Left Displaced Abomasum In Dairy Cows Research Articles

Association between β-hydroxybutyrate concentration at surgery for correction of left-displaced abomasum in dairy cows and removal from the herd after surgery

To estimate the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and predictive values of blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations in dairy cows immediately prior to surgical correction of left-displaced abomasum (LDA) for determining associations between BHB concentration and removal from the herd ≤ 30 days after surgery and to evaluate postsurgical risk of removal for cows with the BHB concentration that had highest sensitivity and specificity for predicting this outcome. Prospective cohort study. 136 dairy cows with LDA diagnosed between 5 and 30 days in lactation (ie, days in milk). Blood BHB concentration was measured immediately prior to surgery. All cows underwent surgical correction of LDA while standing. Follow-up information was obtained ≥ 30 days after surgery. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to estimate a critical threshold value for BHB concentration that was associated with removal from the herd, and this value was used in Poisson regression to estimate risk ratio for the same outcome. While controlling for parity in the model, cows with a BHB concentration < 1.2 mmol/L at the time of LDA surgery were 2.5 times as likely (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 5.0) to be removed from the herd ≤ 30 days after surgery, compared with cows that had a BHB concentration ≥ 1.2 mmol/L. Results indicated that blood BHB concentration in dairy cows undergoing surgical correction of LDA may potentially be a useful prognostic indicator for the likelihood of removal from the herd ≤ 30 days after surgery. Further research is needed to evaluate other risk factors that may be associated with this outcome.

Evaluation of ornithine carbamoyl transferase and other serum and liver-derived analytes in diagnosis of fatty liver and postsurgical outcome of left-displaced abomasum in dairy cows

To evaluate postsurgical outcome in dairy cows with left-displaced abomasum (LDA) with regard to severity of fatty liver and assess the usefulness of preoperative determination of serum ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT) activity, bile acids concentration, and other variables for evaluating liver function during the postsurgical convalescence period. Prospective study. 68 Holstein cows. Blood and liver biopsy specimens were obtained during standing LDA surgery. Liver tissue was examined histologically and classified by severity of fatty change. Serum activities of liver-derived enzymes and concentrations of total lipids, triglycerides, bile acids, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, bilirubin, and nonesterified fatty acids were determined. Most cows with LDA and cows with severe fatty liver were detected within the first month after calving. Postsurgical outcome was related to severity of fatty liver. All cows that died had severe fatty liver. Serum activities of OCT, aspartate aminotransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase and serum total bilirubin concentration were sensitive indicators of fatty liver. Serum bile acids concentration was not an accurate indicator of fatty liver. Postsurgical outcome of cows undergoing surgery to correct LDA was related to fatty liver severity. Assessment of serum activities of OCT, aspartate aminotransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase and serum total bilirubin concentration is recommended for diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows with LDA, whereas determination of bile acids concentration is not. The strong correlation between OCT activity and degree of hepatocellular damage supports use of this enzyme for assessing severity of fatty liver and predicting postsurgical outcome in cows with LDA.

One-step laparoscopic abomasopexy for correction of left-sided displacement of the abomasum in dairy cows

Four adult dairy cows in which a diagnosis of left-displaced abomasum (LDA) had been made underwent a 1-step laparoscopic abomasopexy (LA). The technique was performed with each cow positioned in dorsal recumbency. Two laparoscopic portals were created in the right paramedian area to identify the abomasum and direct insertion of the steel trocar and cannula into the abomasal lumen. A stainless steel toggle pin (with 2 lengths of suture attached to its midpoint) was inserted via the cannula into the abomasal lumen while the excess suture material remained exterior to the abdomen. The abomasum was deflated, and the excess suture material was withdrawn up to a preset marker on the suture to position the abomasum adjacent to the body wall. The suture was then tied to secure the abomasum in place. By use of this 1-step LA technique, LDA was successfully corrected in all 4 cows. The procedure is minimally invasive and allows viewing of the abomasum for correct positioning and fixation; it can be accomplished with the speed associated with the blind roll-and-tack technique. The 1-step LA technique may reduce the incidence of complications associated with traditional laparotomy and the blind roll-and-tack technique and could be a useful alternative procedure for the treatment of LDA in dairy cows.