Prevention and treatment of postpartum diseases in cows. Postpartum complications Diseases of cows after birth

Every animal grows, matures and produces offspring. Any of the changes carries risks for the life and health of the pet. Dangerous period in the life of a large cattle- This is the bearing and birth of offspring. It is associated with risks and complications that can even lead to the death of the cow.

What is paresis in cows

Common causes of cow death after calving are paresis, mastitis and leukemia. Diseases are a complication of childbirth in a cow, but paresis stands out among them, due to the speed of development and transience. If the owner hesitates, he can easily lose his nurse.

Scientists have not yet been able to establish the causes of paresis in cows, but they have identified the mechanism of development of the disease and factors contributing to the development.

Paresis is paralysis of an animal's muscles. It is associated with overvoltage of the central nervous system cows in the process of giving birth. The metabolism of the cattle body changes in favor of the growing fetus, and a lack of essential microelements (calcium and phosphorus) occurs. During labor, a lot of energy is expended to expel the calf, causing hypoglycemia. These processes together disrupt the body’s hormonal levels and cause paralysis of muscle tissue.

In addition, veterinarians note that the disease often occurs in animals exposed to risks:

• stall cows in winter,
• purebred cows,
• the predominance of concentrated feed in animal nutrition,
• first birth at the peak of lactation activity in cattle - 5-8 years,
• 1-3 days after calving – high risk development of the disease,
• Availability concomitant diseases the cow has a cold.

Symptoms and signs of paresis

Maternity paresis in a cow develops rapidly, so at the first signs you need to consult a doctor. In the first 12 hours after calving, about 80% of animals are susceptible to complications; in the first 3 days, about 30%. That is, in the first hours after birth, signs of paresis may appear in most cases, and over time, the incidence of the disease decreases. But this does not mean that signs of the disease cannot appear after 2-3 weeks, so carefully monitor the cattle so as not to miss the onset of labor paresis in the cow.

Immediately after calving the animal arterial pressure should fall and recover in 10-12 hours. If this does not happen, then this should be the first signal about the risk of developing the disease.

• Appetite suddenly disappears. The cow stops chewing the cud.
• The cow's colostrum (milk) disappears.
• Active trembling of the limbs begins, muscle weakness appears. The animal stands unsteadily on its feet, and then lies down, laying its head on its chest. Attempts to stand up are not successful, and the neck bends in an S-shape.

• Body temperature drops to 36-35 degrees. First the limbs get cold, and then the whole body.
• The sensitivity of the cow's skin sharply decreases. When tingled with a sharp object along the spine, the animal does not react.
• The pupils dilate, the cornea becomes cloudy, the eyes are half-closed.
• Breathing becomes wheezing and harsh.
• The animal stops peristalsis. There is no urination or defecation.
• In severe cases, the tongue falls out. May be present profuse salivation.

Paresis in a cow is a rapid disease, so the first thing to do is to inform the veterinarian about the suspicion of the disease so that he can act immediately. Quick and competent manipulations by a specialist will reduce the risk of death of the animal to 5%.

Treatment of paresis in cows involves influencing the baroceptors of the udder, or rather, blowing air into it. To do this, the animal is placed in a dorsal-lateral position and, using sterile catheters, air is forced into all openings of the udder.

The severe condition of postpartum paresis in cows can be relieved using intravenous administration a solution of calcium chloride and glucose to restore the lack of trace elements and sugars in the body, as well as caffeine to raise blood pressure. If the doctor provided proper assistance in a timely manner, then within 12-15 hours the animal will be able to get back on its feet and recover in 2-3 days.

You can help the cow with a warm rubdown or a hot enema. It is also recommended to inject formalin into the scar to consolidate the result and reduce the risk of complications in the form of tissue inflammation.

The treatment procedure using the Schmidt method (injecting air into the udder) requires skill, experience and equipment. It is difficult to perform the operation on your own without preparation. But folk remedies, or rather, alternative techniques will help with paresis in a calving cow. Such methods include the introduction of fresh milk from a healthy cow into the udder of an animal.

