Retained placentas cause health problems in cattle every spring.
The resulting uterine infection and subsequent infertility can have a large economic impact.
A placenta is considered retained if not expelled after 24 hours.
Infections that aren’t cleared up will cause cows to either conceive later or become infertile. Both result in less money to the producer in subsequent years.
Retained placentas are worth paying attention to, even though beef cows seldom appear sick. Producers need to prevent placental retention as much as possible and when it does occur, have a definite treatment protocol.
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Nutritionally, several key components have been identified.
Adequate vitamin A levels (20,000-30,000 international units per cow per day), selenium (three to five milligrams per cow per day, vitamin E (300-500 I.U. daily) and adequate calcium and phosphorus balances have all been shown to improve dropping of fetal membranes.
Keep cows in adequate shape, around a condition score of 2.5 to 3.5 at calving.
Cows that are too fat and especially too thin have a greater incidence of retained placentas.
When calculating selenium consumption, it is best to assume nothing is added from the feed since most of Western Canada is deficient in this mineral.
Difficult calvings will increase retained placentas, so select bulls carefully.
If producers need to intervene in calving, clean the vulvar area thoroughly and always use obstetrical gloves. The gloves protect the producer, but more importantly prevent contamination of the uterus with undesirable bacteria.
Twins, abortions or both have a much higher incidence of placental retention.
Even though nutrition can be adequate, twins often have a week to 10-day earlier gestation. This immaturity often does not allow release of the placenta. Cows producing twins have a far greater risk of being open in the fall.
Follow the protocol for treating retained placentas on cows that twin.
Some herds, especially exotics, can have eight percent twinning rates and cows that twin once are likely to
repeat. If a cow has aborted but is to be shipped for slaughter, treatment is not critical unless it becomes sick. Cows should have shed their membranes and have calved at least 10 days before slaughter.
If abortions are greater than two to three percent, a veterinarian should try to determine the cause.
Treating retained placentas consists of a combination of hormonal therapy, antibiotic therapy or both. Under no circumstances should the farmer manually remove the placentas. Numerous studies have proven this is more harmful and increases greatly the number of days to conception.
Years ago this was a big part of a veterinarian’s job, but none will advocate doing it now. Uterine infection can result and make a cow sick and febrile.
The uterine discharge is often watery and foul smelling, and a veterinarian may advise flushing the uterus with lots of water and disinfectant.
Systemic antibiotics are also administered. Penicillin or tetracyclines are commonly prescribed.
Hormonal therapy involves a two-stage approach. For cows with twins, hard calvings, malpresentations or a history of retention, oxytocin (one to two cc) can be administered several times every 30 minutes within three hours of calving.
After 24 hours, the estrogenic hormone ECP is given (four cc). It is not available commercially, but some clinics can get it manufactured at approved pharmacies. It is given only once and helps keep the cervix open so that membranes aren’t trapped within the uterus.
Antibiotics are often detrimental because they keep the uterus too healthy and the placental membranes remain longer.
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone is beneficial when given 14 days post-partum to cows that retained placenta or had difficulty calving. At a dosage of 100 µg, this drug will achieve an earlier first ovulation. Cycling is a cleansing process so the quicker cows get cycling, the healthier the uterus becomes.
One study of dairy cattle where this hormone was given to all cows resulted in a 45-day reduction in days open, providing a huge economic impact.
Cows seen straining or having discharge on their tails may have developed chronic endometritis. They need to be palpated by a veterinarian.
The vet may infuse the animal and administer a prostaglandin to evacuate the uterus of debris. Prostaglandins, especially if administered 21 days postpartum, are as effective as antibiotics in treating uterine infection.
By being extra diligent with retained placentas, open and late pregnancy rates should improve remarkably. All these hormones are prescription drugs and must be bought under the guidance of a veterinarian.
Fine-tune a program that best suits your management operation.
Roy Lewis is a veterinarian practising in Westlock, Alta.
