Endometritis is an inflammation that appears on the mucous membrane of the uterus. From the point of view of the reproductive system of cows, the uterus is a very sensitive organ in which inflammation can often occur. However, not everyone can be called endometritis. There are other types of diseases caused by uterine inflammation, but only other parts of it. This separation is conditional, however, if the disease leaves itself by gravity, it can flow into myotetritis and then into perimeter. The most common are endometritis, which is divided into chronic and acute, manifested after the cow is calving. Such endometritis is called postpartum.
In this article, we will consider in detail endometritis in a cow.
Causes of endometritis
The main problem faced by the reproductive organs of a cow is getting an infection that causes an inflammatory process. The causative agent can enter the uterus of the animal with ascending inflammation (vaginitis, vestibulitis) or with obstetric care. Often, bacteria also penetrate during pregnancy, at 5 months during a partial liquefaction of the mucous plug or estrus.
Endometritis in a cow can develop as a secondary disease in tuberculosis, brucellosis, or after delay in the afterbirth.
A very important point, and sometimes the main one, in the development of endometritis is the issue of care, feeding and keeping animals. Most often, endometritis is caused by opportunistic microbes that exhibit a destructive effect only when the resistance of the cow decreases. Factors contributing to the manifestation of endometritis:
- Often, the disease is provoked by inflammatory processes that begin in the cervix or vagina.
- During pregnancy, the animal was struck by a serious infectious disease (chlamydia, brucellosis and others). At first, placentitis develops, flowing into acute postpartum endometritis in cows.
- In difficult births, injury to the uterine mucosa is possible, leading to infection. Sometimes there is a delay in the placenta, eversion or prolapse of the uterus.
- Transfer of cow abortion that caused infection.
- If in the barn the conditions of unsanitary conditions, as well as veterinarians used non-sterile instruments during childbirth, they forgot to wash their hands and did not comply with other hygiene requirements, then inflammation can occur. The work of an amateur often leads to the disease: rough work, inept separation of the placenta, improper postpartum treatment, lack of antimicrobial prophylaxis.
The clinical picture and diagnosis
How is endometritis manifested in a cow? Cattle can become infected with several forms of this disease, the differentiation of which is important both from the point of view of etymology and for the provision of proper medical care.
Purulent catarrhal acute form
The most common disease in cattle is the course of the disease, which is accompanied by some inhibition, decreased productivity and appetite, and low-grade fever. Often the disease appears after the cow has calved, and it can be detected when a catarrhal exudate with impurities of pus white-green is secreted from the external genitalia in the form of small puddles of pus in the morning.
This is purulent-catarrhal endometritis in cows. The medical history may be different.
- Fluctuation with the possible release of exudate during diagnosis.
- Tenesmus, curving the back of an animal during urination.
- Decreased tone, weak reaction to massage.
- On examination, the openness of the cervical canal is established.
- No changes in anticipation of the vagina.
- Identification of an increase in uterine horns by rectal palpation.
If the living conditions and treatment of the animal are improved in a timely manner, then the disease will have a positive result. Very often it is taken for the reverse development of the uterus, which increases the development of pathology and leads to complications.
What else can endometritis be in a cow?
Fibrinous inflammation
Against the background of uterine injuries, fibrinous inflammation develops. Very often it manifests itself after the unskilled help of obstetricians. Exudation of fibrin occurs after mechanical damage to the mucosa and other layers of the reproductive organs.
The clinical difference lies in the nature of the exudate, in which fibrin filaments are present. You can distinguish by rubbing pus between your fingers according to a characteristic crisp sound. Vaginal changes in the form of injuries of the mucous membrane are often noted. This is not the whole classification of endometritis in cows.
Gangrenous and necrotic form
This manifestation of the disease is considered the most severe, characterized by the fact that the cow's state of health worsens significantly: productivity decreases sharply; appetite worsens; frequent, shallow breathing appears; temperature rises above 41 degrees; the pulse quickens; obstruction and depression appear.
In the reproductive organs there are obvious, serious changes. The introduction of pathogenic microflora, often anaerobic, and trauma lead to the decay of the epithelium and its underlying layers. Fibrin impregnates the surrounding tissues and they thicken. Rectal diagnosis helps to identify thickening of the walls of the uterus, pain during palpation and a pasty, dense texture.
The exudate contains curd pus, blood, pieces of tissue that began to decay, a mushy mass. The genitals on examination are edematous and have longitudinal red stripes. The animal has a very high local temperature. The treatment of chronic endometritis in cows is discussed below.
Chronic inflammation
Improper medication can cause a chronic development of the acute form of the disease. It is characterized by structural changes, replacement by structural tissue of the epithelium, atrophy of the glands or the formation of cysts in them.
Chronic catarrhal-purulent endometritis in cows is not clinically apparent:
- Along the lymph nodes on the vagina, reddened areas are noted.
- After the cow lies at night, a certain amount of exudate of a transparent color is usually formed.
- The external genitalia slightly swell.
