CASE REPORT: A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY FOR TREATMENT OF RETAINED FETAL MEMBRANES COMBINED WITH PUERPERAL METRITIS IN A DAIRY COW

Abstract

A Holstein dairy cow on a farm located in central Taiwan gave birth after 281 days of gestation; however fetal membranes were not expelled until 12[Formula: see text]h post-parturition. Preventive antibiotics of ceftiofur (750[Formula: see text]mg) combined with flunixin (750[Formula: see text]mg) were administered intramuscularly for three consecutive days. On day 11 postpartum, expulsion of partial fetal membranes and reddish-brown vaginal discharge with an offensive odor were reported. Intrauterine lavage using 800[Formula: see text]ml of sterile saline and 500[Formula: see text]ml of 0.2% chlorhexidine solution was performed, followed by intrauterine infusion with 300[Formula: see text]ml of 0.5% povidone iodine. On day 21 postpartum, a vaginal discharge score (VDS) of 3 was graded by Metricheck[Formula: see text] and uterine cytology revealed 76.1% polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), all of which suggested endometritis. An additional intrauterine infusion of 0.5% povidone iodine was subsequently prescribed, followed by two low doses of PGF[Formula: see text] to control uterine infection. On day 49 postpartum, a VDS of 0 with a proportion of 3.8% PMNs was revealed, indicating available criteria for breeding. Estrus induction and timed artificial insemination were scheduled and pregnancy was confirmed 33 days after artificial insemination. In summary, we have demonstrated a successful two-step treatment for a Holstein having retained fetal membranes (RFMs) combined with puerperal metritis (PM) to have a favorable result of 65 days open.