Perceptions, Husbandry and Disease Management Practices amongst Cattle Owners of Mwandi District, Zambia

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in Mwandi district of Western province of Zambia. The objective was to obtain preliminary data on cattle owner perceptions and awareness of livestock husbandry practices and disease management due to lack of information on livestock activities in the area. The study showed that cattle were the main livestock kept (60%), mainly of the indigenous local Barotse breed. The study further showed that public veterinary officials were the main source of advice on animal health (97%, 29/30 respondents vs. 3%, 1/30 for family members), and choice of drugs (100%) for the treatment of sick animals. All the cattle owners (30/30) reported having seen ticks on the cattle. Foot and mouth disease (27/30), contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (26/30) and anaplasmosis (22/30) were reported to be the most important cattle diseases. Surprisingly, none of the cattle owners responded to questions on theileriosis (corridor disease); nor did they report presence of trypanosomosis despite all of them (30/30) using antitrypanocides. The study further showed that oxytetracycline (30/30), Diminazene aceturate (Berenil®) (29/30), penicillin (29/30), and albendazole (28/30) were the most commonly used drugs. In addition to these drugs, local plants/herbs were also used. Inadequate water, stock theft and inaccessible veterinary services were among the challenges. Although farmers were familiar with many factors affecting their cattle, there was apparent lack of agreement between what the farmers knew and their management practices.