Selected biochemical blood compounds in cows with abomasum displacement

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Biochemistry

Background:

• Displacement of the abomasum (DA) is a common gastrointestinal disorder in dairy cows, particularly in the postpartum period.
• Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in DA cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare blood biochemical indicators in cows with displacement of the abomasum (DA) that either recovered or died following surgical treatment.
• To identify potential biochemical markers that correlate with treatment efficacy and prognosis in DA cases.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from 60 multiparous cows diagnosed with left or right displacement of the abomasum (DA) and 15 healthy controls immediately before surgery.
• Serum concentrations of nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), glucose (Glu), cholesterol (Chol), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (Bil), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured.
• Clinical outcomes (recovery or death) were recorded post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Sick cows exhibited elevated NEFA, Bil, and AST, with low Chol levels, and normal BUN pre-surgery.
• No significant differences in NEFA, Chol, AST, Bil, or BUN were found between cows that recovered and those that died.
• Cows that died after surgery had significantly higher serum glucose levels (5.05 mmol/l) compared to surviving cows (2.93 mmol/l).

Conclusions:

• While several blood biochemical indicators are altered in cows with DA, only elevated glucose levels pre-surgery appear to be a significant predictor of mortality.
• Glucose levels may serve as a valuable prognostic indicator in dairy cows undergoing surgical correction for displacement of the abomasum.