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Uterine subinvolution in cows is a common phenomenon diagnosed in cattle shortly after calving. Violation of the development of the uterus, with proper treatment, does not cause serious consequences and does not lead to death, but the economic damage due to the lack of offspring can be quite significant. The reasons for the subinvolution of the uterus are most often its overstretching during multiple pregnancies or a large fetus, however, the conditions of keeping animals are also of no small importance in the development of pathology.
What is uterine subinvolution in cows
Involution of the uterus in cows is a slowdown in the recovery of an organ to the state in which it was before pregnancy. The subinvolution of the uterus is manifested in the following:
- its contractile functions are significantly weakened;
- the narrowing of muscle fibers slows down;
- atrophic (degenerative) processes begin;
- there is a suspension in the regeneration of the mucous membrane and blood vessels in the uterine region;
- the recovery of the ligamentous apparatus slows down.
All this leads to the fact that during subinvolution, a large number of lochia begins to accumulate in the uterine cavity - physiological postpartum secretions, which mainly consist of blood and mucus. As a result, the walls of the uterus are stretched, which prevents its contractile processes. If, at the same time, harmful microorganisms have penetrated into the lochia, the process of their active decomposition and decay begins - the decay products of the lochia and toxins are absorbed into the blood, and provoke a strong intoxication of the animal's body.
The danger to the health of cows is not so much the subinvolution of the uterus itself, but its consequences. Very often, if treatment is started, the disease leads to the development of acute and chronic endometritis in sick individuals, which can cause infertility. In addition, subinvolution of the uterus in cows in severe cases provokes functional disorders of the ovaries.
Etiology of uterine subinvolution in cows
The medical history of subinvolution of the uterus in a cow includes the following possible factors contributing to the development of pathology:
- lack of regular walking, lack of movement (especially closer to calving);
- poor feeding;
- excessive consumption of succulent feed (silage, stillage, bagasse);
- lack of vitamins;
- sufficient, but extremely monotonous diet;
- mechanical hyperextension of the uterine cavity with a large fetus or multiple pregnancies;
- dropsy of the embryo and membranes;
- delay in the release of the placenta;
- difficult childbirth and lack of timely assistance at the hotel;
- general weakening of the animal after a long illness.
It is also believed that the development of subinvolution of the uterus in cows occurs with mastitis, which disrupts the connection between the contractile functions of the uterine cavity and the mammary glands. In addition, pathology can manifest itself if, after giving birth, the cow is not allowed to lick the calf - this process usually triggers the awakening of the maternal instinct in animals.
Signs and diagnosis of uterine subinvolution
The first symptoms of uterine subinvolution include the following changes in the physiology and behavior of animals:
- the cow behaves sluggishly, apathetically;
- appetite decreases markedly;
- weight loss occurs;
- milk production drops significantly;
- absence of discharge from the birth canal within a week from childbirth, after which watery brown lochia are released in large quantities;
- the cervical canal remains slightly open (1-2 fingers freely pass into it).
Diagnose subinvolution of the uterus in cows through vaginal and rectal examination. Signs of pathology are severe edema of the mucous membranes of the vagina and hyperemia of the birth canal. Even two weeks after childbirth, the uterine cavity is noticeably enlarged in size compared to its state before pregnancy and is located in the lower abdominal cavity. With physical contact through the rectum, the laxity of the uterus is clearly felt, there is no contraction reaction to massage. Sometimes you can feel the caruncles through the wall of the uterine cavity.
Treatment of uterine atony in cows
It is not worth delaying the treatment of subinvolution of the uterus in cows - delay can lead to the fact that the pathology becomes chronic. Animals are treated in a complex manner, using simultaneously stimulating and symptomatic agents:
- Sick cows are injected intravenously or intra-aortically with "Oxytocin" or "Nitutrin" (10 units for every 100 kg of body weight with an interval of 3-4 days).
- Pituitrin is injected subcutaneously (4-6 units per 100 kg of weight).
