Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle cause significant welfare harm and are largely preventable through dietary management and appropriate antimicrobial use.
Liver abscesses cause chronic pain and systemic illness in affected cattle. The welfare cost is significant - animals with active liver abscesses have reduced feed intake, lower growth rates, and chronic infection. Prevention through dietary management that prevents the rumen acidosis predisposing to liver abscess is both a welfare and antibiotic stewardship priority. Reducing reliance on tylosin as a preventive antimicrobial requires dietary management improvements.