Risk Factors and Impacts of Retained Placenta and Metritis in Dairy Cows

Authors

  • J. Dubuc Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
  • T. F. Duffield Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
  • K. E. Leslie Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
  • J. S. Walton Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
  • S. J. LeBlanc Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20104156

Keywords:

retained placenta, Metritis, vaginal discharge, bacterial contamination, dystocia, risk factors, postpartum dairy cows

Abstract

Retained placenta (RP) is a condition associated with aspects of immune function during the prepartum period. Retained placenta has been shown to be a risk factor for uterine diseases and for reduced reproductive performance. Metritis is a condition causing systemic signs of illness (fever, anorexia, decreased milk production) characterized by a foul-smelling, brown-red watery vaginal discharge, occurring within the first 20 days-in-milk (DIM). Metritis has been associated with risk factors thought to contribute to greater uterine bacterial contamination, such as dystocia and RP. Conflicting data are reported on the impacts of RP and metritis on milk production, reproduction, and culling. In particular, many studies have considered RP and metritis in isolation, and have used only short-term outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors and impacts of RP and metritis in postpartum dairy cows.

Cover image of the 43rd Conference Proceedings: Two short-horned cattle grazing in a field, surrounded by a flock of egrets. Yellow background.

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Published

2010-08-19

Issue

2010

Section

Research Summaries 4

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