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Left‐side displacement of the abomasum in dairy cows at pasture
Author(s) -
JUBB TF,
MALMO J.,
DAVIS GM,
VAWSER AS
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1991.tb03157.x
Subject(s) - herd , sire , abomasum , pasture , grazing , zoology , biology , population , dairy cattle , lactation , veterinary medicine , medicine , agronomy , pregnancy , environmental health , food science , rumen , genetics , fermentation
SUMMARY The presentation of approximately 40 dairy cows affected with left‐side displacement of the abomasum (LDA) per annum In a cattle practice in East Gippsland, Victoria provided an opportunity to conduct a survey and case‐control study of the disease in a grazing environment. The study, Involving 37 dairy cows at pasture, revealed significant differences from the pattern of the disease occurring In the northern hemisphere where cows In older age groups, of larger frame size, higher production and fed high grain rations are at Increased risk. Affected cows were diagnosed over a 10‐month period and represented approximately 0.06% of the dairy cow population. Most cases were diagnosed In the early lactation period. Evidence for a genetic predisposition was suggested by the discovery that one sire generated a disproportionately large number (9) of the cows with LDA. Although affected cows were average producers in their herds, being a member of a high‐producing herd was a significant risk factor.