Title:
INDIGENOUS MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE WOUNDS: CASE STUDY OF MUVENGAHONYE FOR DEHORN INFECTIONS IN MAKONDE, ZIMBABWE

Authors:
Agrippa Zhou and Emmanuel Chinamasa

Abstract:
This study evaluates indigenous cattle dehorning methods and management dehorning wounds infection. It was obliged by the need to improve the quality of indigenous knowledge and reduce the costs of modern veterinary drugs. The study was guided by qualitative ethno methodology research philosophy. Its emphasis is on what-ever data collection method works. A descriptive survey case study of ward one, two and three of Makonde district guided data collection. A cluster sample of 97 cattle farmers responded to a questionnaire, participated in focus group discussions and informal interviews. Literature provided a yard-stick for practical dehorning. Observations revealed that dehorning is mainly done using hot dehorning iron. There is no cleaning of hands, instruments, calf dehorned area and environment. The omission is associated with wound infections from exposure to bacteria. Infection was intensified by inappropriate after dehorning management, lack of after dehorning monitoring and early infection detection. A medium sized shrub found in Makonde district in Zimbabwe,Muvengahonye (cathiumhuillense) is used to treat cattle wounds associated with dehorning or broken horn. The shrub’s tender leaves and twigs are crushed, mixed with salt and soda. The mixture’s juice is squeezed out and dropped on the open wound. The roughage is stuck on the wound. Such treatment can be based on the fact that, wound infection is reduced by dehydrates. Dehydrating the wound facilitates clotting of blood. The roughage maintain the movement of dehydrates by osmosis from a region of high concentration (wound opening) to a region of their low concentration (sinus cavity). This study observed the treatment on seven calves whose wounds were a result of deep cuts and burns during dehorning by hot iron. They all healed within two weeks. The study encourages surgeons to wash their hands and instruments after each calf dehorning. It recommends more trials of the Muvengahonye treatment of cattle wounds to determine its effectiveness