VCP 511: Gynaecology and Obstetrics Section

UTERINE INFECTIONS

Following calving, the uterus of over 90 % of dairy cows becomes contaminated with bacteria. Some of these bacteria are harmful and others are not.

Endometritis

• Infections causing only mild changes in the superficial layers of uterus, it is termed endometritis.

Clinical signs

• There may be a mucous discharge ranging from watery, cloudy to pus mixed.

Treatment

• Strepto Penicillin is a sound choice for systemic treatment in the puerperal period because it is effective against the organisms likely to invade the endometrium from uterine lumen. Minimum daily dose - 5gms i/m.
• Ciprofloxacin 60ml intrauterine
• Prostaglandin F 2 alpha -Natural 25mg/im, Synthetic -0.5mg/im

• Intrauterine infusions with 60ml of 5% povidone iodine 

Metritis

• Infections that involve all the tissue layers of the uterus develop and this condition is called metritis. It often involves the accumulation of fluid within the uterus and suppression of the estrous cycle.

Clinical signs

• A stinky, blood-coloured, purulent ,watery discharge that develops during the first 2-3 weeks after calving.

Treatment

Puerperal period - Non systemic puerperal metritis

• Oxytetracycline in a non-irritating base is the antibiotic of choice for infusion into the uterus.
• Oxytetracyline 2-5 gms should be infused carefully into the uterus daily for a minimum of 3 days and for 1-2 days beyond the time when the discharge loses its fetid odour.
• In addition to intrauterine infusion of oxytetracycline as above, systemic treatment is also necessary. Procaine penicillin G 9000 IU/Kg body weight (I/M) is the drug of choice for parenteral administration.