four specimens. These findings indicate a high prevalence of renal pathology in apparently healthy goats presented for slaughter in Zaria, with implications for food safety and herd health management in the region. Keywords: renal pathology, goats, abattoir, histopathology, Zaria.