Résumé:

After calving, a cow will lick her calf and eat the afterbirth, which is usually pushed out soon after birth. Eating the afterbirth is a natural process and must not be discouraged because the afterbirth serves as a valuable source of nutrients for the cow. Where cows do not eat the afterbirth or leave pieces of it behind, these should ideally be buried to prevent the spread of disease.
Should the afterbirth remain in the uterus do not try and remove it forcibly. If long pieces of afterbirth are hanging out and are in danger of being trampled on by the cow, the pieces hanging down can be cut off at the level of the hocks.

Numéro de la demande dans RUN:

 3412

Instruction pratique:

Call a veterinarian doctor who will advise you on what to do but here is some useful information about the treatment. The basic goal in any treatment of retained
placentas is to return the cow’s reproductive tract
to a normal state as quickly as possible.
Partial retention may go unnoticed until
complications such as metritis (inflammation of
the uterus) or pyometra (pus in
uterus) develop. When noticed, affected cows may
have increased temperature; be off feed; be
depressed; have lowered milk production and have
a foul smelling vaginal discharge. These animals
should be examined and treated both systemically
with antibiotics (and possibly with intravenous
electrolytes and dextrose fluids) and Iocally with
intrauterine medication by or under the direction of
a veterinarian.
There are generally two methods of managing
retained placenta when no systemic involvements
are present—manual removal and natural
separation.
Manual removal has long been a common practice
but should not be used because of possible injury
to the delicate lining of the uterus (endometrium).
Some type of antibiotic or antiseptic solution may
be placed in the uterus as prescribed by a
veterinarian.
If the membranes are not released due to poor
uterine contractions, the afterbirth may detach
without damage by applying slight tension
externally to the fetal membranes.
Based on recent research on retained placenta, the
most common recommendation is to allow the
placenta to separate naturally with or without the
use of medication. Hormones such as
prostaglandins, estrogens and oxytocin may be
used to evacuate fluid and debris from the uterus.
Prostaglandins also may be used in the treatment
of pyometra.
If evacuation is not successful with hormonal
therapy, uterine palpation and irrigation may be
recommended using warm water, followed by
treatment with an antibiotic solution. A series of
intrauterine infusions is usually more effective
than a single treatment. The length and number of
treatments considered should be determined on an
individual basis as recommended by a veterinarian.
Nontreated cows with placental retention have
longer open intervals, fewer first service
conceptions and more breedings per conception
than cows with retained placentas that were
treated with antibiotic solutions.
It is extremely important to remember when
retained placentas are treated with antibiotics that
milk and meat withdrawal requirements must be
followed. The selection of one or more antibiotics
should be made by a veterinarian.
Prevention
Prevention of retained placentas, of course, is the
key. It may be rather difficult to pinpoint an exact
cause with so many direct or indirect factors that
can be incriminated. The optimum is to maintain a
healthy, contented and active cow prior to, during
and after parturition.
A balanced, limited ration during the 6-8 week dry
period; sufficient daily exercise; sufficiently large,
clean and comfortable calving areas (preferably on
pasture); and proper sanitary procedures during
the calving period minimize the chances of
retention and infections of the reproductive tract.
(http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/forglvst/Dairy/dirm21.pdf)

Conditions pour le succès:

Improve the cows diet to include vitamin A and D, phosphorus and calcium. A vet doctor will advise on the nutrition requirements of the cow to prevent other occurences of retained afterbirth.
A balanced, limited ration during the 6-8 week dry
period; sufficient daily exercise; sufficiently large,
clean and comfortable calving areas (preferably on
pasture); and proper sanitary procedures during
the calving period minimize the chances of
retention and infections of the reproductive tract.

Conditions pour l'échec:

neglecting the nutrient requirements of the cow.

Effet à court terme prévu:

the cow will not get any infection after the plcenta has been removed.

Effet prévu de mi-parcours:

Less chance of a retained afterbirth.

Effet à long terme attendue:

As above.

Nom de l'expert:

Alfonce Muasya

Profession d'expert:

Farm Manager

Date de la réponse:

11/12/2006

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