Liver Abnormalities in Cattle

Liver abscess has been identified in multiple classes of cattle, but cattle consuming higher energy diets may have greater prevalence of abscessation. The presence and severity of liver abscess has been associated with reduced dry matter intake, daily gain, and gain efficiency of individually fed animals, and as the prevalence of abscesses within pens of animals increases, growth performance worsens. Because of the importance of the liver to metabolism, damage due to abscess could negatively affect energy utilization. A preliminary analysis indicates severe liver abscess incidence increases the requirement of metabolizable energy for maintenance.