Prevalence and temporal distribution of surgical diseases in goats (Capra hircus) in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh

Surgical diseases are common in goats and exert serious negative effects on animal's growth, productivity, and survivability leading to huge economic loss. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of different surgical diseases of goats and to elucidate the seasonal impact leading to temporal distribution of these diseases in Trishal, Muktagacha and Fulbaria of Mymensingh, Bangladesh between the years 2009 to 2019. A total of 3744 goats were documented in all three Upazila. The overall prevalence was found to be 34.18% (1280/3744) in Fulbaria, 32.69% (1224/3744) in Muktagacha, 33.11% (1240/3744) in Trishal. The prevalence of different surgical affections in Fulbaria included: wounds 30.54%, gid 23.28%, urolithiasis 16.09%, bloat 9.06%, fracture 8.99%, lymphadenitis 6.48%, tumor 4.06% and gangrenous mastitis 0.94%; in Muktagacha these were wounds 30.83%, gid 23.08%, urolithiasis 19.98%, bloat 9.89%, fracture 9.06%, lymphadenitis 6.59%, tumor 3.70% and gangrenous mastitis 0.75%; in Trishal these were wounds 28.28%, gid 23.60%, urolithiasis 17.20%, bloat 9.12%, fracture 8.96%, lymphadenitis 6.88%, tumor 3.76% and gangrenous mastitis 0.80%. There was a somewhat similar temporal distribution pattern of the diseases in the study area. The study revealed that rainfall, relative humidity, and ambient temperature have a distinct influence on the occurrence and distribution of various surgical diseases and disorders. Prompt surgical intervention is recommended as most of the diseases are curable, and this will reduce the economic loss of the farmers.