When carrying out the procedure using sterile instruments, up to 2 liters of milk from a healthy cow are injected into each lobe of the udder, but the effect can only be expected if you notice signs of illness on early stages. The treatment is easier and faster; in 30-40 minutes the cow will be on its feet.

Prevention of paresis

Many cattle owners are interested in the question: how to prevent paresis in cows? The answer is simple: you need to take care of the animal during pregnancy and follow the rules:

• Maintain a balanced diet during pregnancy. Food should be rich in vitamins and minerals, varied and nutritious.
• Include dry food and mineral supplements in your diet.
• An excellent prevention of paresis in cows before calving will be routine fortification with vitamins B and D. This will avoid depletion of the body during gestation.

Follow the rules for launching an animal, namely:

1. 7 days before calving, introduce up to 500 grams of sugar diluted in water into the diet (depending on the weight of the animal).
2. 1-2 weeks before and 7 days after, exclude concentrated and succulent food from the cow’s diet.
3. Immediately after birth, give the animal water and salt.

Prevention maternity paresis should be correct content stable animals, regular exercise, keeping them in a warm, dry room without drafts to avoid hypothermia and complications during childbirth.

Good care for a pregnant cow, proper diet planning, and supervision by specialists will ensure an easy birth without complications for your cow. And properly organized reproduction is the key to future milk yield. Love and care for your helper and you will get all the care back.

There are a number of non-infectious diseases that you should pay attention to when breeding. These include postpartum paresis in a cow. Treatment is not very difficult and is not expensive. However, the disease brings considerable losses. Such a loss hits those farms where cow breeding is organized as a business the hardest. The death of even one head in a small farm significantly affects the profitability of production.

Postpartum paresis in cows

A severe, acute nervous disease, which is accompanied by partial paralysis of the tongue, pharynx, limbs, intestines, up to loss of consciousness, is called postpartum paresis in a cow. Treatment must begin immediately to prevent fatal outcome.

At-risk groups

The exact cause of the disease has not yet been established. It is known that it is provoked by an acute lack of calcium in the animal’s body against the background of a sharp drop in blood sugar. A calving cow directs all its forces to the formation of the fetus, including calcium. A diet that is not balanced in minerals can provoke maternity paresis in cows.

Mostly highly productive animals are at risk. In all likelihood, this is due to the fact that high milk yields require more calcium. Well-fed animals, for which concentrated feed is not spared, are also at risk.

The stall period and the age of 5-8 years, when the cow is at the peak of her productivity, colds are concomitant factors of the disease.

Signs of illness

As a rule, the development of the disease occurs in the first three days after a quick and easy calving. Although, as practice shows, in most cases giving birth to a cow requires human help and intervention. Less commonly observed is the development of paresis from several weeks to 1-2 months. The absolute exception is the manifestation of the disease in calving cows and during calving itself.

The first signs of the onset of the disease:

• lethargy of the animal;
• poor appetite;
• lack of chewing gum;
• noticeable shaking;
• there is no peristalsis of the rumen and intestines;
• pain sensitivity is practically absent.

If the condition deteriorates significantly, the cow cannot rise to her feet. The position in which the animal lies is also specific: the legs are tucked under the stomach and the head is turned to the side. The neck is arched in a characteristic S-shaped curvature. The legs and horns are cold to the touch, the eyes are half-closed and watery, the pupils are dilated. In severe cases general temperature body drops to 35 o -36 o.

The animal does not urinate or excrete feces. When the pharynx is paralyzed, the tongue falls out of the mouth and profuse salivation occurs. Some individuals are in an excited state for a short time and can sharply shake their head, throwing it back. They roll over, grind their teeth, hit the walls, and moo loudly. After short-term activity, the cow calms down and goes into a depressed state.

Treatment

Postpartum paresis in a cow should not be left to chance. Treatment started immediately reduces mortality from the disease by up to 4%. For comparison: if no measures are taken in the first hours, 70% of animals die.

