Contents
Calving of a cow is an important stage of the animal’s pregnancy, which ends with the birth of a calf. This is a complex process and may have some consequences for the heifer. In order to recognize possible troubles in time and help the body recover, each livestock breeder must know how the birth goes, how long the bleeding after calving in a cow goes, and what is considered a normal variant.
Discharge from a cow before calving
Even before the birth of the calf, the body of the cow begins to prepare for an important event. There are changes that you need to pay attention to, for example, bleeding. They can talk about the imminent hotel or the threat of premature birth.
When does pre-calving discharge start?
When the calf is ready to be born, a characteristic discharge can be observed from the genital tract of the cow. They can appear a day before calving, which is normal for a heifer. In an adult animal, this time period is reduced. As a rule, the discharge indicates an imminent birth, the calf will appear in 12-15 hours.
What can be discharge before calving
Normally, before calving, cervical mucus comes out of the cow’s genital tract, which lubricates the birth canal. This is necessary for the comfortable advancement of the fetus.
From the moment when the discharge from the cow began, the heifer must be under constant control. Immediately before childbirth, a watery liquid leaves her – these are waters. They may contain minor impurities or blood clots.
Such secretions are considered the norm and accompany the process of childbirth. However, this only happens when the calf moves head first. If the position of the fetus is incorrect or some violations have occurred, then the discharge from the cow has an uncharacteristic color, becomes bloody.
What discharge before calving is not the norm
Pink or brown discharge before calving in a cow is considered a pathology. It is also bad when there are blood impurities in the mucus. This suggests that while moving through the birth canal, the calf injured the blood vessels. However, this condition is not a threat to the life of the heifer. Blood vessels are quickly restored. Immediately after calving, the uterus is carefully examined, disinfecting solutions are injected and antibacterial suppositories are prescribed.
Much worse if the discharge becomes bloody. This already speaks of intrauterine bleeding. You cannot deal with this situation on your own. Childbirth requires surgical intervention. Bleeding may indicate:
- incorrect position of the fetus;
- uterine ruptures;
- vaginal injuries.
In the first case, they try to turn the fetus over with their hands, otherwise an operation will be required.
Bleeding requires immediate diagnosis. They can develop directly in the uterus or in the vagina. After calving, the birth canal is washed and inspected. Vaginal bleeding passes without clots. The presence of such indicates an intrauterine rupture.
In this case, you need to help the cow immediately. The placenta is separated, and all actions are directed to contraction of the uterus. The cow is injected with “oxytocin” – a hormone that constricts blood vessels. The injection is made under the skin. Ichthyol and sodium chloride are given intravenously. Next, put on a bandage and apply a heating pad with ice. After calving, vitamin treatment is prescribed for at least 5 days intramuscularly.
When there is a lot of bleeding during calving, antimicrobial therapy is used to prevent the development of infections. If it is not possible to administer drugs intravenously, then this is done with the help of an enema pear.
Discharge from a cow after calving
Normally, after calving, each cow begins to have blood lochia, which helps the uterus to clear and contract. If the birth went without complications, then they will not last long. With ruptures and other violations, the period of cleansing and healing is delayed.
How long can the discharge go after calving
Immediately after calving, bleeding from the vagina is observed, which in a healthy cow will last 14 days. On the 15th day they should stop completely.
What can be discharge after calving
However, in the first three days, the lochia is bloody, bright, reminiscent of fresh blood. Gradually they acquire a slimy character, become white and stop. At the same time, the animal feels good, no external changes occur, the body temperature is normal, and the appetite is healthy.
What discharge after calving is not the norm
If, after calving, the cow’s discharge differs from those described, has impurities of a yellow secret or purulent inclusions, then this indicates the development of a pathological process. Complications after calving lead to serious diseases:
- vaginitis;
- endometritis;
- metritis.
Therefore, it is simply necessary to monitor the nature of lochia in the first few days. This will help to recognize the disease at the first stage and allow you to start treatment on time.
Vaginitis is manifested by white or yellow lochia, the absence of blood exudate. The disease provokes an inflammatory process in the vagina. If you do not pay attention to this in time, then the lochia gradually from the mucous membranes become grainy, bloody. After the diagnosis is confirmed, the vagina is washed, treated with a solution of potassium permanganate and lubricated with ichthyol ointment. You can insert tampons soaked in ichthyol. In the complex, a course of antibiotics and vitamins is prescribed, which must be distributed along with the feed.
Endometritis is a serious inflammatory disease of the uterus in cows. The disease penetrates into different layers of the body, so there are several of its types. When only the uterine mucosa is affected, it is possible to state a simple endometritis. When muscle tissue is affected, they speak of myometritis. If the disease affects the peritoneum, then we are talking about perimetritis. And only as a last resort, when, in addition to the uterus, ligaments and adjacent tissues suffer, parametritis develops. At the same time, at different stages of the disease, uncharacteristic blood discharge is observed in a cow.
Purulent lochia that occurs after calving is a sign of purulent-catarrhal endometritis. In this case, the discharge has an unpleasant putrefactive odor. The disease develops within 8 days after calving. All this time, the animal is depressed, eats food poorly, the amount of milk decreases, and the body temperature rises slightly. Gradually, the picture becomes clearer, the discharge becomes more abundant instead of declining. Treatment of purulent inflammation of the uterus is prescribed by a veterinarian, injections of Oxytocin and Rifapol are often administered.
Dirty yellow bleeding with an unpleasant odor indicates fibrous endometritis. At the same time, the cow feels good after calving, but the excreted liquid has a yellow tint with flakes. If time does not take action, then sepsis may develop.
In case of severe calving, necrotic metritis develops. The inflammatory process affects the muscle tissue, which disrupts its nutrition. Cell necrosis occurs, erosions and ulcers appear. Microbes penetrate the bloodstream and cause inflammation in any organ of the animal. Outwardly, this condition is manifested by blood discharge with an admixture of crumbs. The cow is in a depressed state:
- body temperature is elevated;
- appetite is absent;
- rapid heartbeat;
- the uterus is painful.
Against the background of everything, severe diarrhea, mastitis can develop. If treatment is not started on time, paralysis may occur.
In advanced cases, metritis develops – a dangerous condition for the animal, leading to death in the first days. At the same time, the cow has strong bloody, almost black, discharge of a mushy consistency with pus and a musty smell. The uterus is compacted, painful to the touch, does not contract, filled with exudate.
Treatment of such a condition should be urgent. First of all, fluid is pumped out of the uterine cavity, after which the organ is washed with bactericidal solutions. The remaining liquid is sucked out with a vacuum. The uterine cavity is filled with antimicrobial drugs. Foaming products give good results. At the same time, antibiotics are started.
How to avoid unpleasant discharge after calving: prevention
To prevent the development of complications after calving, it is necessary to regularly examine pregnant cows, monitor their nutrition and prepare them for childbirth.
After calving, a thorough examination for infections is recommended so as not to miss the onset of endometritis or vaginitis. Vitamin complexes that are pierced immediately before childbirth will help reduce the risk of pus in the uterine cavity. They stimulate the immune system and increase the body’s resistance.
Conclusion
Blood discharge after calving in a cow can be a variant of the norm, if their intensity gradually decreases. Otherwise, they indicate the onset of inflammation. Treatment of the animal must begin immediately.