Analysis of clinical case records from dairy co-operatives in Bangladesh

Records of 28,266 clinical cases collected over a period of three years from a veterinary clinical service to small dairy farms in Bangladesh were analysed. The major clinical conditions encountered were those which adversely affect the performance of draught animals and those causing infertility. Gastrointestinal disorders and general debility were also of major significance. It was concluded that the most pressing constraint on cattle productivity in Bangladesh is inadequate nutrition. Although infectious diseases were of minor importance overall, annual epidemics of foot-and-mouth disease were associated with seasonal movement of cattle. Difficulties involved in the analysis of clinical case records are discussed.