The cow uterus is extremely susceptible to the development of pathogenic microflora. Most horned animals in the postpartum period are likely to develop inflammation of the mucous organ. Cows endometritis usually manifests itself rapidly. There is a high risk of death.
Disease Description
Pathogenic bacteria rapidly multiply on the mucous membrane of the uterus of the animal. The body begins to secrete toxins, which only contributes to the aggravation of the inflammatory process. If pathogenic microflora penetrates into the deeper tissues of the uterus, the animal's body can no longer cope with the inflammatory process on its own. Complicated endometritis develops in cows, the treatment of which can be quite long.
Initially, the disease always develops in an acute form. The animal feels worse, the cow becomes lethargic, refuses to eat. If the therapy is not carried out correctly, the animal may encounter chronic inflammation, which will be characterized by periods of remission and exacerbations. Chronic endometritis in cows can be treated much worse. Subsequently, most animals lose the ability to produce offspring.
Catarrhal endometritis
A disease in this form is the least dangerous. Inflammation affects only the superficial layers of the uterus. Often, unpleasant symptoms develop immediately after the birth of the calf. At this stage, making the correct diagnosis is much more difficult due to the fact that immediately after calving from the birth canal, bloody discharge called lochia is observed. Subsequently, the inflammatory process may worsen.
Catarrh endometritis in cows is treated quite simply if the disease is diagnosed in a timely manner. In some cases, pathology can occur in a latent form. Over time, inflammation worsens, becoming chronic. Therefore, a qualified veterinarian should carefully examine the animal immediately after delivery. This avoids the consequences of the cow.
Purulent endometritis in cows
The disease in this form is characterized by more pronounced symptoms. In the damaged uterine epithelium, bacterial microflora develops. Purulent catarrhal endometritis can also be diagnosed. In cows, the pathological process develops no later than a week after the birth of the calf. Damaged uterine cells begin to secrete a large amount of infiltrate (fluid containing toxins). The animal is significantly deteriorating. The cow's temperature rises, she begins to refuse food, and behaves uneasily. In addition, the animal lost milk.
That the condition of the cow has deteriorated significantly is evidenced by a special posture. The cow arches its back as if it is about to urinate, raises its tail. In this position, the cow is due to severe pain. Purulent endometritis in cows has another characteristic feature - sticky discharge from the urethra. Exudate has an unpleasant putrefactive odor.
Treatment of endometritis in cows at this stage requires the use of antibiotics. Drugs are selected taking into account the sensitivity of pathogenic microflora.
Fibrous endometritis
In this form, the disease also in most cases develops after the birth of the calf. If the animal is distinguished by good immunity, the pathological process passes quickly without special treatment. Cows often experience complications after the first birth. Despite the fact that the uterus is not deeply affected, fibrotic inflammation develops. Yellowish films form inside the organ.
If the well-being of the animal begins to rapidly deteriorate, this may indicate the transition of the disease into a necrotic form or the formation of sepsis.
Necrotic metritis
If the birth of the animal has passed with complications, severe tears, damage to the epithelium appeared, in the best case postpartum endometritis will develop. In cows that give birth for the first time, the situation is often complicated by necrotic metritis. This is a disease in which there is a rapid destruction of uterine tissue. Purulent foci of inflammation appear. If the animal is not helped in a timely manner, it dies.
Being rejected, uterine tissues begin to secrete toxins. Harmful substances spread throughout the cow's body. As a result, dangerous complications develop, such as inflammation of the musculoskeletal system, arthritis, etc. Acute endometritis with necrotic tissue damage is rapidly progressing. The animal's health significantly worsens, which can be easily noticed. Symptoms such as heart palpitations, fever, diarrhea appear. A characteristic feature of necrotic metritis is hind limb paralysis. A cow cannot stand, refuses food and water.
If there is no complete therapy, in just a few days the animal can die. Therefore, it is important to seek the help of a veterinarian in a timely manner, even if endometritis in cows is at an early stage of development.
Gangrenous metritis
The disease in this form develops with a running putrefactive process. Anaerobic bacteria enter the damaged uterine epithelium. The treatment of endometritis in cows in this form is long and expensive. In many cases, it is not possible to save the animal at all. The cow has symptoms of severe intoxication, and sepsis of the affected uterine tissue develops. The following symptoms are also characteristic: a strong heartbeat, rapid breathing, a significant increase in body temperature, a significant decrease in the amount of milk. The condition of the cow at this stage is characterized as severe. The animal cannot stand, it can be unconscious.