Using a special Evers apparatus, air is blown into all four lobes of the udder through the nipples. To do this, they are pre-treated with a 70% ethanol solution. Before the procedure, the cow is milked in a dorsolateral position. Air is introduced using sterile mammary catheters. Injection is carried out until the folds of skin on the udder are straightened. Be sure to massage the udder for uniform distribution air.

To prevent air from escaping, the nipples are tied at the base with a bandage or strips of gauze. The animal is left in this position for 30-45 minutes. If after 8 hours there is no improvement, the procedure is repeated. After the cow gets up, after 1-2 hours she can be milked, without squeezing the air out of the udder.

Instead of air, you can introduce 200-500 ml of fresh milk into each lobe of the udder. It must come from a healthy cow.

To alleviate the animal’s condition, a 20% glucose solution up to 200 ml and a 10% calcium chloride solution up to 150 ml are administered intravenously. A 10% caffeine solution is injected subcutaneously. Active rubbing of the sides and limbs, wrapping the animal, and a hot enema (up to 45°C) are recommended.

Complications

With a rapid and severe course of the disease, the life of the animal may be threatened by tympany; this is one of the complications that causes postpartum paresis in the cow. Treatment comes down to piercing the scar with a thick needle or trocar, after which up to 400 ml of 5% is injected into the cavity alcohol solution ichthyol or up to 40 ml of 40% formaldehyde solution.

Under no circumstances should liquid medicine be administered through the mouth; due to partial paralysis of the pharynx, it may enter the trachea.

The measures taken will completely cure the animal in 2-3 days without any consequences for its health. Perhaps this will never happen again, or perhaps the cow will experience postpartum paresis every time after calving.

Prevention of postpartum paresis

To avoid illness, adhere to the following rules:

• do not allow overfeeding of cows in and during the waning stage of lactation;
• carefully monitor the balance of the diet in micro- and macroelements;
• the percentage of roughage and concentrated feed in the animal diet must be strictly observed;
• control the timely start of cows;
• provide the livestock with regular active exercise.

Farms for cows must be equipped with special birthing boxes where the animal is placed before calving. It is impossible for maternity ward there were drafts.

For highly productive cows that have previously suffered from postpartum paresis, the following preventive measures are provided: vitamin D 3 is administered intramuscularly twice, 7-10 days before calving, at a dose of 3-4 million units. Sugar is introduced into the diet, 200-300 grams per day for several days before and after calving.

Problems of postpartum cow care

About the importance postpartum period a lot has been written and said about cows - after all, the reproductive function, the amount of milk received, and the productive longevity of the animal in general depend on how it proceeds. And there are plenty of problems that can arise at this stage of a cow’s life! One of the most common is endometritis: in most households the percentage of acute postpartum endometritis exceeds 50%, and in highly productive animals reaches 70-90%.

There are many methods of treating postpartum diseases. As a rule, all treatment regimens include several groups of drugs:

· uterotonic agents to stimulate myometrial contractions;

· antibacterial drugs (parenteral and/or intrauterine) to eliminate pathogenic microflora;

· non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to suppress inflammation and reduce temperature.

Without a doubt, such treatment is effective, but it is worth mentioning the “pitfalls” in therapy gynecological diseases. When using antibacterial drugs, one must remember that sensitivity must be determined before starting treatment. In addition, local administration antibacterial drugs inhibits local immunity and can have an irritating effect on the endometrium. When using antibacterial drugs, there are a number of undesirable consequences: rejection of livestock products during treatment, the presence of a waiting period and provocation of dysbacteriosis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs suppress the production of endogenous prostaglandins and can also lead to a delay in the process of uterine involution. It should also be remembered that when elevated level progesterone or with hypocalcemia, the uterus is insensitive or weakly sensitive to oxytocin, so the introduction of this hormone does not bring the expected result.

Local veterinary specialists do not always have the ability to promptly carry out all diagnostic measures. As a result, the effectiveness of treatment decreases; therapy can continue for months, while one disease smoothly “flows” into another, and this is inevitably accompanied by a decrease in milk productivity and causes colossal economic damage to the dairy enterprise.

