Effect of preoperative erythromycin or dexamethasone/vitamin C on postoperative abomasal emptying rate in dairy cows undergoing surgical correction of abomasal volvulus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of preoperative erythromycin or combined dexamethasone/vitamin C treatment on postoperative abomasal emptying rate in cows undergoing surgical correction of abomasal volvulus (AV).


METHODS
Prospective, controlled, clinical study using a convenience sample.


METHODS
Lactating Holstein-Friesian cows (n=45) with AV were alternately assigned to 3 groups (n=15): group C: untreated (control); group E: erythromycin (10 mg/kg intramuscularly [IM]); group D: dexamethasone (0.02 mg/kg intravenously [IV]) and vitamin C (10 mg/kg IV).


METHODS
Drugs were administered 1 hour before surgical correction of AV. D-xylose solution (50%, 0.5 g/kg body weight) was injected into the abomasal lumen during surgery. Jugular venous blood samples for determination of serum d-xylose concentration were periodically obtained. Time to maximal serum D-xylose concentration (T(max-model)) was pharmacokinetically determined.


RESULTS
Abomasal emptying rate was significantly (P<0.05) faster in group E (T(max-model)=182+/-69 min; mean+/-SD) than in group C cows (T(max-model)=237+/-64 min). Abomasal emptying rate was similar in group D (T(max-model)=196+/-47 min) and group C. Both treatments improved postoperative milk yield within 1 day after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative injection of erythromycin (10 mg/kg IM) is an effective method for ameliorating postoperative abomasal hypomotility in cows with AV.


CONCLUSIONS
Parenteral erythromycin can be recommended for preoperative treatment of cows with AV.
Wittek
Thomas
T
Medizinische Tierklinik, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. wittek@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de
Tischer
Katja
K
Körner
Imke
I
Sattler
Tatjana
T
Constable
Peter D
PD
Fürll
Manfred
M
D000018:Abomasum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D013277:Stomach Volvulus / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004917:Erythromycin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001205:Ascorbic Acid