Abomasal displacement in a changing husbandry and its treatment

A description is given of the area in south Argyll within which the incidence of abomasal displacement has been followed, together with the factors involved. Over the period 1970 to 1983 a radical change took place in methods of feeding and housing dairy cattle. Over the same period, a comparison of the milking cow population and the number of cases of abomasal displacement occurring annually indicated a reduced incidence of the condition. It is suggested that this is related to the changes in farm husbandry. The methods of treatment used in this area are also discussed.