Relative Risk of Liver Failure in Dairy Cows with Left Abomasal Displacement

Abstract

Dairy cows with left abomasal displacement (LDA) are in substantial negative energy balance and mobilize considerable amounts of non-esterified fatty acids. Thus, fatty liver is a common hepatic disorder in LDA cows. Results of a previous study showed that approximately 4-5% of LDA cows referred to our clinic for surgical correction of abomasal displacement died or were sacrified due to liver coma. We found not only cows with severe fatty liver but also cows with moderate or even mild fatty liver affected by liver failure. Characteristically, cows with liver failure showed typical clinical signs of a hepatic encephalopathy (general depression, ataxia, recumbency or coma) and a low plasma amino acid ratio (Val+Leu+Ile/Phe+Tyr), low plasma cholesterol concentrations and high plasma levels of ammonia, total bilirubin and hepatic enzymes.
 Thus, aim of the study was to calculate the risk of liver failure of dairy cows with LDA related to the hepatic triglyceride content.