Abomasal displacement in the bovine--a review on character, occurrence, aetiology and pathogenesis.

Literature on the subject of character, history, occurrence, causes and pathogenesis of abomasal displacement in the bovine is listed and summarized. The chapter on occurrence is subdivided according to heritibility, sex, age, season, husbandry, milk yield and concomitant diseases. In the chapter on causes special consideration is given to feeding. The chapter on pathogenesis is subdivided according to mechanical influences, disturbances of the abomasal motor activity, collection of gas and dilatation of the abomasum and artificial displacement of the abomasum. Displacement of the abomasum is seen predominantly in the spring in herds with above-average milk yield in dairy cows between the age of 4 and 7 years which have calved within the last month and have ketosis. The etiology and pathogenesis of abomasal displacement are unclear.