Prolapse of the uterus in cows after calving: causes and treatment

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Sometimes cow owners face problems after calving for their wet nurses. Postpartum uterine prolapse is one of the most serious complications. It is best for owners not to attempt the reduction themselves, it requires the assistance of an experienced bovine veterinarian.

How to properly prepare an animal for calving?

To reduce the chance of uterine prolapse in a cow after calving, the treatment of which is not always successful, it is necessary to properly prepare her for childbirth. It is not very difficult, you just need to be attentive to the nurse.

Preparation for a new calving begins even before coverage. It is undesirable to allow cows that have not reached the minimum weight, that is, 330-360 kilograms, to mating. At the time of coverage, the animal must be clinically he althy. Treat your pet for parasites in advance, put the necessary vaccinations.

It is undesirable to cover a cow with bulls from a common herd, as they often carry sexually transmitted infections. Sometimes the result of such a mating is gynecological problems, difficulties with pregnancy orher bearing. The best prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is artificial insemination. In this case, there is no chance of infection of the cow and there is the possibility of selecting a bull. The only drawback of this method is that it is not always possible to cover the animal the first time.

How long does a pregnant cow walk?

Childbirth is a complex process, they begin at the moment when the body is completely ready for this. How long does a pregnant cow walk? A little over 9 months, averaging 285 days. Of course, this does not mean that you can count the period from the date of coverage, and the animal will give birth exactly at that time. She can both tolerate pregnancy and calve earlier.

Usually it depends on hereditary predisposition, individual characteristics, care of the cow and her diet. It is very dangerous if the animal began to calve much ahead of time, the fetus may be born weak or even unviable. Often a lot of effort is spent on nursing a premature calf, but this does not always help.

Even more dangerous is a strong delay in calving. When a cow walks, the fetus in her womb grows and becomes larger. If it is too large, then there may be complications in childbirth, for example, prolapse of the uterus. In this case, at the time of calving, you can invite a veterinarian to help the animal in a timely manner.

How many calves can a cow bring?

Multiple pregnancy in a cow is a cause for concern for the owner. If it comes to lightseveral calves at once, the likelihood of complications increases markedly. The animal is already exhausted by contractions and attempts, the first fetus is born, the cow may simply not have the strength for the further process. Sometimes in this case, prolapse of the uterus occurs.

Multiple pregnancy is not typical for cattle, most often one cub is born. The frequency of twins in cows is from 2 to 7 per hundred, triplets - 2-3 per thousand. Four or more calves are even rarer.

If it seems to the owner that the belly of his cow in this pregnancy is much larger than in the past, then it is better to show the pet to the doctor. Ideally, you need to do an ultrasound. This will help determine the number of fetuses and predict possible complications.

Why can the uterus prolapse during calving?

Prolapse of the uterus in cows, which is quite difficult to treat, is more common in either heifers or older animals. If during pregnancy the nurse constantly stands on a chain without walking, then this increases the likelihood of postpartum complications. Not very useful for the cow and the lack of start, that is, the period when she is not milked. This exhausts the body of the animal and can lead to complications in childbirth.

Another cause of uterine prolapse in cows is rough fetal extraction. You can drag a calf only on an attempt, otherwise damage to the animal's genitals is possible. Poor care of a pregnant cow can also increase the chance of complications.

Sometimes the animal spontaneously increases intra-abdominal pressure, attempts becometoo strong, in this case, the uterus may come out with the calf. Contributes to the occurrence of complications and the presence of genital infections. Multiple pregnancy can also affect uterine prolapse.

First aid

If the owners saw that their cow's uterus fell out, then you need to give her first aid. First of all, you need to calm down and tune in to help the animal. A prolapsed uterus is not a particularly pleasant sight, but you need to maintain composure. You must immediately call a veterinarian, and before he arrives, try to help the cow yourself.

Clean the area in the shed where the animal's head is lower than the rump. Prepare antiseptics and warm water. Check the veterinary first aid kit for antibiotics, check the expiration date. Prepare also disposable needles and a drip system. Be sure to find some large, sterile towels or clean cloths. All this may be needed by a veterinarian.

Before the arrival of the doctor, try to independently control the condition of the cow. Be sure to close the calf in a separate fence, otherwise it will interfere with the healing process.

Treatment of an animal

Cow pregnancy is an exciting time for a farmer, because complications are possible in childbirth. If the animal has a uterus, then you need to call a veterinarian and start treatment in a timely manner.

First you need to separate the afterbirth. After the prolapsed uterus is washed either with a solution of alum, orweak potassium permanganate. If necessary, small wounds are cauterized with iodine or peroxide. A cleanly washed uterus is placed on a sterile tissue. After that, you can carry out the reduction. This should be done very carefully and slowly, trying to straighten the uterus and return it to its original position.

Afterward, the veterinarian sews up the walls of the vagina or labia to prevent re-fallout. After that, it is necessary to pierce the cow with a course of antibiotics. The next day, a second examination of the doctor is desirable to correct the treatment.

Can you help an animal without a veterinarian?

If the owner does not have the opportunity to call a veterinarian, then he will have to act on his own. In this case, you can invite an experienced cattle owner who has already done uterine reduction.

First, prepare a glucose solution or dilute a kilogram of sugar with water. This fluid must be poured over the uterus before it begins to contract. The animal should be positioned so that its head is above the croup. After that, it is desirable to inject a drug that will fight pain and spasms.

After 10-15 minutes, you can begin to set the uterus. This is not easy to do, so it is better to entrust the work to physically strong men. In the process of reduction, you need to smooth the uterus, trying to set it in its original place. After the stitches are applied. For them, it is better to use threads that have previously been moistened with iodine.

Prevention of postpartumcomplications

To reduce the likelihood of postpartum complications, it is important to properly select a bull for coverage. This is especially important for first-calf heifers, who may not be able to push out a large fruit. Artificial insemination is preferred, as it makes it possible to select a bull that gives birth to not very large calves.

Good living conditions are also very important. If there is unsanitary conditions in the barn, then the period of pregnancy in a cow can be difficult, which will certainly affect subsequent births. Choose the optimal diet for the wet nurse and monitor her fatness. It has long been noted that the highest percentage of complications in childbirth occurs in animals that are too fat or extremely emaciated.

The age of the cow's coat is also important. Animals that are inseminated weighing less than 300 kg are often difficult to calve. Undesirable coverage before the age of 14-18 months. If the owner provides good care to the cow throughout the entire period of pregnancy, then the birth most often goes well.