Risk factors for abomasal displacement in dairy cows

To determine whether various periparturient events or 305-day milk production during the previous lactation period were associated with abomasal displacement in dairy cows.

Retrospective, case-control study.

75 pairs of case and control cows from 3 university-owned and 3 commercial dairy herds.

Cows with abomasal displacement were matched with control cows on the basis of herd of origin, breed, age, and calving date. Frequency of specific periparturient events during the period from 2 weeks prior to parturition to diagnosis of abomasal displacement, as well as milk production during the preceding lactation period, were compared between case and control cows.

Multivariate analyses indicated that case cows were significantly more likely to have had retained placenta, ketosis, a stillborn calf, metritis, twins, or parturient paresis than were control cows. Dystocia, mastitis, and milk production during the previous lactation period were not associated with abomasal displacement.

Results indicated that a variety of periparturient events were associated with development of abomasal displacement among dairy cows.