Endometritis in cows: types and symptoms, treatment regimen and prevention

Endometritis is a disease that brings a lot of anxiety to the farmer. With endometritis, the middle layer of the wall of the cow's uterus becomes inflamed, which leads to possible infertility and even death of the animal. Treatment of endometritis in cows includes symptomatic and antibiotic therapy and lasts at least 2 weeks. The prognosis for the disease is cautious, with a high risk of possible complications.

Main causes of endometritis in cows

Endometritis is caused by bacteria of the genus Escherichia and Trueperella, which are normally found in the body in the intestines and on the surface of the skin, and are considered opportunistic pathogens.When entering a sterile uterus, bacteria cause severe inflammation that affects the inner layer of the wall - the endometrium.

Bacteria can enter the uterus in various ways - with improper sterilization of gynecological instruments, violation of the technique of calving, artificial insemination, vaginal and rectal examination. Endometritis can provoke concomitant diseases of the genitourinary system. Especially susceptible to pathology are old or sick cows or those who received malnutrition during pregnancy and childbirth.

During the postpartum period, cows should receive especially plentiful and complete nutrition. Weakened immunity is unable to fight pathogens.

Types of diseases

There are several varieties of the disease. The most common is myometritis - inflammation of the muscular membrane of the uterine wall. Doctors call perimetritis a threatening pathology - inflammation of the mucous membrane and surrounding tissues.The mucosa is very sensitive to the actions of pathogenic factors and is poorly restored, and this can also cause inflammation of nearby organs.

Purulent-catarrhal endometritis is distinguished by the characteristic discharge from the vagina - yellow, brown or brown in color, with abundant mucus. Acute metritis appears immediately after childbirth, the characteristic signs can be seen the very next day. Fibrous endometritis has another name - chronic endometriosis. The sensitive mucosa is gradually replaced by coarse fibrinous tissue, which dramatically reduces the cow's fertility.

Main symptoms

At first glance, you can tell about the poor he alth and oppression of the animal. The cow is standing in the corner, not touching hay or water, breathing heavily. The chewing gum is missing. The disease may be accompanied by sudden weight loss. Milk ceases to be produced or is produced in reduced quantities.Characterized by the discharge of mucus from the vagina. Depending on the type of endometritis, the mucus can be of a different color - from transparent to brown, reddish. If the mucus collects in flakes and creaks on the fingers, then this is a sure sign of incipient fibrous endometritis.

During rectal examination, an increase in local and general temperature is clearly felt, the uterus can be enlarged.

Cow stands in an unnatural position, as if about to begin the process of urination. The animal can react aggressively to people, moan in pain.

Diagnosis

To diagnose endometritis, an external clinical examination, history taking, vaginal and rectal examinations are used. Additionally, cultures of pathological material are taken to determine the exact type of pathogen and carry out appropriate treatment.Sometimes a CBC may be required.

It is important to diagnose the disease at an early stage. Delayed start of treatment can adversely affect the reproductive system of the cow and lead to infertility. This approach causes huge economic losses for the farm, so all animals must be examined daily by a veterinarian or attendants.

Cow endometritis treatment regimen

Treatment of endometritis involves the use of antibiotics as the main component of therapy. Antimicrobials successfully cope with Escherichia and other microorganisms, returning the uterus to natural sterility. But at the same time, the microflora of the vagina is also destroyed, which maintains a normal acid balance for the passage of spermatozoa. Therefore, after antibiotic treatment, cows are unsuitable for insemination for 2-3 months.

Antimicrobial therapy

Antimicrobials in this case are antibiotics designed for Gram-negative bacteria. In Europe, Ceftiofur and Cefapirin have long been used. The substances are perfectly tolerated by the cow's body and do not harm the animal.

Antibiotics are diluted in a sterile solution and administered intrauterine. Preparations can be given even to a lactating cow, and milk is not disposed of, but fed to calves. The approach is considered economical and efficient, especially for smaller farms.

Prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that stimulate the production of the corpus luteum, have also become widespread. The cow comes into heat faster and recovers after a serious illness. A month after the onset of the disease, the animal can be considered fully recovered. The drugs "Estrophan" and "Luteostenol" combine antibiotics and prostaglandins and bring a double effect for recovery.

Antiseptic treatment

For antiseptic treatment of the uterus, the drug "Sepranol", widely used in veterinary medicine, has proven itself well. "Sepranol" is diluted in sterile water or saline and administered intrauterine using a catheter. To prevent the resumption of the disease, you can use Uteroton, which destroys repeated foci of bacterial growth. The medicine acts immediately and has almost no effect on the kidneys and liver.

You can treat a cow with propranolol, which is contained in several drugs, both domestic and foreign. The course of therapy lasts 3-4 weeks and at least the same amount of time you can not eat the meat and milk of the animal. It is allowed to feed products to carnivores, and in the last stages of treatment - to give milk to calves in the form of cottage cheese.

Prevention measures

Prevention of endometritis is the exact observance of the technique of artificial insemination, calving and vaginal examination. It is unacceptable to use dirty or non-sterile instruments, take one speculum for several cows, or take birth in an unsuitable room. Long before calving, the cow is transferred to a special birth box, which is treated daily with disinfectants. The same applies to postpartum rooms. Advanced farms use special quartz lamps for sterilization.

Before starting the cows, their diet must be corrected, saturate with enough nutrients, and additional vitamins and minerals are introduced. In the warm season, it is advisable to organize walking and provide a sufficient amount of green fodder, vegetables.

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