Liver abscesses in feedlot cattle are a welfare consequence of high-grain feeding causing rumen acidosis, with prevention being both a welfare priority and an economic imperative.
Liver abscesses cause chronic welfare harm through subclinical infection, reduced appetite, and systemic inflammatory burden. Many affected cattle show no obvious clinical signs, meaning welfare compromise persists undetected. Prevention through appropriate dietary management - gradual transition to high-energy diets with adequate roughage - is both a welfare priority and reduces antibiotic dependency. Improved welfare through dietary management creates a business case independent of welfare concern alone.