Vaginitis in cows: causes and symptoms, treatment of cattle and prevention

Infectious diseases such as vaginitis can be dangerous if they spread quickly within a herd after one individual is sick. The disease has a negative effect on the reproductive system of cows, provoking violations of reproductive processes. Consider the causes and signs of vaginitis in cows, how to diagnose and treat the disease, what preventive measures to take.

What is vaginitis

Vaginitis in cattle is a pathology of an infectious nature, in which there is swelling, inflammation of the vaginal mucosa in females. Usually sick are young cows of breeding age or weakened, already having some kind of disease.Calves rarely get sick. Vaginitis spreads quickly, and animals in the herd can become ill within a few days. If left untreated, the infection can lead to endometritis, sepsis, and more. Despite complications, vaginitis does not cause infertility.

Vaginitis can be of several types:

serous, in which there is swelling and small hemorrhages;
catarrhal-purulent, characterized by swelling, ulcers on the mucous membrane, erosions, hemorrhages;
diphtheria, which is characterized by an increase in temperature, spotting with an unpleasant odor, fibrosis of the vaginal mucosa;
phlegmonous, differs from the previous type in purulent discharge interspersed with necrotic tissue.

The incubation period for this disease is 3 weeks.

Causes and risk factors

The causative agents of vaginitis are streptococci.Bacteria enter the body of cows when sick individuals come into contact with he althy ones, during mating (bulls do not get sick, but remain carriers of the infection). Bacteria are transmitted to cows through dirty bedding, manure, uncleaned and undisinfected inventory, care products, feeders, drinkers.

Streptococci enter the cow's body through damage to the mucous membrane of the genital organs, which the animal can receive during childbirth, mating, both natural and artificial. There is a possibility of infection with improper treatment of diseases of the vagina, when burns remain from the drugs.

The likelihood of developing vaginitis is increased by chronic diseases, recent infections that weaken the immunity of animals. Cows get sick with vaginitis for a long time, often they can get sick again.

Signs and symptoms of the problem

With vaginitis, a sick individual behaves restlessly, is nervous, waves its tail, arches its back, spreads its legs. Discharge flows from the vagina (bloody, with mucus, pus) and dries up on the inner surface of the tail. The genitals swell, redden. The cow urinates and defecates more often.

In sires, vaginitis occurs without symptoms. The only signs are sometimes small nodules the size of a grain of millet appear on the surface of the penis, bulls can lose weight with good nutrition, the disease can lead to impotence.

Diagnostic measures

It is impossible to make a correct diagnosis on your own, because the symptoms of vaginitis are similar to those of other bovine diseases. For example, vaginitis must be differentiated from brucellosis, vibriosis, trichomoniasis. In addition to confirming vaginitis, you need to establish its subspecies, the scheme and course of treatment, the choice of drug depends on this.For research, a swab is taken from the vagina of a diseased individual.

How to treat vaginitis in cattle

First of all, after making a diagnosis, a sick animal must be placed in a separate, remote stall. The place where it stood must be cleaned and disinfected in order to destroy the infection. Then change the bedding.

Treatment time is approximately 2 weeks. In acute vaginitis, the cow is given antibiotics and the vagina is washed every day.

For washing, use a warm solution of potassium permanganate of low concentration, 1% solution of s alt or soda. With intense inflammation, novocaine or ichthyol ointment is used, a mixture of fat and opium tincture in a ratio of 9 to 1. Furacillin is used (4 tablets per 1 liter), Vagotil (15 ml per 1 liter), hydrogen peroxide (1% th solution), with spotting - a solution of alum (3% solution)

For the introduction of medicines, a large syringe is used, boiled water is used to prepare the solution. Washing is done 1 time per day, with severe inflammation - 2 times, in the mornings and evenings.

After washing, the vagina is lubricated with synthomycin, ichthyol or tetracycline ointment. The agent is applied to a tampon, inserted into the vagina and left for a day. Then it is replaced with a new one.

From folk remedies, an infusion of onions, honey and garlic is used. Honey infusion is prepared from 1 tbsp. l. honey and Ichthyol. A swab is moistened in a warm solution, placed in the vagina for 3 hours. Onion infusion is prepared from onion juice and Ichthyol, which are taken in equal proportions. Dilute with 2/3 of water. This remedy lubricates the mucous membranes of the genital organs. Garlic infusion is prepared from garlic juice (1 part), Ichthyol (3 parts) and water (6 parts). A tampon is moistened in it and left for the whole day in the cow's vagina.

Prevention

Due to the likelihood of re-infection, attention must be paid to the prevention of the disease. All sick animals should be kept separately until complete recovery. Stalls of sick cows should be disinfected with slaked lime.

Because the infection is transmitted by mating, it is better to use artificial insemination rather than natural insemination. This method is more hygienic. During childbirth, it is necessary to observe sterility, change the litter, treat the genitals of the cow with an antiseptic.

Cleanliness is important not only during childbirth, bedding and equipment should always be clean. Cleanliness reduces the chance of getting vaginitis and any other infections.

Vaginitis in cows is an infection that can lead to complications such as endometritis, general infection and other problems. The disease is contagious, but well treatable. With timely therapy, the prognosis for cows is favorable.