[Epidemiology and risk factors of cecal dilatation/dislocation and abomasal displacement in dairy cows]

The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of cecal dilatation/dislocation (CDD) and abomasal displacement (DA) in Switzerland, to identify risk factors for both diseases, and to compare directly their epidemiologic situation. The epidemiologic study included 158 cases of CDD and 149 cases of DA from the cases referred to both University Clinics of Berne and Zurich. The results showed that DA was associated with nutrition-related risk factors: use of minerals and sodium chloride, inadequate concentrate feeding and beginning of the feeding. Furthermore, breed was significantly associated with DA, but not with CDD. Finally, milk yield and pasture were also significantly included in the models. For CDD, nutrition-related risk factors were also found: pasture in summer, use of corn pellets and corn silage in winter. In the final model, protein concentrate was also included. Although both diseases were found at comparable frequencies, the results of this study indicate marked differences between the epidemiology of occurrence of CDD and DA. Therefore, the hypothesis of a common etiopathogenesis appears unlikely.