Survey of Renal Lesions in Cattle at Akure Abattoir, Ondo State, South West Nigeria

Renal diseases in slaughter cattle represent a significant cause of organ condemnation at Nigerian abattoirs, with implications for economic losses and public health assurance. This cross-sectional study surveyed the prevalence and pathological characteristics of renal lesions in cattle slaughtered at Akure Abattoir, Ondo State, South West Nigeria, over a six-month period in 2023. A total of 280 cattle kidneys were examined post-mortem by gross inspection, and organs displaying abnormalities were sampled for histopathological evaluation using haematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff stains. Renal lesions were identified in 22.5 percent of examined kidneys. Gross findings included renal pallor, cortical scarring, petechiae, and multiple white foci. Histopathological changes included interstitial nephritis with lymphoplasmacytic infiltration (36.5%), glomerulonephritis (27.0%), renal medullary infarction (15.9%), and tubular necrosis (12.7%). Embolic nephritis with multifocal bacterial colonies was found in 7.9 percent of lesion-bearing kidneys, suggesting haematogenous bacterial spread. The findings suggest that infectious, parasitic, and toxic aetiologies contribute to renal pathology in abattoir cattle in Ondo State. These observations concur with recent published surveys on bovine renal pathology in West Africa. Veterinary inspection staffing at abattoirs should be strengthened, and haematological and serological screening of slaughter cattle for systemic diseases with renal involvement is recommended. Keywords: renal lesions, cattle, abattoir, histopathology, Akure