Bovine Postpartum Period Flashcards
What period of time plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of early postpartum disorders? What causes this?
transition period - 4 weeks before to 3 weeks after parturition
negative energy balance is common during this period due to decreased dry matter intake and increased demand for milk production
What are the 4 divisions of cows monitored during their transition period?
- far-off dry = 60 to 21 days from calving
- close-up dry = 20 to 3 days from calving
- maternity = about to undergo calving
- fresh = 3 to 14 days after calving
(sick pen = variable days after calving)
When should cows be observed for the development of postpartum disorderd? What are 3 signs?
fresh cows 3-14 days after calving
- reduced milk production
- reduced reproductive efficiency
- increased mortality
(increased culling and expenses for treatment)
What is the optimal BCS at calving for beef and dairy cattle? What happens when BCS is low?
BEEF - 5-6/9
DAIRY - 2.5-3/5
increased interval between cycles
In what 4 ways can optimal BCS be maintained during calving?
- stimulate dry matter intake
- adapt to a high-energy diet
- cation-anion balance
- vitamin E/selenium supplementation
What are the 4 major parts of the transition cow management checklist?
- Are body condition scores evaluated?
- Is there enough feed bunk space for pre-partum cows (0.6 m per cow)?
- Are urine pHs evaluated to ascertain compliance of appropriate anionic diet feeding
- are pre- and post-partum energy statuses evaluated in selected groups to determine the prevalence of subclinical ketosis?
What type of diet is commonly given to pre-partum cows? Why?
acidogenic prepartum diet with a negative dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD)
stimulates calcium mobilization before calving and minimizes hypocalcemia postpartum
What is the difference in outcomes of 60 day dry periods and no dry periods?
60 DAY DRY - produce more milk, increased negative energy imbalance
NO DRY - decreased milk yield, decreased energy imbalance
What triggers parturition in cows?
fetal cortisol spike due to fetal stress caused by uterine crowding
- induces the production of estrogen responsible for myometrial contractions and lubrication of the reproductive tract
- induces the production of PGF2α responsible for luteolysis and pelvic ligament stretching
What 4 postpartum events must happen after calving?
- passage of fetal membranes
- involution of reproductive tract
- resumption of estrous cycles
- return to breeding
What calving interval allows for maximal profitability? How long will cows remain open?
12-13 months
< 85 days (out of 280 days of gestation) - 60 days of voluntary withdrawal + 21 days of the estrous cycle
What are some common postpartum disorders?
- retained fetal membrane
- dystocia
- metritis
- abortion
- ketosis
- hypocalcemis
- displaces abomasum
- endometritis
- uterine prolapse
commonly happen together, relates to metabolic status
What is uterine prolapse? What is thought to be associated with etiology?
emergency eversion of the uterus within 12 hours of calving
uterine inertia +/- hypocalcemia
How is uterine prolapse treated? Is a vulvar suture necessary? Can oxytocin be used?
- treat hypocalcemia
- give epidural anesthesia
- disinfect the uterus with mild soap and water
- replace the uterus (elevation to use gravity)
NO - not associated with vulvar laxity
AFTER replacement of the uterus, increased smooth muscle contraction can shrink the uterus in place
How does uterine prolapse compare to vaginal?
UTERINE = 12 hours after calving, not likely to happen again (good prognosis, salvage not commonly necessary if caught early)
VAGINAL = before parturition, commonly recurrent and sends cows to slaughter