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Subinvolution of the uterus in cows is a common phenomenon that is 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 causes of subinvolution of the uterus are most often its overstretching during multiple pregnancy or a large fetus, however, the conditions in which animals are kept are also of no small importance in the development of pathology.
What is uterine subinvolution in cows
The involution of the uterus in cows is a slowdown in the processes of restoration of the organ to the state in which it was before the onset of pregnancy. 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;
- slowing down the recovery of the ligamentous apparatus.
All this leads to the fact that in the uterine cavity during subinvolution, a large amount of lochia begins to accumulate – 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 penetrate 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 severe 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 subinvolution of the uterus in cows
The case 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, bard, pulp);
- lack of vitamins;
- sufficient, but extremely monotonous diet;
- mechanical overstretching of the uterine cavity by a large fetus or multiple pregnancy;
- dropsy of the embryo and fetal membranes;
- delay in the release of the placenta;
- difficult childbirth and lack of timely assistance at the hotel;
- general weakness 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 childbirth, 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 subinvolution of the uterus
The first symptoms of subinvolution of the uterus include the following changes in the physiology and behavior of animals:
- the cow behaves sluggishly, apathetically;
- markedly reduced appetite;
- weight loss occurs;
- milk production drops significantly;
- the absence of discharge from the birth canal within a week of childbirth, after which watery brown lochia stand out in large quantities;
- the cervical canal remains slightly ajar (1-2 fingers pass freely into it).
The subinvolution of the uterus in cows is diagnosed through vaginal and rectal examination. Signs of pathology are severe swelling of the mucous membranes of the vagina and hyperemia of the birth canal. Even two weeks after childbirth, the uterine cavity is markedly enlarged in size compared to its state before pregnancy and is located at the bottom of the abdominal cavity. With physical contact through the rectum, the sagging of the uterus is clearly felt, there is no contraction reaction to the massage. Sometimes you can feel caruncles through the wall of the uterine cavity.
Treatment of uterine atony in cows
It is not worth delaying the treatment of uterine subinvolution in cows – delay can lead to the pathology becoming chronic. Animals are treated in a complex way, using both stimulating and symptomatic agents:
- Sick cows are injected intravenously or intra-aortically with “Oxytocin” or “Nitutrin” (10 IU for every 100 kg of weight with an interval of 3-4 days).
- Subcutaneously injected “Pituitrin” (4-6 IU per 100 kg of weight).
- Well proven in the treatment of uterine atony solution “Methylergobrevin” (0,1-0,2 mg).
- Positive results are observed after injections of “Mammophizin” (13-15 units for every 100 kg of weight).
- With 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, Kamagsol-G injections (200 ml) can be carried out. If necessary, this period is extended.
- A 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 application is sufficient, however, it is permissible to re-inject a week later if the first did not give the desired result.
- In the second week after childbirth, heated “Sapropel” is used intravaginally, which should activate the contractile functions of the uterus in the cow and speed up the process of removing lochia.
It should be noted that atony of the uterine cavity in cows greatly reduces the sensitivity of muscles 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 a 2% solution of “Sinestrol” at a dosage of 2-3 ml a day before the administration of the drug.
If a large amount of secretions accumulate in the uterine cavity, and the use of drugs does not cause noticeable improvements, it is necessary to clean its contents mechanically. To do this, lochia is pumped out using a special vacuum pump.
It is especially important to pay attention to the nature of bleeding. If they have a distinct smell of decomposition, this means that the process of intoxication has begun. In this case, it is necessary to additionally wash the uterus of the cow with a disinfectant solution. As such means, 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 generally 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 – cows quickly recover from the disease and do not experience problems with calving in the future.
On the other hand, if the disease is neglected, various complications may arise. Most often, cows after subinvolution of the uterus develop endometritis, which, in turn, entails infertility.
Prevention of subinvolution of the uterus in cows
Prevention of the disease involves a set of the following measures:
- regular walking;
- a varied, nutritious diet with vitamin supplements;
- timely assistance in difficult childbirth;
- intra-aortic injection of 1% solution of novocaine;
- injections of vitamins A, B, D, E during the cold season, when the animals are in stalls;
- drinking colostrum after childbirth;
- dispensing warm salted water;
- postpartum massage of the uterine cavity through the rectum;
- subcutaneous injection of “Oxytocin” or “Pituitrin” (30-40 IU);
- intravenous injections of 20% glucose solution (200 ml).
Separately, it is worth noting subcutaneous injections of colostrum in sick animals – this is a very effective method for preventing uterine subinvolution in cattle. Colostrum is taken from the cow shortly after calving and 30 ml of the substance is administered daily for the next few 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 stretching of the organ after pregnancy, however, its insufficient tone is affected primarily by a monotonous diet, excessive feeding of succulent feed and lack of movement. Thus, the observance of simple preventive measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing a disease in animals. In addition, a variety of stimulant drugs can be administered to cows for several weeks after calving to help them recover faster.
If you do not pay due 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.
You can learn more about how to treat postpartum inflammation in the uterine cavity in cattle from the video below:
