The effect of left displacement of abomasum corrected by toggle-pin suture on lactation, reproduction, and health of Holstein dairy cows

Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of left displacement of abomasum (LDA) after correction by toggle-pin suture (TPS) on lactation performance, reproduction and health in Holstein dairy cows in a commercial dairy farm. Cows diagnosed with LDA and corrected by the TPS procedure (188 cows) during the first 70 d postpartum were matched with control herd-mates (186 controls) according to lactation number, calving date, and previous lactation 305-d mature equivalent milk yield. Cows were grouped according to parity and days in milk and fed the same total mixed ration throughout a 321-d lactation. Data collected included yields of milk and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), concentration and yields of milk fat, somatic cell count, incidence of mastitis, abortion, death and culling, in addition to reproductive measures. Cows affected with LDA corrected by the TPS procedure produced less milk and tended to produce less 3.5% FCM than control cows, but the decrease in production occurred only during the first 4 mo of lactation. Left displacement of abomasum did not affect the interval from calving to conception and conception rates, but it extended the period from calving to first postpartum artificial insemination. Incidences of abortions and mastitis were not influenced by LDA. Cows affected with LDA remained in the study for a shorter period than their control herdmates, and higher proportions of cows with LDA were sold or died. Death and culling were more pronounced immediately after the diagnosis of LDA and the TPS procedure.