Vol. 44, No. 1, 2000
DIFFICULT PARTURITION HAS NO EFFECT ON UTERINE INVOLUTION IN DAIRY COWS
Hajurka, J., Macák, V., Valocký, I., Novotný, F.
University of Veterinary Medicine
Komenskeho 73
041 81 Kosice
Slovak Republic
Summary
Two hundred and seventy-eight dairy cows (58 heifers) of Slovak spotted and Lowland black-spotted breeds and their crossbreds, coming from two herds, were included in the investigation which focused on the relationship between parturition and uterine involution. The animals were divided into four groups according to the course of parturition. The easy-calving animals included non-assisted delivery (type 1) and easy-assisted delivery (type 2). The difficult calving types consisted of more difficult assisted delivery (type 3) and assisted irregular delivery (type 4). Cows were also divided according to the course of puerperium, either uncomplicated or complicated. The course of uterine involution was evaluated by rectal palpation at two- to three-day intervals.
Difficult parturition (types 3 and 4) in heifers and cows, followed by uncomplicated and complicated puerperium, had no effect on uterine involution. Puerperal complications involving retained placenta and acute puerperal endometritis or metritis delayed the uterine involution by 8.2 to 13.3 days (P < 0.01) in both heifers and cows.
Key words: dairy heifers; dairy cows; difficult calving; uterine involution
References
Folia Veterinaria / 2000