What is the solution? An old truth comes to the rescue: best treatment- this is prevention! Great benefits in the prevention of postpartum diseases - retention of placenta, acute postpartum endometritis, uterine subinvolution, etc. - bring preventive actions, which should begin during the animal’s pregnancy.

Of course, complete and balanced feeding of animals plays a colossal role in prevention, but a veterinarian is not always able to completely change the diet of the entire livestock. Inadequate feeding as an unfavorable factor is an additional argument in favor of the prevention of postpartum diseases, including those associated with metabolic disorders.

One of the most effective preventive programs was proposed by Helvet specialists. Veterinarians at a number of dairy complexes throughout Russia highly appreciated the special scheme using Helvet drugs for the prevention of diseases in cows after calving. And this is not surprising - Helvet Group of Companies has been developing, producing and successfully introducing effective and safe products into industrial livestock farming for 20 years. veterinary drugs. When developing a circuit Special attention was devoted to the main critical periods of the reproduction cycle: dry period, calving, early lactation.

The dry period is extremely important for preparing the cow for future lactation and producing healthy offspring. The main tasks during this period are to normalize metabolism and reduce the likelihood of developing postpartum diseases (retained placenta, endometritis, mastitis). Liarsin is the best choice for solving these problems. Liarsin is a complex drug that combines the properties of a metabolite and an adaptogen, while it helps improve rumen digestion. By using Liarsin twice before calving (20-14 and 10-7 days), you prevent the development of acidosis and ketosis, ensuring the normal course of calving and the postpartum period.

During the calving period, it is necessary to minimize the possibility of injury to the animal, because one of the main predisposing factors in the development of gynecological diseases are injuries and ruptures birth canal during calving. It should be noted that damage occurs not only during difficult and pathological childbirth, but also during the normal course of childbirth. birth process. Violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of opportunistic microflora, which entails the development of gynecological diseases.

Therefore, therapy during calving should be aimed at fast recovery barrier functions mucous membrane, stopping the inflammatory process and stimulating tissue regeneration.

Travmatin will help you cope with all these tasks (1 injection during calving or the first hours after calving). Travmatin combines anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, quickly relieves post-traumatic swelling and stimulates tissue regeneration. In case of severe calving, pathological childbirth, or obstetric care, Travmatin should be used twice with an interval of 12-24 hours.

The neonatal period is often associated with the development of postpartum gynecological diseases, such as retained placenta, endometritis, metritis, etc. The main work of the doctor during this period is to early prevention aimed at restoring the uterus after calving. The timing of insemination, productivity, and reproductive function of the animal depend on the success of the measures taken.

We recommend the use of the drug Uterogin to solve gynecological problems in the postpartum period. Uterogin is a unique drug that combines uterotonic and anti-inflammatory properties, helps restore the functions of the endometrium and myometrium.

By using Uterogin 2 hours after calving, you prevent retention of the placenta by increasing the contractile function of the uterus. Further administration of the drug should be continued according to the following schedule: Uterogin on the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th day (if necessary) after calving. The use of the drug prevents the development of endometritis, promotes the normal course of uterine involution processes and ensures complete regeneration of the mucous membrane.

The use of Uterogin not only for prevention, but also for the treatment of acute postpartum endometritis and metritis allows for high-quality restoration reproductive function cows For this purpose, Uterogin is used once a day, the duration of therapy is determined individually (the average course is 3-5 days). Unlike other uterotonic drugs, Uterogin acts for a long time (more than 12 hours). At the same time, a definite plus is minimizing the use of antibacterial agents.

The onset of lactation is closely related to energy deficiency, especially in highly productive cows. During this period it is very important to adjust possible violations metabolism, since the formation of milk leads to intensification metabolic processes, requiring increased amounts nutrients. Even proper and balanced feeding does not always meet the increased needs of the animal. Replenishment of energy deficiency occurs due to the breakdown of fat reserves. As a result of metabolism, in addition to energy, underoxidized metabolic products are formed in excess quantities, which can lead to the development of ketosis and acidosis.

