Gynaecology and Obstetrics Section

TREATMENT

• Owners should be instructed to keep the animal quiet and the prolapse mass clean and moist.
• It is best for the cow to stand during replacement of the prolapsed uterus The recumbent cow that will not rise is placed on her chest and her hind legs are pulled out behind her. This tilts the pelvis which is helpful in replacement . positioning the animal so that she is facing downhill can offer considerable mechanical advantage.
• The placenta should be removed gently usually the oedematous placentomes allow easy separation of cotyledons from caruncles.
• Following removal of the placenta the uterine surface should be cleansed with dilute antiseptic solution.
• The prolapsed organ should be elevated to the level of the ischium; this enables easier reduction and helps relieve vascular compromise. Elevation can be achieved by having one or two assistants suspend the organ in a sheet or towel, or by having an assistant sitting on the cow’s sacral region, facing backwards holding the organ upwards .
• Replacement begins at the cervical pole of the organ(closest to the vulva). The organ is gently pushedback into position, taking care not to traumatise the friable endometrium or uterine wall.
• After the prolapsed uterus has been replaced,vulval tape retention sutures are applied on to the vulva.
• The uterus is infused with 8 to 10 liters of fluid to ensure complete redeployment of the tips of the uterine horns. Plain water may be used, after which 40 IU of oxytocin i/m, 300 ml of calcium borogluconate intravenously and systemic antibiotics are administered.