[pH, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphate and chloride in the rumen and abomasal contents of cows with abomasal displacement].

Ruminal and abomasal contents were collected from cows with left abomasal displacement (L), right abomasal displacement (R-), or abomasal volvulus (R+), before the abomasum was corrected, as well as one and three days later, pH and concentrations of sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), and chloride (Cl) were determined. Results were compared with those from healthy control cattle fed a balanced diet. Ruminal concentrations of Na and Ca were reduced in cattle with abomasal displacement, whereas those of K, P and Cl were increased, and those of Mg and pH remained nearly unchanged. Concentrations of K and P before abomasal correction were lower in cattle with L than in those with R+, and declined after the correction. Concentrations of Cl decreased continuously after the abomasum was corrected in cattle with L, whereas they increased after replacement in cattle with R and declined later. These findings imply that cattle with abomasal displacement took up less feed before surgical correction and that ruminal contents backed up in the rumen, whereby the backup was less with L than with R+, and that the backed-up contents passed on after the abomasum was corrected. The results also indicate that a reflux of abomasal contents into the rumen took place in cattle with all forms of abomasal displacement, whereby with R+ increased amounts of abomasal contents passed into the rumen following correction and were then later passed out. Compared to controls, abomasal concentrations of Cl were increased in cattle with displacement and the concentrations of K, Mg, Ca, and P were reduced. Before abomasal correction, pH was decreased in cattle with L and unchanged in those with R- and R+. The concentrations of Na and K before correction in L were lower than those with R+, whereas the concentrations of K, Mg, Ca, and P were higher. After abomasal correction, the concentrations of Na declined, and those of K, Mg, Ca, and P increased. On the third day after abomasal correction, pH and the concentrations of K, Mg, Ca, and P were lower and the concentrations of Cl higher than in controls. These findings indicate that before abomasal correction in cattle with abomasal displacement secretion from the abomasal glands was increased, abomasal contents backed up in the abomasum, whereby the secretion/backup was less with L than with R+, and that the backed-up contents are passed on after the abomasum is corrected. The findings also suggest that the increased rate of secretion from the abomasal glands or abomasal motility disorders continues on to the third day after abomasal correction.