Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Factors influencing the survival of dairy cows after correction of left displaced abomasum.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Sterner, Keith E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Sterner Veterinary Clinic PC · United States
Plain-English summary
This study looked at 810 Holstein dairy cows that had a condition called left displaced abomasum (LDA), where part of their stomach moves out of place. The researchers wanted to see how different methods of fixing this issue affected the cows' survival after surgery. They found that cows treated by veterinarians using a roll-and-toggle method had a survival rate of 87% two weeks after surgery, while those treated by herd personnel had a survival rate of 81%. After 60 days, the survival rates dropped to 79% for the veterinarian group and 71% for the herd personnel group. The study also noted that factors like having mastitis (an infection in the udder), a history of LDA, and the method of correction influenced whether the cows stayed healthy after treatment. Overall, the results showed that while there were some differences in survival rates, the methods used by herd personnel were effective and comparable to those performed by veterinarians.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that influenced culling or death of cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA) subsequent to correction by a roll-and-toggle (R&T) procedure or via laparotomy. DESIGN: Cohort study. ANIMALS: 810 Holstein dairy cows with LDA. PROCEDURES: Data regarding method of repair and risk factors for survival after correction of LDA were collected during a 1-year period. Outcomes were compared at days 14 and 60 after LDA correction for 3 groups of cattle (veterinarians performed R&T [V-R&T], herd personnel performed R&T [H-R&T], and veterinarians performed surgical repair via laparotomy [V-Surg]). RESULTS: Survival rates 14 days after LDA correction for the V-R&T, H-R&T, and V-Surg groups were 87% (286/329), 81% (327/403), and 85% (66/78), respectively. At 60 days after LDA correction, survival rates for the V-R&T, H-R&T, and V-Surg groups were 79% (260/329), 71% (286/403), and 73% (57/78), respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that factors positively associated with failure to remain in the herd at 60 days after LDA correction included current mastitis status, history of a previous LDA, high preoperative risk, and correction of LDA by herd personnel rather than by a veterinarian. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Correction of LDA by veterinarians via an R&T procedure yielded results that were generally comparable to those for correction by veterinarians via laparotomy. Although survival rates at days 14 and 60 after surgery differed significantly between the V-R&T and H-R&T groups, herd personnel in this study used the R&T procedure to correct LDA and achieved survival rates within the range for those of practicing veterinarians.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18479243/