Prevalence of abomasal displacement in dairy cattle of different age categories

Abstract

Abomasal displacement in cattle has been characterized with displacement of abomasus out of its normal position to the left (LDA) or right (RDA) side of the abdomen. Abomasal displacements typically occur in high production dairy cows. Abomasal displacements cause economic loss in dairy herds through decrease in milk production, permanent weight loss, treatment costs, death, and has also been considered to be having a negative impact on reproduction. The aim of this study was to analyze prevalence of abomasal displacement in cattle in Bosnia and Herzegovina, considering the lack of the recorded data on this disorder. Clinical monitoring in one dairy farm was performed on 394 animals of Holstein – Frisian breed during 2008. The animals were divided into 3 groups according to age, in which Group 1 consisted of animals between 15 and 24 months, Group 2 between 2 and 7 years, and Group 3 older than 7 years. In this study, out of total of 394 animals, in 21 animals abomasal displacement was diagnosed with total prevalence of 5,32%. In Group 1, from total of 36 animals, only one case of abomasal displacement was detected (2,77%). In Group 2, from total of 289 animals, in 15 animals abomasal displacement was diagnosed (5,19%). In Group 3, from total of 69 animals, in 5 animals abomasal displacement was diagnosed (7,24%.).