Risk factors for abomasal displacement in dairy cows

Objective-To determine whether various periparturient events or 305-day milk production during the previous lactation period were associated with abomasal displacement in dairy cows. Design-Retrospective, case-control study. Animals-75 pairs of case and control cows from 3 university-owned and 3 commercial dairy herds. Procedure-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. Results-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. Clinical Implications-Results indicated that a variety of periparturient events were associated with development of abomasal displacement among dairy cows.