- The "Methylergobrevina" solution (0.1-0.2 mg) has proven itself well in the treatment of uterine atony.
- Positive results are observed after injections of "Mammofizin" (13-15 units for every 100 kg of body weight).
- In case of severe intoxication, cows are injected intravenously with a 40% glucose solution (250-500 ml). The substance additionally helps to restore the tone of the uterine cavity.
- Once a day for three days, you can inject "Kamagsol-G" (200 ml). If necessary, this period is increased.
- 1% solution of "Ichthyol" is injected three times into a vein. It must first be diluted, according to the instructions.
- A tissue preparation (an extract from the liver and spleen is suitable) is injected subcutaneously (30-40 ml). Usually, a single use is sufficient, however, it is permissible to re-inject in a week if the first did not give the desired result.
- In the second week after childbirth, the heated "Sapropel" is used intravaginally, which should activate the contractile functions of the uterus in the cow and accelerate the process of removing lochia.
It should be noted that atony of the uterine cavity in cows greatly reduces muscle sensitivity to drugs such as Pituitrin, Mammofizin and Oxytocin. In order to enhance their effect on the body of a sick animal, it is necessary to conduct a single subcutaneous injection of 2% Sinestrol solution in a dosage of 2-3 ml a day before the administration of the drug.
If a large amount of secretions accumulates in the uterine cavity, and the use of drugs does not cause noticeable improvements, it is necessary to cleanse its contents mechanically. For this, the lochia is pumped out using a special vacuum pump.
It is especially important to pay attention to the nature of the bleeding. If they have a distinct smell of decomposition, this means that the intoxication process has begun. In this case, it is necessary to additionally rinse the cow's uterus with a disinfectant solution. As such, a solution of 3-5% sodium chloride or 2-3% bicarbonate of soda is suitable. After such treatment, the uterine cavity is necessarily washed with clean water.
Disease prognosis
Subinvolution of the uterus is a fairly common phenomenon and, in general, does not cause the development of serious pathologies in a sick animal.Septic intoxication occurs in exceptional cases. With timely treatment, the prognosis is positive - the cows recover rather quickly from the disease and do not experience problems with calving in the future.
On the other hand, if the disease is started, a variety of complications can arise. Most often, after subinvolution of the uterus, cows develop endometritis, which, in turn, leads to infertility.
Prevention of uterine subinvolution in cows
Disease prevention involves a set of the following measures:
- regular walking;
- a varied, complete diet with the use of vitamin supplements;
- timely assistance in difficult childbirth;
- intra-aortic administration of 1% novocaine solution;
- injections of vitamins A, B, D, E during the cold season, when animals are in stalls;
- drinking colostrum after childbirth;
- delivery of warm salted water;
- postpartum massage of the uterine cavity through the rectum;
- subcutaneous administration of "Oxytocin" or "Pituitrin" (30-40 U);
- intravenous injection of 20% glucose solution (200 ml).
Separately, it is worth noting subcutaneous injections of colostrum to sick animals - this is a very effective method for preventing uterine subinvolution in cattle. Colostrum is taken from a cow shortly after calving and 30 ml of the substance is injected daily for several subsequent days. The effect of colostrum on the tone of the reproductive organs is based on the rich content of estrogenic compounds that activate the motor function of the uterus.
Conclusion
Subinvolution of the uterus in cows is caused by the stretching of the organ after pregnancy, however, its insufficient tone is influenced, first of all, by a monotonous diet, excessive feeding with succulent feed and lack of movement. Thus, compliance with simple preventive measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing a disease in animals. Additionally, cows can be given a variety of stimulants for several weeks after calving to help them recover faster.
If you do not pay enough attention to the treatment of sick animals, they have a decrease in the period of productive use. In other words, such cows have to be culled, which causes significant economic damage to the farm.
For more information on how to treat postpartum inflammation in the uterine cavity in cattle, see the video below:
