Researchers from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), along with Texas Tech University, Kansas State University and West Texas A&M University, have collaborated to develop reliable liver abscess models in cattle.
Liver abscesses impact animal well-being and lead to liver condemnations and reduced profitability. Cattle with liver abscesses often show no clinical signs until harvest, resulting in economic losses of up to $400 million annually.
Recently published in the Journal of Animal Science, the study conducted at the USDA-ARS Livestock Issues Research Unit aims to address the costly issue. The study focused on high-grain diets and identified bacteria associated with liver abscesses, shedding light on potential preventive interventions. The study demonstrated that while high-grain diets may create an acidic rumen environment where these bacteria aren’t detected, directly introducing bacteria to the rumen can induce liver abscesses, suggesting potential preventive interventions.
Although promising, further research is needed to validate the model’s consistency before implementing preventive strategies.
