Retrospective Evaluation of Method of Treatment, Laboratory Findings, and Concurrent Diseases in Dairy Cattle Diagnosed with Left Displacement of the Abomasum during Time of Hospitalization

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) is a common disease in high-producing dairy cattle, resulting in direct and indirect costs, discomfort for the cattle, and death if not treated. The objectives of this retrospective study were to assess the effect of treatment on recovery from LDA during time of hospitalization, to investigate the influence of concurrent diseases on the recovery, and to identify prognostic indicators in laboratory findings. Neither the number of concurrent diseases nor the method of surgery had any influence on the outcome (death or recovery). The most common concurrent disease was metritis/endometritis (38.4% of cows). Conservative treatment (abomasal rolling) was successful in 92.8% of cows, with a recurrence rate of 56.7%. Neither oral nor analgesic therapy had any influence on the recurrence of LDA following abomasal rolling during hospitalization. In cows undergoing surgery, endoscopic abomasopexy as described by Janowitz and right flank laparotomy were performed most often (40.8% and 40.2%, respectively). A significantly (p < 0.01) higher number of cows showed the outcome “recovery” compared with “death”. The results of this study indicate that the outcome after surgery for LDA under clinical conditions does not depend on the method of surgery, and that concurrent diseases are often diagnosed in cattle with LDA. Conservative treatment has a high recurrence rate. ABSTRACT: Left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) is a disease often diagnosed in high-producing dairy cattle, resulting in direct and in indirect costs for the farmer, and discomfort and death for the cows. For the present retrospective study, the aims were to assess the effect of treatment on recovery during the time of hospitalization of the cows, to investigate the influence of concurrent diseases on the recovery, and to identify prognostic indicators in laboratory findings. Metritis/endometritis (38.4% of cows) was the concurrent disease diagnosed most often. Conservative treatment (abomasal rolling) was performed successfully in 92.8% of cows; the recurrence rate was 56.7%. Neither treatment with an oral drench nor treatment with analgesics had any influence on the recurrence of LDA following abomasal rolling during hospitalization. Endoscopic abomasopexy as described by Janowitz was performed more often than right flank laparotomy (40.8% and 40.2%, respectively). A significantly (p < 0.01) higher number of cows had the outcome “recovery” compared with “death”. The results of this study show that the outcome after surgery for LDA under clinical conditions does not depend on the method of surgery. Moreover, cows with LDA often suffer from concurrent diseases. If conservative treatment is decided on, farmers should be informed that there is a high recurrence rate, and other treatment options should be discussed.