Left displacement of the abomasum in dairy cattle: recent developments in epidemiological and etiological aspects

The research with respect to displacement of the abomasum (DA) in dairy cattle is reviewed. Evaluated articles describe epidemiological and experimental studies. The occurrence is elevated with regard to breed, gender, age, concurrent diseases, environmental aspects and production levels as contributing factors and emphasis is placed on the effects of nutrition and metabolism. Reviewing the experimental work, distinction is made between the research into gas production in the abomasum and hypomotility of the abomasum, since both represent presumed pathways in the development of DA. Although the different fields of research have positive contributions to the understanding of the pathogenesis of DA, contradictions in the different studies are present. This is partly due to extrapolation of results from sheep to cows, or because of a low number of cows in the experiments. Finally, general suggestions are made for further research in the field of the pathogenesis of DA.     

Preliminary results of treatment and endocrinology of chronic endometritis in the dairy cow

Cows with chronic endometritis were treated by using uterine irrigation, prostaglandin or oestradiol benzoate. An attempt was made to relate the success of treatment to the nature of the discharge. No statistically significant differences were demonstrated between the different treatments, nor did the severity of the disease as judged by the amount of pus in the discharge affect the success of treatment. Progesterone and in some cases a metabolite of prostaglandin were measured in a milk sample taken at the time of treatment. Increased prostaglandin concentrations were found in 69 of 71 samples examined but they were not correlated with the progesterone concentrations. These measurements from cases of endometritis were higher than those from normal cows in the immediate post partum period and during established oestrous cycles. Treatment with prostaglandin when the concentration of progesterone was high was not more effective than when progesterone concentrations were low. Treatment had less influence on the subsequent fertility of the cow than other factors investigated; in particular, the sooner after calving the cow was treated the greater was the chance of success. This was thought to be due, at least in part, to the high rate of spontaneous recovery. Before treatment can be evaluated effectively a method must be found to identify persistent cases.     

Pyloric obstruction after toggle-pin fixation of left displaced abomasum in a cow

One potential complication of blind abomasopexy techniques, including the toggle-pin technique, is the possibility of creating pyloric outflow obstruction. Cows that have had left displaced abomasum corrected by this method should be observed closely for the first 48 postsurgical hours for signs of deterioration. If pyloric obstruction is suspected and the securing sutures are cut before fibrous adhesions have formed, permanent damage may be minimized.     

Surgery of the abomasum.

Abomasal diseases are common in cattle. Many of these diseases can be managed surgically. This article briefly discusses the various classifications of abomasal diseases. It focuses on the surgical treatment of these diseases. Surgical principles of conventional surgery and minimally invasive techniques are discussed.     

集约化奶牛场奶牛尿中污染因子的测定研究

测定和分析集约化奶牛场4个季节育成牛与泌乳牛两饲养阶段的试验动物尿样中的pH值、化学需氧量、氨氮、总氮、总磷、铜、锌等主要指标.结果显示:集约化奶牛场四季节育成牛尿样中pH值在四季节间差异不显著;产尿量为秋季最大,冬季最小;化学需氧量冬季最大,夏季最小;氨氮为秋季最大,夏季最小;总氮为冬季最大,夏季最小;总磷为冬季最大,春季最小;铜为春季最大,秋季最小;锌为冬季最大,秋季最小,且每个指标季节差异不尽相同.4个季节泌乳牛尿样中各指标值的变化规律:pH值春季最大,夏季最小;产尿量为秋季最大,春季最小;化学需氧量秋季最大,夏季最小;氨氮为秋季最大,冬季最小;总氮秋季最大,夏季最小;总磷为秋季最大,春季最小;铜为春季最大,秋季最小;锌为冬季最大,秋季最小,且每个指标季节差异不尽相同.     

Medical treatment of right-sided dilatation of the abomasum in cows

Twenty-two cows with right-sided displacement of the abomasum were treated with hyoscine-n-butyl bromide and dipyrone (Buscopan compositum; Boehringer Ingelheim). Within 24 hours 11 had recovered completely, three had improved, six had shown no improvement and two had been slaughtered. Within 48 hours 17 of the cows had recovered completely and five had been slaughtered.     

Origin of abomasum gas in the cows with displaced abomasum

The gas composition of the rumen and the abomasum were investigated in 71 cows including 25 cows with displaced abomasum. The ratio of methane (CH4) to CO2 in the abomasum gas was higher than that in the rumen. In the incubated mixtures of fresh rumen fluid, CH4 was detected at a high concentration, while a small amount of CO2 and CH4 was found in incubated mixtures of fresh abomasum fluids. Hence, it was suggested that the gas in the abomasum originated not from the abomasum itself but from the rumen. In cows fed with mixed roughages and concentrates, the rumen CO2:CH4 ratio was higher compared with cows fed with roughages alone. Marked changes in rumen gas composition were presumed to be associated with changes in abomasum gas composition. Consequently, it is possible that feeding a large quantity of concentrates may increase the flow rate of the ingesta through the forestomach, so that the return rate of gas separated from the ingesta in the abomasum to the forestomach may also increase. Therefore, the frequent accumulation of a large amount of gas with concomitant changes in the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration in the abomasum caused abomasal atony and subsequently displaced abomasum.     

Corpus alienum in the abomasum of cattle.