To clarify the diagnosis, a rectal examination is usually performed . It reveals a slight increase in uterine folding and thickening of the walls of the uterus. The animal’s body weight increases, horns and the body can hang down and the pubic bones. Samples are taken with a vaginal spoon. They detect an increase in white blood cells and dead epithelial cells.
Hidden current
This form of endometritis is chronic without special clinical manifestations. Often, it is found in violation of the stages of excitation and the absence of productive insemination, which happens in connection with the pathogenic effect of microflora and the formation of toxic waste products. The connection of endometritis in cows with mastitis is close.
To clarify the diagnosis, a vaginal smear is taken or a histological examination of a biopsy of the uterine epithelium is performed. A smear will show chronic endometritis, and histology will show the accumulation of lymphoid cells and dystrophic disorders.
What is the treatment for chronic endometritis in cows?
Therapeutic help
The start of treatment for endometritis in cows is the removal of uterine contents. When the exudate is separated, its detrimental effect is reduced, the work of local medicines improves. The contents of the genital tract are removed by three types of products: massage, washing the uterus, stimulating contractile function.
Washing
Rinsing with endometritis is carried out with sterile and non-aggressive antiseptic agents: aqueous solutions of potassium permanganate 0.02%, iodine and furatsilina; 3% solution of ichthyol; 2-3% sodium bicarbonate solution; hypertonic salt solutions (improve separation of contents, enhance endometrial secretion).
The solutions are injected with a syringe to Janet, a mug of Esmorch. Pre-preparations are heated to body temperature. Solutions are introduced in large quantities, and the increase in volume depends on the severity of the process.
Preparations
Various drugs increase the tone of the uterus and its contractile function: 20-40 ml of PDE subcutaneously, 20-30 units of Oxytocin, up to 1 ml of Carbacholine. These drugs are administered at a time with washing, which contributes to a more rapid evacuation of exudate.
The alternation of local drug administration and the use of stimulants for the myometrium is very important.
Rectal massage promotes the separation of pus from the uterus and enhances its contractile function. The massage begins with the introduction of a hand in a plastic glove as in a rectal examination, and after detecting the body of the uterus, they begin to do longitudinal strokes. When conducting such a massage, mechanical separation of the contents and irritation of the reproductive organs occurs. The procedure alternates with stimulating injections, since their simultaneous use, in particular with an overdose of Oxytocin, can lead to loss. This is how subclinical endometritis is treated in cows.
Specific therapy
Local treatment is used to suppress microflora by introducing liquid and solid forms of sulfonamides, antiseptics and antibiotics into the uterine cavity:
- "Ihglyukovita", an oily alcoholic solution of ichthyol;
- "Tylosinocar", an intrauterine complex drug based on an antibiotic;
- Ginobiotic tablets;
- "Biometrosanita", tablets for uterine administration, which are characterized by foaming, enhancing their action;
- furazolidone sticks;
- ichthyol sticks.
In addition to local drugs, it is possible to prescribe a general course of antibiotics. They are used depending on the condition in which the animal is located and restrictions on the use of products (accumulate in meat and milk). Good results can be achieved by adding antibiotics to novocaine blockade.
Features of the treatment of individual forms of endometritis
Infusion of antiseptic fluids and the use of rectal massage are prohibited with necrotic or gangrenous inflammation of the uterine mucosa. Such forms of the disease are characterized by minimal secretion, and excess irritation will cause additional ruptures of the endometrium. It is necessary to carry out a general antitoxic treatment, that is, an intravenous infusion of a Ringer-Locke solution, calcium gluconate, Hemodez, 5% glucose and saline. Antibiotics are also prescribed in combination with novocaine blockade.
If the disease has passed into the chronic stage, treatment is not always advisable, which is associated with destructive processes. With the elimination of inflammation, the endometrium will still be immune to the embryo.
Veterinary science is studying this. Endometritis in cows (we examined the treatment) is a rather dangerous disease.
Prevention
The task of treating cows for endometritis is extremely difficult and often expensive. In addition, the use of many drugs leads to the fact that drinking milk from a sick cow and eating its meat is contraindicated for a long time, because drugs accumulate in the tissues and organs of the animal. And therefore, the best way would be to carry out preventive measures that contribute to the prevention of postpartum endometritis. How to prevent the disease?
Properly organize obstetric care. To do this, you need to control the birth process, prepare the room and equipment. Such a prophylaxis is necessary for every household, and exclusively experienced specialists should deal with pregnant cows. It is worth equipping separate birth boxes where animals should be transferred in advance. Before placing the animals in the stall, it and the feeders must be disinfected, and after drying and processing the floor is covered with dry and clean sawdust or straw.
Organize walks by animals. After two to three days after the birth of the calf, the cow should walk, which will be a good prevention of diseases. You should not forget about pregnant cows, they also need walks before childbirth. Walking is useful for preventing postpartum diseases and for the birth itself.
Prevention of all calving cows. Special preparations must be used to treat all animals in the first postpartum days. Greater attention is required by animals after difficult childbirth or retention of the placenta.
In the dry period , vitamins should be given to prevent the occurrence of diseases after calving. It is necessary to properly and balanced feed animals.
In the article, we examined in detail the pathogenesis of endometritis in cows.