As I reflect on the spring so far and the problems I am encountering to date, left displaced abomasums (LDAs) is one that is occurring with increasing frequency.

The abomasum is the fourth and final stomach of the cow. The problem is that the stomach is not attached to the body wall, but is instead suspended loosely by the greater and lesser omentum and can move freely when the normal landscape of the abdomen is changed, such as after calving.

After a cow calves, there is significant room created in the abdomen by the absence of the calf, placenta and associated fluids from the uterus. All of this means that if the stomach does not expand to fill this space, the abomasum is free to move from its normal position.

Following the above logic, I would view LDAs as largely being as a result of anything that restricts cows’ intakes post-calving, eg milk fever, difficult calving, E coli mastitis, caesarean sections, tibial nerve paralysis (knuckling).

Insufficient feed space post-calving is also a risk factor, especially considering cows and in particular first lactation heifers suffering from any of the previous conditions likely will not be able to compete at an overcrowded barrier.

Lack of fibre in the diet can also lead to LDAs. This is common in cases where cows have access to extremely finely chopped silage or where feed sorting at the barrier takes place.

Cows with LDAs are generally described by farmers as cows that are “not firing 100%”. Another sign is a cow not eating her concentrates in the parlour, while some severely affected cows present with tucked up abdomens akin to greyhounds. Cows are generally ketotic when suffering from an LDA as with the abomasum in the incorrect position it is not able to adequately do its job of converting food to glucose.

Diagnosis is done by listening via stethoscope for pings over the cow’s abdomen. Some cows respond to medical treatment of stomach relaxants and rumen powders, but surgical intervention is generally called for. My advice to farmers would be to be especially vigilant of cows that fit the clinical signs and if they don’t respond to rumen powders and glucose drench in 12 hours, a vet should be called, as the sooner an LDA is corrected the better chance a cow has of reaching peak potential that lactation.

Tadhg Bourke is a partner at Glenbower Veterinary Group, Killeagh, Co. Cork. Glenbower Veterinary Group is part of XLVets. XLVets is a group of progressive practices who are working together to achieve a better future for agriculture and veterinary in Ireland. For information, see www.xlvets.ie