The study aimed to describe the changes in clinical findings and serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen
and chloride (Cl) in dairy cattle with displacement of the abomasum (DA) from day 0 until day 30
after surgery and to evaluate their diagnostic and prognostic value in evaluation of the abomasal function.
The study was conducted on DA cattle (n=25) belonging to dairy farms in Hokkaido area, Japan.
Cows were examined and sampled at days 0 (surgery), 7 and 30. Based on blood β-hydroxybutyric
acid (BHBA) at day 0, DA cows were classified into three categories; DA only (<1.2 mmol/L), DA
with subclinical ketosis (DA SCK: 1.2–2.4 mmol/L) and DA with clinical ketosis (DA CK: ≥2.5
mmol/L). All DA groups had higher serum gastrin than their physiological reference values in cattle
both before or after surgery. Serum gastrin was significantly increased (P<0.05) in DA and DA SCK
groups particularly at day 30 vs day 0. Serum pepsinogen and chlorides were not remarkably changed
in any of the three diseased groups compared to reference values. Serum pepsinogen showed no significant
within- and inter-group changes. The surgery and the 30-day follow-up period were not sufficient
to serum gastrin to return to its physiological levels. In conclusion, further future studies may be
required to investigate serum gastrin levels change in DA cattle. A longer follow up period up to
45 day is suggested.