Postpartum Period

Question 1

Uterine Involution

Answer 1

10-14 days = outline
25-30 days = grossly normal
45 days = endometrium repaired

Question 2

Is it recommended to rebred a cow before 45 days postpartum? Why?

Answer 2

No

The endometrium is not repaired yet.
May get pregnant, but will often lose the pregnancy 25-30 days in.

Question 3

Recurrence of Cycles

Answer 3

14-17 days pp = 1st ovulation

35-38 days pp = 1st estrus

Question 4

Should a cow be breed at the 1st estrus pp?

Answer 4

No.

Note that the estrus occured, but wait for the next estrus (approximately 18-24 days later)

Question 5

In a 12 month calving internal, how days days remain pp and pp recovery to rebred the cow?

How many cycles can be in that time?

Answer 5

38 days

two cycles

Question 6

How many days are in a normal bovine gestation?

Answer 6

282 days

approx. 9 months

Question 7

Abnormal Postpartum Occurences

Answer 7

• retained placenta
• uterine infection
• anestrum
• ovarian cysts
• repeat breeders

Question 8

Explusion of placenta

Answer 8

• normally within 3-8 hours
• retained if greater than 12 hours pp
• problem if greater than 10% incidence in herd

Question 9

Treatment of Retained Placenta

Answer 9

• be conservative in approach = Is cow normal otherwise? Milking? No fever? Eating normal?
• After 72 hours pp, examine cow.
• Remove, if can be done easily
• place uterine boluses
• do NOT clean = pulling out placenta and disconnecting placetomes
• If placenta is not easily removed after 72 hrs, give it another 72 hrs. Often will pass on own by then.