Prevention of abomasum displacement in dairy cows

Under normal circumstances, the true stomach of dairy cows is located on the right side of the abdominal cavity, and the left side is close to the rumen, but due to some internal or external reasons, the normal position of the true stomach is mutated, either below the rumen, or moved to the left side of the rumen. All can cause loss of appetite, digestive disorders, abnormal defecation, rumen gas, abdominal pain and other symptoms, this is true stomach displacement.

The displacement of abomasum in dairy cows usually occurs in cows before and after 4-5 parturition. It is related to nutritional deficiency before delivery, changes in cow posture and other factors. Under the combined action of these factors, it leads to the decrease of gastrointestinal activity, the dysfunction of smooth muscle and the emptiness of rumen, which leads to the change of the normal position of true stomach. The incidence of stomach displacement in high-yield dairy cows is generally 3%.

Clinical symptoms of diseased cattle often appear intermittent anorexia, some refuse to eat concentrate, but also can eat a small amount of silage and hay. Weight loss, mental depression, body temperature, respiration and pulse are close to normal, but lactation performance decreases, defecation is less and hard, the surface is covered with mucus, some sick cattle diarrhea, feces soft and mushy. Because the rumen is squeezed on the inside, there is a flat eminence in the left abdominal wall. The rumen peristalsis weakened and the number of rumen peristalsis decreased or even disappeared. The sick cow shows progressive exhaustion, prefers to lie down rather than walk, and often takes a lying position. From the left medullary joint to the line behind the elbow, I can occasionally hear the ringing and dripping sounds in the abomasum. With the combination of percussion and auscultation, the metal echo (steel pipe sound) can be heard between the second-to-last ribs on the left.

Preventive measures should be taken to ensure the quality of total dry matter in the diet of dairy cows, the proportion of roughage should not be less than 40%, and the roughness of roughage should be ensured to prevent crushing too fine, even less suitable for granulation; in the later stage of dry milk, the intake of calcium in dairy cows should not exceed 0.4%-0.5% of dry matter, or 53 grams per day, or 200 grams of anion salt should be fed to cows to reduce the occurrence of hypocalcemia and milk fever. From dry period to delivery, the increase of concentrate and the change of diet should not be too fast, and there should be a transition period of 7 to 10 days. In summer, it is necessary to do a good job of heat prevention and cooling of dairy cows to prevent the adverse effects of heat stress on dairy cows: often observe the health, intake and ruminating status of cows, and measure their body temperature, respiration and pulse; observe defecation and urination, and treat them in time once infectious diseases are found. Ensure that cows have sufficient space for feeding and drinking water to prevent overcrowding. At the same time, always maintain the hygiene of cow trough, cow bed, sink and playground to ensure that cows have good conditions for feeding, drinking and ruminating.