Uterine Diseases

Question 1

Uterine Infection occurs at what time in horses, dairy cattle and sheep?

Answer 1

Horses: At or just after breeding

Dairy Cattle: Postpartum

Sheep: During pregnancy

Question 2

How long does it usually take for the fairy cow uterus to completely involute and return to its normal size?

Answer 2

3-4 weeks

Question 3

Is discharge coming from the vulva always pathological in the dairy cow?

Answer 3

No
Day 2-3 postpartum: there will be a normal large volume of red-brown coloured discharge
This will decrease by day 8 and should be absent by day 21 postpartum

Question 4

What are the potential causes for a pathological discharge coming from the uterus of a dairy cow?

Answer 4

• Puerperal metritis
• Clinical Metritis
• Endometritis
• Subclinical endometritis
• Pyometra

Question 5

Define Puerperal metritis

Answer 5

The animal has an abnormally enlarged uterus and fetid watery red-brown uterine discharge, associated with signs of systemic illness and fever (39.5+), within 21 days after parturition

Question 6

Define Clinical Metritis

Answer 6

The animal is not systemically ill, but has an abnormally enlarged uterus and purulent discharge detectable in the vagina, within 21 days after calving

Question 7

Define Endometritis

Answer 7

The animal has purulent (50%+ pus) uterine discharge detectable in the vagina 21 days or more after parturition, or mucopurulent (50:50 mucus and pus) discharge detectable in the vagina after 26 days

Question 8

Define Subclinical endometritis

Answer 8

The animal has 18%+ neutrophils in a uterine cytology sample collected 21-33 days after calving, or 10%+ neutrophils at 34-47 days

Question 9

Define Pyometra

Answer 9

The animal has an accumulation of purulent material within the uterine lumen in the presence of a persistent corpus luteum and a closed cervix

Question 10

What are the risk factors associated with uterine infections in dairy cattle?

Answer 10

Physical Risk Factors:

• Dystocia
• Twinning
• Vulval angle
• Abortion/ dead calf
• Calving assistance
• Retained Fetal Membranes
• –> Usually lead to clinical endometritis = purulent vaginal discharge

Metabolic Risk Factors:

• Reduced Feed Intake
• Milk Fever
• Hyperketonemia
• Low or High BCS
• NEB
• –> Usually lead to a cytological endometritis = uterine inflammation (predominantly neutrophils)

Question 11

How can a uterine infection be diagnosed?

Answer 11

• Take a sample of discharge from the uterus itself and examine it under the microscope
  The discharge can be rated from 0-3
• Take a cytological sample from the uterine lining

Question 12

What bacteria are MOST commonly associated with a uterine infection in dairy cattle?

Answer 12

• Trueperella pyogenes

- E.coli: likes to predispose the uterus to other bacterial infections, likely due to the endotoxins released

Question 13

Dairy cattle that have high numbers of uterine pathogens usually have ________

Answer 13

Smaller ovarian follicles, which produce less estradiol and thus estrus is less likely to be detected
note: estrus is controlled by estradiol

With smaller ovarian follicles, this will mean a smaller progesterone concentration and less ‘priming’ of the uterus occurs

Question 14

What are the disadvantages to the farmer of a cow with a uterine disease?

Answer 14

• Takes longer for her to conceive
• Reduced conception rate
• More serves per conception
• More culls
• Economic losses ~292/cow/case

Question 15

What is the treatment protocol for a uterine infection in a dairy cow?

Answer 15

• NSAIDs
• Fluids
• Antibiotics
• Prostaglandins: stimulate uterine contractility and expulsion of discharge