Retrospective Evaluation of Claw Lesions, Inflammatory Markers, and Outcome after Abomasal Rolling in Cattle with Left Displacement of the Abomasum

Theresa Tschoner,Melanie Feist,Yury Zablotski

doi:10.3390/ani11061648

Abstract

Simple SummaryLameness is a major welfare problem in cattle and is often diagnosed concurrent to left displacement of the abomasum. Lame cattle prefer to lie on the affected leg, and laterality of lying may have an effect on the etiology of left displacement of the abomasum. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between laterality of claw lesion and presence of left displacement of the abomasum. For this study, the data of 252 cattle were analyzed retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were: a diagnosis of left displacement of the abomasum and diagnostic examination of claw lesions during hospitalization at the clinic. There was no association between laterality of claw lesion and left displacement of the abomasum. Cattle with a claw lesion in their right limbs were not diagnosed with left displacement of the abomasum more often than cattle with claw lesions in their left limbs. A total of 46.4% of cattle were diagnosed with at least one claw lesion. These results emphasize the importance of the prevention of claw lesions, especially in the post-partum period, to improve cattle welfare.Lameness is often diagnosed in cattle with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA). Laterality of lying has an effect on the etiology of LDA, and lame cows prefer to lie on the affected limb. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible association between laterality of claw lesion and presence of LDA. The medical records of 252 cattle presented with a diagnosis of LDA and subjected to a diagnostic examination of claw lesions over a period of 11 years (2009–2019), were analyzed retrospectively. Data were evaluated for presence and localization of claw lesion, concentrations of inflammatory markers, and abomasal rolling as therapy. At least one claw lesion was diagnosed in 46.4% of cattle. There was no association between laterality of claw lesion and LDA. Presence of claw lesion or oral drench and/or analgesic treatment did not have an effect on occurrence of relapse. A high number of cattle was diagnosed with both LDA and claw lesions. Focus should lie on preventing painful claw lesions in the dry and the early post-partum period. The high recurrence rate after abomasal rolling suggests that abomasal rolling should only be considered as a therapy for temporary relief, and surgical procedures should be discussed with farmers.

Highlights

Left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) is a common disease in high producing dairy cattle in early lactation [1,2]
Laterality of lying has an effect on the etiology of left displacement of the abomasum (LDA), and lame cows prefer to lie on the affected limb
The main objective of the current study was (1) to assess the frequency and laterality of claw lesions in cattle diagnosed with LDA

Summary

Introduction

Left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) is a common disease in high producing dairy cattle in early lactation [1,2]. Occurrence of LDA is a result of two pathogenic pathways, hypomotility of the abomasum and accumulation of gas [2]. Those pathogenic pathways are results of different etiological factors, such as negative energy balance, reduction of feed intake, and blood calcium levels, among others [2,3]. Negative energy balance and concurrent diseases such as hypocalcemia, puerperal metritis or endometritis, and claw disorders (associated with lameness), are common in cattle with LDA [2,4,5]. Inflammatory markers (such as haptoglobin) are elevated in lame cows [12,13] and previous data indicates an activation of the immune system [13] and a systemic acute phase response [12]

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