Why does a calf have red urine: reasons for pissing with blood and what to do

The reproduction of the herd and the milk productivity of cows depend on the he alth of the reproductive and urinary system of cattle. In order not to miss the problem, you need to monitor the condition of the queens and calves after calving. Consider why a calf's urine is red, what diseases cows can get after calving, what to do to help animals.

Why and what to do if calves have bloody urine

Urine turns red with hematuria - red blood cells are released into the urine, which normally should not be there. Hematuria is observed most often in cows after 1-2 calving and in calves 4-5 months old.In calves, the cause of the development of the disorder may be drinking a large volume of water at a time or drinking cold or hot water. The kidneys cannot cope with the load, there is a violation of their work. The treatment is simple - give calves water at normal temperature, often and in small portions.

However, sometimes hematuria in calves can be a sign of piroplasmosis, you can distinguish an infection from a violation of the drinking regimen by the behavior of the animal - if it is active, eats well, the temperature is normal, it is he althy. With piroplasmosis, a calf or an adult animal is depressed, does not eat and moves little. A veterinarian should diagnose piroplasmosis and treat it.

Hematuria in cows that have given birth is also a sign of pathologies of the kidneys and urinary tract. Diseases can be a complication and a consequence of infectious diseases of the reproductive organs, in particular the uterus.

Pathogens from the diseased organ move to the ureters and kidneys, where they provoke inflammation.

Uterus subinvolution

This is one of the complications in the postpartum period, when the uterus is delayed in returning to its normal size, which was before pregnancy. Bleeding is a symptom of pathology, while blood is excreted from the uterus, and not from the urinary tract. But it may appear that the cow is urinating with blood, as the excretions are mixed with the urine.

The cause of subinvolution of the uterus may be an infection. Treatment is antibiotic therapy that eliminates inflammation. Pathology is characteristic only for cows who have given birth, and is not the cause of the problem if the calf pees with blood.

Endometritis

Inflammation of the inner layer of the uterus is mainly a postpartum complication, but it can also develop as a result of infection from other urinary organs. Endometritis in a cow can occur due to complicated childbirth, delayed placenta, the birth of a dead calf, and multiple pregnancies.

Inflammation can be caused by poor hygiene during calving, as well as improper nutrition before and after childbirth.

Several types of endometritis are registered in cattle: catarrhal, purulent-catarrhal and acute fibrous. The disease is acute and subacute. Antibiotics and hormone-like substances are used for treatment.

Chronic endometritis

Inflammation of the uterus of a chronic nature may not show symptoms, that is, it may be latent. It can temporarily manifest itself as complications in the form of cycle disorders, ovarian dysfunction and inability to conceive, signs of intoxication. Chronic endometritis can be the result of inflammation in the vagina, a decrease in immunity, the infection enters the body of livestock due to non-compliance with the rules of care, when cows in stalls lie on dirty bedding.

Urine interspersed with blood in cows with endometritis can appear if the infection has got not only into the uterus, but also into the urinary tract, and the kidneys and inflammation has occurred in them. The offspring - a bull or a heifer - do not suffer, the causes of the appearance of red urine must be sought elsewhere.

Hidden endometritis

This is a form of endometritis that is silent, without symptoms, so it is difficult to detect. It is usually diagnosed in animals after several unsuccessful inseminations in a row. Endometritis negatively affects reproductive function, as well as the quality of dairy products. Milk becomes less, its taste and composition deteriorate. However, the fact that the calf pisses blood is not affected by milk.

Vestibulitis

Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the vestibule of the vagina occurs in several forms. In acute diphtheria vestibulitis, a brown liquid with an admixture of blood and pieces of mucous is released from the affected organ.The temperature of the animal is increased, there is no appetite or it is reduced, depression.

Thus, the blood with vestibulitis is not in the urine, but gets there from the vagina.

Prevention measures

To ensure that the calf's urine is not red, but of a normal color, you need to properly feed and water him. A calf can drink a lot of water at a time, but you can't let him drink as much as he wants. It is recommended to drink it more often 3 times a day, but little by little, in portions of 3-4 liters. Water temperature should be moderate.

Don't feed him red beets, which can also stain the urine dark. If after the abolition of the diet with red-colored vegetables or the normalization of the drinking regimen, the problem has not disappeared, then you need to look for the cause elsewhere. Blood in the urine may indicate the development of piroplasmosis.

As for dairy cows, diseases of the internal organs, inflammation of the reproductive and urinary organs must be prevented by maintaining cleanliness in the barn, especially where cows with calves stand.After all, the infection enters the body of he althy animals from the outside. When animals stand and lie on clean bedding, they are less likely to become infected.

Urine of red color is a sign of disorders in the work of the kidneys. The reason may be in improper feeding or watering of calves, an infectious disease of internal organs in cows. In any case, blood in the urine is a reason to pay attention to the he alth of the animal and start treatment as soon as possible.

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