By using Liarsin on the 3rd and 5th day after calving, you prevent metabolic disorders (ketosis, acidosis) and minimize the consequences of a negative energy balance. Unlike standard approaches to this problem, the use of Liarsin is effective and safe both for the cow itself and for the products obtained from it.

The Helvet scheme is unique and universal. At the dairy complex, specialists face two contradictory tasks: how to preserve the reproductive function of animals during high level milk productivity. The use of Helvet drugs for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the postpartum period makes it possible to successfully cope with them and preserve the reproductive potential of the herd. Separately, it should be noted that Helvet drugs do not have a waiting period, i.e. farms eliminate economic losses associated with milk rejection. The drugs can be used in any physiological period and for any age group.

Prevention according to the Helvet scheme has shown good results in practice: the use of the preventive program has reduced the incidence of postpartum endometritis by 49-72%, prevented the development of uterine subinvolution and accompanying pathologies ovaries (analysis of data from farms in the Moscow region).

Today, many large farms in the Moscow region are successfully operating under this scheme, including: OJSC Vokhrinka, CJSC PZ Ramenskoye, CJSC PZ Barybino, LLC Agroholding Avangard, CJSC PZ Ulyanino, OJSC Dubna+ , Agroholding "Russian Milk", State Unitary Enterprise "State Farm named after. Kirov", CJSC "Zelenogradskoe", CJSC "Agrofirm "Bunyatino".

Deposit. Cows, sheep, goats and pigs get sick when they are fed insufficiently and monotonously and kept in cramped rooms with a strongly sloping floor. The disease often occurs in old and emaciated queens, pregnant with several fetuses, as well as after a difficult birth, when the ligaments and bones of the pelvis are damaged, As a result, the animal is unable to rise several days or weeks before and after birth.
Helping an animal comes down to good feeding, maintenance and treatment of bedsores. They provide food rich in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts. The animals are placed on ample bedding, turned from side to side 2-3 times daily and rubbed with strands of straw. You can lift the animal by tying a rope along its body (Fig. 41). If there are bedsores, they are washed with disinfectant solutions and lubricated ichthyol ointment, boiled vegetable oil or Vaseline.

Premature attempts. In pregnant animals due to a blow to the stomach, a fall, eating poor-quality or frozen food and after drinking cold water Attempts may occur much earlier than the normal delivery date. The animal begins to worry, looks back, moves from foot to foot, and often excretes urine and feces. Sometimes partially amniotic membranes come out into the vagina and there may be a miscarriage (abortion) or fetal death.
If premature attempts occur, the animal is given complete rest, vodka diluted in half with water is given inside (cows and mares - 500-800 g, sheep, goats, pigs - 200-300 g), and the sacrum and lower back are wrapped warmly.
Abortion. Abortions can be of contagious or non-contagious origin and are accompanied by the premature expulsion of a non-viable or dead fetus from the uterus, when during abortion the dead fetus lingers in the uterus, liquefies (maceration), dries out and thickens, or putrefactive decomposition occurs.
Abortion at the beginning of pregnancy may be accompanied by absorption of the fetus or its release along with the amniotic membranes. With later abortions, the animals become restless, attempts appear, the cervix is ​​opened and a bloody-dark liquid is released from it, and then the fetus.
Non-contagious abortions are observed when feeding low-quality, frozen or poisonous food, drinking cold water, bruises, diseases of the stomach and intestines, uterus, ovaries, lungs, as well as as a result of erroneously carried out natural insemination of pregnant animals; sometimes as a result of the administration of potent drugs.
Edema in pregnant animals. In pregnant animals, due to increased porosity of the blood vessels, heart weakness or kidney disease, fluid accumulates in the subcutaneous tissue. In sick animals, 1-2 months before birth, large edema forms in the area of ​​the chest, lower abdominal column, and limbs.
Such animals are given less water, succulent food and table salt are reduced or excluded from the diet, massage is given, especially in the area of ​​edema, and the animal is systematically taken for a walk.
Vaginal prolapse. The disease is observed during the last period of pregnancy and after birth in cows, goats, sheep and rarely in other animals. It can occur as a result of weakening of the ligaments that support the uterus and vagina, difficult labor and removal of the fetus using excessive force, keeping animals on too sloping floors, lack of exercise, lesions spinal cord and other reasons.
Vaginal prolapse is detected in the form of a round swelling protruding from the vulva Pink colour when the animal is lying down. When the entire vagina prolapses, a spherical mass protrudes from the vulva with the cervix in the middle. Prolonged vaginal prolapse is accompanied by the formation of ulcers, cracks and tissue necrosis.
The prolapsed vagina must be put back in place and washed daily with disinfectant and astringent solutions (potassium permanganate diluted 1:5000, 2% Lysol solution, oak bark decoction, tannin). The animal is placed on a wooden platform with a forward slope so that the back of the body is higher than the front. To avoid repeated vaginal prolapse, the vulva is sutured or strengthened with a special loop (Fig. 42). The sutures and loop are removed before birth.
To protect animals from vaginal prolapse, they are kept on a floor with a low posterior slope and take daily walks; 10-15 days before birth, they are given less succulent food.

