Gross and Histopathological Evaluation of Splenic Lesions in Cattle at Kaduna Metropolitan Abattoir

The spleen is an important immunological and haemopoietic organ that undergoes significant pathological changes during systemic infectious and haemoparasitic diseases in cattle. This descriptive survey investigated gross and histopathological splenic lesions in cattle slaughtered at Kaduna Metropolitan Abattoir, Kaduna State, during the dry season months of January to April 2023. A total of 240 cattle spleens were examined post-mortem and graded by gross appearance, with pathological spleens sampled for histopathological processing using haematoxylin and eosin stain. Splenic pathology was identified in 30.8 percent of examined cattle. Gross findings included splenomegaly with pulp engorgement (42.6%), splenic infarction (20.5%), subcapsular abscesses (17.1%), and atrophic spleen (19.7%). Histopathological changes included reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, haemosiderosis, lymphocyte depletion, and multifocal haemorrhagic necrosis. Splenic abscesses revealed central suppurative necrosis with a fibrous wall and peripheral lymphocytic infiltration. The high prevalence of reactive hyperplasia and haemosiderosis was attributed to underlying haemoparasitic and systemic bacterial infections. These findings are consistent with recent reports on bovine splenic pathology in northern Nigeria. Routine screening of cattle for haemoparasites prior to slaughter and implementation of systemic disease surveillance at Kaduna abattoir are strongly recommended. Keywords: splenic lesions, cattle, splenomegaly, haemosiderosis, Kaduna