In a field study consisting of about 7000 adult cattle 36 cases of corpora aliena (CAA) in the abomasum were found. After recording the clinical symptoms such as recurrent slight ruminal tympany and abdominal pain after eating, the metal specimens were found by a detector, with which the sound of the moving metal could be followed behind the xiphoid cartilage region. The diagnoses were confirmed by operation in 10 cases, when the specimens were found in the abomasum and removed. Four of these operations were performed directly near the linea alba and in six cases the specimens were removed by hand and magnet through the reticulo-abomasal opening after attempting the routine hard ware operation. In an additional 16 cases the foreign body could not be caught hold of and removed by a ruminal operation due to passage difficulties through the reticulo-abomasal opening. The results of the direct or indirect operations when the CAA was removed, were good. It is concluded that CAA can occur in some 5 per mille of the patient population and in some 50 per cent of these cases a traumatic reticulitis is also found. In most cases the clinical symptoms are vague. Only if the symptoms are painful and recurrent is the operation indicated.     

Metabolic aspects in the etiology of displaced abomasum.

Results of studies on metabolic variables that exist prior to the diagnosis of displaced abomasum (DA) indicate that subclinical ketosis is a risk factor for DA. Serum aspartate aminotransferase activity, serum and milk betahydroxybutyric acid concentrations, and milk fat-to-protein ratios were often elevated before the diagnosis of DA, and these variables may be used to predict DA. Prevention of subclinical ketosis may prevent DA.     

Motility of the rumen and abomasum during hypocalcaemia.

The relationship between plasma calcium level and rumen motility in cows and sheep and abomasal motility in cows was investigated by inducing hypocalcaemia in seven cows and five sheep by the infusion of Na2 EDTA over a period of approximately two hours. Rates and amplitudes of rumen and abomasal contractions were markedly reduced by the reduction of plasma calcium level to approximately 50% of normal. There were significant positive linear relationships (P less than 0.05) between rate and amplitude of rumen contractions in both sheep and cows over a plasma calcium range of 1-3 mmol/L. There was also a significant linear relationship (P less than 0.05) between plasma calcium and abomasal rate of contraction over the same range in cows, but the relationship with amplitude of abomasal contraction was not quite significant (P less than 0.1 greater than 0.05).     

Canine ureteral ectopia--a review. 2. Incidence, diagnosis and treatment

All but one of the cases of canine ureteral ectopia reported in the literature have occurred in bitches, where the main presenting sign was incontinence since birth. Positive contrast radiography is considered to be the best confirmatory procedure. For unilateral cases, excision of the ureter and associated kidney is considered to be the method of choice if the opposite kidney has normal function. Where both ureters have ectopic openings, uretero–vesical anastomosis has to be undertaken. The surgical problems of creating a competent uretero–vesical junction are discussed. Résumé. Tous les cas-à l'exception d'un seul-d'ectopie urétérale canine rapportés dans la revue, se sont produits chez des chiennes où le principal symptǒme se manifestant était une incontinence d'urine depuis la naissance. On considère qu'une radiographie de contraste positif est la meilleure procédure de confirmation. Pour des cas unilatéraux, l'excision de l'uretère et du rein associé est considérée comme méthode de choix si le rein opposé fonctionne normalement. Une anastomose vésico-urétérale doit ětre entreprise là où les uretères ont tous deux des ouvertures ectopiques. On discute des problèmes chirurgiques de créer une jointure compétente vésico-urétérale. Zusammenfassung. Aile Fàlle, ausser einem, von Hunde-Harnleiter-ektopie worùber man in der Literatur berichtete, kamen in Hùndinnen vor, bei denen das Hauptanzeichen-Inkontinenz von Geburt her-war. Positive Kontrast Durchleuchtung wurde als bestes bestǎtigendes Verhren angesehen. Fur unilatérale Fàlle, Exzision des Ureters und der verbunden Niere wird als Wahlmethode angesehen, wenn die andere Niere normal funktioniert. Wo beide Ureteren ektopische Offnungen haben, muss uretero-vesikale Anastomose vorgenommen werden. Die chirurgischen Problème eine hinreichende ureterovesikale Verbindung zu schaffen wurden besprochen.     

Effects of management, feeding, and treatment on clinical and biochemical variables in cattle with displaced abomasum

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of management, feeding, and treatment on clinical and biochemical variables in cows with displaced abomasum (DA). ANIMALS: 374 cows that received 470 treatments for DA. PROCEDURE: Blood and milk samples were obtained from 139 affected cows for analysis; for all cows, clinical data, management, feeding, and treatments were evaluated. RESULTS: Multiparous cows were more predisposed to DA than primiparous cows were, and Swedish Friesians were more predisposed than Swedish Red and Whites were. Eighty percent of cows had left-sided DA, and 20% had right-sided DA. In > 50% of affected cows, clinical signs appeared just before calving to 2 weeks after calving. Incidence of twin calves and periparturient diseases was significantly higher in affected cows than in the overall Swedish cow population. Content of neutral detergent fiber in the silage was low in herds with DA. Feeding a total mixed ration was a risk factor for DA. Treatment by surgical methods gave a significantly higher recovery rate than nonsurgical methods. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Displaced abomasum is a periparturient nutritional disease. Feeding roughage with low neutral detergent content is a more important causative factor than the amount of concentrates fed at the time of calving. The basic principle for prevention of DA is to maintain good ruminal filling before and at calving. The amount of high-quality roughage fed before and at calving should be kept to a minimum. By changing routines for periparturient feeding, it should be possible to reduce the incidence of DA.