What a beautiful day. It is in the 60’s but it suppose to get cold next week so we need to enjoy it. It has been so warm this week that we have been in short sleeves. On Tuesday some of the kids even wore shorts to school. 

Kevin is getting his final bags of seed corn to start planting in the next couple weeks. This week we had a heifer with a displaced abomasums; or a twisted stomach. The vet was here to do the surgery on Wednesday.

Displaced abomasum (DA) is a repositioning of the abomasum (the fourth or true stomach) from its normal position on the right ventral abdominal wall. The abomasum becomes dilated with fluid and/or gas with subsequent migration to an abnormal position on the right or left side. Distention of the abomasum is caused primarily by gas and may be accompanied by an accumulation of fluid within the organ. Most displacements encountered are to the left.

Several authors have noted that DA occurs more frequently in high-producing, heavily fed dairy cattle, usually near parturition and possibly under stress. However, since the condition has been seen in heifers and bulls one cannot completely associate DA with parturition even though most cases occur within 30 days after freshening. The condition is occasionally seen in cows prior to freshening.

One of the chief symptoms of displacement is a sudden or gradual decrease in appetite. Cows have scanty bowel movements, soft and discolored with some occasional diarrhea. Cows may become weak and dehydrated and may fail to get up when prodded. Secondary ketosis usually develops unless the problem is corrected. About half of DA cows have uterine infections. The distinguishing feature between DA and ketosis is the discolored and diarrhea-like condition frequently observed in DA cases and constipation with ketosis. The field test for acetone in milk and urine is strongly positive for ketotic cows but only slight with the occurrence of DA

Here is a great site with some pictures. http://www.highgate-vets.co.uk/farm/case-histories.htm our vet does the DA’s standing up.

Today I am off to Chicago to pick up my brother Lonny and his son Zach from the airport. They are visiting from Washington State for the Spring break week. Lets hope the snow they call for is not coming.