In most cases, the disease proceeds in parallel with various vaginal infections. In addition, inflammation can pass to the peritoneum of the cow. As a result, peritonitis develops. It often happens that the uterus is quickly filled with purulent contents, which does not have time to flow out. The threat of organ rupture is growing, which also leads to the inevitable death of the animal.
The causes of the pathological process
Acute endometritis of cows in most cases develops after childbirth. Incorrect manipulations lead to the fact that the inflammatory process begins in the animal. The factors contributing to the ingress of pathogenic microflora into the uterus include: lack of disinfection of instruments, poor hygiene of the veterinarian, frequent abortions without observing safety standards.
In some cases, endometritis in an animal is not associated with delivery. Inflammation can develop if the conditions of the cow are violated: regular cleaning is not carried out in the stable, hygiene procedures are not carried out to the cow. In addition, the animal may have weakened immunity. For this reason, endometritis often develops in the winter-spring period. Inflammatory processes in the vagina can also become a trigger. Therefore, even if the cow behaves absolutely normal, before planning her pregnancy, it is worthwhile to conduct a routine examination at the veterinarian.
When to start worrying?
Unfortunately, at an early stage, it is not possible to diagnose endometritis in a cow. Symptoms can be so mild that it is almost impossible to notice them. Signs of acute inflammation include: the presence of putrefactive elements with an unpleasant odor in the animal’s suckers, a sharp decrease in milk yield, a decrease in the animal’s appetite, a sharp weight loss, and an increase in body temperature.
Only a qualified veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis. Initially, a visual examination of the vagina of the animal is carried out. Characteristic is an increase in the walls of the organ, the appearance of mucous or putrefactive secretions. In the genital area of the animal, gray, dried crusts may be noticeable. It is possible to precisely determine what caused the pathological process due to histological examination of the discharge. In addition, in this way, a specialist can determine the sensitivity of pathogenic microflora in order to prescribe appropriate therapy.
Treatment
A comprehensive recovery of the animal allows to achieve complex therapy, which includes alleviating the condition of the cow, fighting infection, eliminating the source of the pathological process. The animal must be under veterinary control. Pathogenic medium is removed from the uterus, an antiseptic treatment of the organ is performed. Drugs that activate tissue regeneration processes are used. If the cause of the disease is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are used.
Of great importance is also the stimulation of the defenses of the cow. Immunomodulatory drugs may be used. Vitamin therapy shows good results.
When endometritis is detected in a cow, in no case should its treatment be started without special skills and knowledge. Only a qualified veterinarian can carry out the therapy correctly.
Sepranol
No matter what the endometritis develops in cows, the symptoms and treatment directly depend on which microflora is caused by the disease. In most cases, veterinarians diagnose a bacterial infection. Therapy is carried out using drugs with a wide spectrum of action. Good results in the treatment of endometritis are shown by Sepranol. The active ingredients of the drug are chlorhexidine and propranolol. The drug is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. If you start therapy at an early stage, you can cope with unpleasant symptoms with the Sepranol solution in a matter of days.
If the cervix of the animal is open, a medicine in the form of suppositories can be used. Thus, the active ingredients penetrate the damaged epithelium faster. After the introduction of the drug, cow’s milk for food cannot be used for two days.
Uteroton
This drug is also widely used in veterinary practice. In case of endometritis in cows, Uteroton stimulates the body’s defenses, helps to eliminate toxins and reduce the uterus. In addition, the medicine helps the cow recover after labor, so it is widely used for preventive purposes. The active ingredient is propranolol.
The drug with independent use will not give a positive result. In most cases, Uteroton is used as part of complex therapy for endometritis of horned animals. The drug is not used to treat cows that have not previously given birth. During pregnancy, the medicine is also not used. Uteroton can cause premature contractions.
Lexoflon
The drug also belongs to the category of antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action and can be used for endometritis caused by a bacterial infection. The active ingredient is levofloxacin. The substance easily penetrates the affected uterine tissue, inhibits the activity of pathogenic microflora. In veterinary practice, a medicine in the form of a solution is used.
After using the Lexoflon preparation, cow’s milk for food purposes can be used only after 96 hours. And even after this period the product can be used only for feeding animals after heat treatment. Slaughter of a cow for meat can be carried out 9 days after the administration of the drug.
Prevention of endometritis in cows
Unpleasant consequences can be avoided if regular preventive veterinary examination of the animal is carried out. Particular attention is required to the process of childbirth. After the calf is born, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the birth canal of the animal using an antiseptic solution. As a prevention of endometritis, Sepranol or Uteroton can be used.
It will be useful to monitor the immune system of the animal. The cow should fully rest and eat.