Vaginal rupture. The main causes of vaginal rupture are difficult childbirth, a large fetus, incorrect positioning of the fetal limbs, violent pushing, and rupture with instruments or by hand due to careless assistance during childbirth. When ruptured, wounds of varying sizes and depths form on the walls of the vagina.
For wounds of the vagina, cotton swabs soaked in a disinfectant solution are inserted into it, or carefully lubricated with ichthyol ointment. Do not wash the vagina with solutions if the vaginal wall is completely ruptured. Veterinary specialists provide assistance.
Uterine prolapse. The disease occurs immediately after expulsion of the fetus or in the first hours after birth, when the cervix has not yet contracted. The prolapsed uterus turns the mucous membrane outward and hangs in the form of a large pear-shaped red formation. In ruminants, caruncles are visible on its surface. Uterine prolapse occurs more often in cows, goats, sheep and less often in other animals when the fetus is quickly removed with great force or strong pushing continues after birth, and also if the animal long time stands on a strongly sloping floor and is not allowed to go for a walk.
First aid. The prolapsed uterus must be straightened as quickly as possible by carefully separating the pieces of the placenta and washing with a warm 2-3% solution of alum or a weak solution of potassium permanganate at a dilution of 1:10,000. When straightening, the washed uterus is supported on a clean towel or sheet, and the person providing assistance with clean hands grasps the part of the uterus near the vulva and pushes it inside. When only the top of the uterus remains outside, carefully pressing with a fist, push the uterus into the pelvic cavity and hold it in place for some time. You can adjust the uterus from the top of the horn, pressing with a fist wrapped in a towel. To weaken the animals, they are then given vodka, diluted half and half with water. To prevent recurrent uterine prolapse, sutures or a rope loop are placed on the vulva, and a shield or straw is placed under the back of the animal's body.
Retention of placenta. After birth, the placenta is separated immediately after the fetus or is delayed in cows, sheep, goats for 2-6 hours, and in mares and pigs for up to 1 hour. Sometimes it takes longer, especially in cows, goats and sheep due to the special structure of their placenta. Retention of the placenta mainly occurs in the absence of regular walks and lack of vitamins and mineral salts in the diet, weak pushing, difficult childbirth, early contraction of the cervix and fusion of the placenta with the uterine mucosa. The uncalved placenta hangs from the vagina. After 12-16 hours, its decomposition begins, which can cause inflammation of the uterus and poisoning of the entire body. In mares and pigs, retained placenta often leads to general blood poisoning (sepsis) and death of the animal.
Livestock breeders must monitor the timing of separation of the placenta and promptly provide assistance in maintaining it, as well as systematically provide walks for pregnant animals and provide them with nutritious feed.
Eating the afterbirth. After giving birth, some females swallow the afterbirth, as a result, their digestion is upset, milk production decreases, and pigs develop a tendency to eat piglets. For preventive purposes, the separated placenta is immediately burned or buried. If animals eat it, their diet is reduced and laxative salts are given.
Eating piglets by a sow. The reason for eating newborns is nervous excitement due to diseases of the digestive system, uterus, vagina, udder, as well as injury to the nipples sharp teeth piglets during sucking, eating placenta and feeding queens raw meat. Therefore, in order to prevent this abnormal phenomenon, they stop giving meat to sows 1-2 months before giving birth; they remove the placenta, monitor the condition of the nipples and udder, massage the udder 5-10 days before birth, and do not leave the piglets under the uterus after she feeds them.
Postpartum paresis. Dairy cows often get sick and goats, sheep and pigs get sick less often, mainly when kept in stalls and underfed during pregnancy, when the diet contains a lot of concentrates and little roughage and succulent feed. This helps reduce calcium and glucose levels in the body of pregnant animals. The disease occurs in the first days after childbirth, and sometimes several weeks later. Animals quickly become depressed and weak in the backside; they lie down and cannot get up. With a mild course of the disease, the body temperature drops to 37.5-37°, the skin of the torso and limbs becomes cold, the head is held suspended, the neck is curved. In more severe cases, the head is thrown back onto the chest; if you lift it, it returns to the same position. The animal does not react to touching the skin and eyelids. Body temperature drops to 35-36°. Sometimes there is lacrimation, swelling of the eyelids, wheezing and moaning, the tongue is paralyzed and hangs out of the mouth (Fig. 43). The illness lasts 2-3 days. If the animal is not helped, it may die.

