Endometritis treatment in cattle

 

We are social beings and we all are connected to each other for food and everything, it is a nature’s rule to be interdependent can be as termed symbiosis- to live in union. We give each other love and care to survive. The cows and buffaloes milk we use in everyday use and an important part of our lives. The milk received from them we process into products like cheese, paneer, ghee, etc. all of this is possible because of our close connection and co-relation with cows and buffaloes. It is a give and take relation, we provide them with food, shelter, care, and medicine as required and they provide milk and other things required for us and the farm.

HORMONES

Hormones are chemicals substances that act like messenger molecules in the body that all living beings have, and they play an essential role in regulating various processes in our bodies. Hormones are integral in so many of your body systems, and they regulate a lot of what your body does. They travel to the parts of the body, where they help control how cells and organs do their work.

 

Hormonal roles in our body:

1.  Hormones regulate the growth of the body via growth hormones.

2.  They aid in sexual functions, right from conception to parturition [birth giving] also, they aid in lactation

3.  Regulating metabolism via thyroid hormones, etc.

4.  They also aid in various body systems such as the digestive system, the immune system, the urinary system, the cardiovascular system, and the respiratory and skeletal systems.

 

Hormones help our bodies to function normally, properly in perfect union with other hormones. These hormones or chemical messengers play an extremely crucial role in uterine problems and their solutions.

The common uterine problems-

Uterine Problems: Unexpected Challenge

The uterus is a magical organ that is present in the female reproductive tract. It is the female reproductive organ that receives the fertilized egg and supports its development during pregnancy. The main function of the uterus is to protect, grow and nourish the developing foetus prior to birth. There are many challenges a farmer could face while rearing livestock for milk and milk products. Major ones include retention of placenta post-birth, habitual abortion, delivery complications, retention of placenta, metritis, pyometra, etc.

1. Retention of Placenta

The natural birthing process involves the delivery of the foetus and expulsion of the placenta a temporary organ and other connections, foetal membranes from the uterus. This structure provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing foetus and removes waste products from the foetal blood. The placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus and is generally expelled out of the body post-birth. The placental expulsion takes place within 3-8 hours after delivery of the calf.

2. Abortions

The termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or foetus is abortion. It could be because of several reasons like- various bacterial infections such as brucellosis, listeriosis, leptospirosis or viral infections such as bovine viral diarrhea virus, bluetongue virus, toxins, dietary deficiency of Vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium, and iron.

3. Uterine Infections: Pyometra, Metritis, Etc.

Pyometra is a chronic inflammatory condition of the uterus wherein the uterus is filled with pus. Pyometra is a secondary infection that occurs as a result of hormonal changes in the female’s reproductive tract. There are two types of pyometra:

·      OPEN PYOMETRA: pus will drain from the uterus through the vagina to the outside. Pus or an abnormal discharge is often seen on the skin or hair under the tail or on bedding

·      CLOSED PYOMETRA: If the cervix is closed, pus that forms is not able to drain to the outside. The bacteria release toxins that are absorbed into the blood stream.

The metritis is the inflammation of the uterus, which again could be related to bacterial-viral etiologies, abortion, or retained placenta.

 

Diagnosis:

The reasons for conception failure, lower milk yield, frequent abortions could be any, and hence these conditions must be diagnosed at the earliest. The diagnosis depends upon multiple factors. The following three steps are essential to diagnose efficiently:

1. History Taking

Your veterinarian may ask clinically questions and try to filter out the relevant History.

SYMPTOMS

·         Permanent or intermittent purulent discharge is observed by the farmer/owner

·         Cyclic estrous activity may/may not be present

·         Anorexia

·         Decrease of milk production

·         Dullness/listlessness seen

HISTORY:

·         About the age of the animal

·         The date of insemination must be noted

·         Cyclicity date/frequency to be noted

2. Pre-Rectal Exam

Your vet might be able to diagnose the Cyclicity, pregnancy stage, etc., cervix, corpus luteum persistence, uterine wall thickness, etc., may be palpated and noted. In fact, even early-midterm pregnancy can be diagnosed.

3. Endometritis Treatment in Cattle

Treatment:  

The treatment approaches must be aimed at treating the root cause rather than treating symptoms. The suggested remedies such as-

1. Dietary Fix  

Diet is important in modulating immunity and health even the small changes help. Better-fed cows have higher fertility and improved conception rate. A good amount of carbohydrates, fats, essential fatty acids, essential minerals like iron, vitamins, etc. plays a pivotal role in reproductive health.

Hormonal Therapy

Hormone injections of implants or ear tags could be used to keep in check the balance and Cyclicity of the patient. It’s important to note that hormonal therapy must be initiated or stopped, or regulated under the guidance of a veterinary doctor as these hormones affect the reproductive health as well as various body systems and thus affecting milking, milk yield, and overall health of the cow/buffalo.

1.  Non-Hormonal Therapy:

The homeopathic medicine- Uterogen is the therapy that can be used. The success of pregnancy facilitated by easy parturition depends on the hormonal balance and their regular release. The entire period between conception and delivery is physiologically balanced by the hormones. The possibility of any type of complication or inconvenience during parturition (delivery) should be minimum and the tonicity of the uterus should be maintained. Uterogen regulates and balances the Progesterone levels to make the pregnancy safe. Nearing the delivery, it excites the complete process of parturition by reducing the Progesterone levels and increasing the Oxytocin levels with the help of the Pituitary gland, which stimulates and produces the Oxytocin hormone.

Other conditions for which this remedy can be used are:

·         Safe delivery.

·         Maintains the hormonal tonicity of the uterus resulting in the release of hormones sequentially as required.

·         Helpful in expelling the placenta, decreasing the possibility of metritis or pyometra, and cure the complications of delivery and avoid infections.