Treatment. To help the animal, it is recommended to pump air into all teats of the udder using a special Evers apparatus; which should be on every farm. It consists of two rubber balls, a metal can, a rubber tube and a milk catheter, which is inserted into the udder nipple. Before insufflation, you need to milk the milk from the udder, wipe the nipples and milk catheter with alcohol or vodka. The air is pumped slowly until the udder feels elastic. To hold it in the udder, lightly bandage the ends of the nipples with a bandage, and after 1 hour the bandage is removed. You should not pull the nipples too tightly, as they may become dead. You don't have to bandage your nipples. At the same time, the entire body of the animal is massaged with strands of straw and covered with a blanket. Medicinal substances and other liquids cannot be given orally, since the animal cannot swallow due to pharyngeal paresis. The animal's recovery occurs after 3-4 hours; it is not recommended to lift it. Sometimes for full recovery you have to re-inject air.
For the treatment of maternity paresis, a new method has been proposed, based on stopping the movement of blood through the milk veins. To do this, take a rubber tube with a diameter of 1-2 cm and a length of 2-3 m (a rope can be used) and pass it around the body so that it passes in front of the udder. The ends of the rubber tube are tied on the animal's back. After 20-40 minutes, the pressure of the tube is gradually (over 3-5 minutes) weakened and removed. If the disease recurs, a tourniquet is applied again. At the same time, rub the surface of the animal’s body with bunches of straw. After recovery, animals are fed only hay and warm water for 2-3 days, and then other foods are gradually introduced into the diet.
For maternity paresis in pigs, they are wrapped warmly, the udder is massaged, and enemas are given.
To prevent maternity paresis, pregnant animals are allowed to go for a walk every day, last month pregnancy reduce the supply of concentrates. Cows, sheep, and goats that have had postpartum paresis in the past are given a sugar solution or a 10% calcium chloride solution within 4-5 days before birth.
Postpartum intoxication and infection. Serious disease of the entire body, occurring in the first hours after birth as a result of penetration of microbes and their toxins into the blood through the mucous membranes of the birth canal. The development of the disease is facilitated by injuries to the mucous membranes during difficult childbirth, rough assistance during childbirth and unsanitary conditions keeping animals.
Signs of the disease: general weakness, increased body temperature, refusal to feed, indigestion and increased breathing, disheveled fur. The animal quickly loses weight, lies down and greatly reduces milk yield, sometimes diarrhea occurs; bloody fluid is discharged from the vagina unpleasant smell; The vaginal mucosa may have ulcers and dark red spots covered with gray-yellow scabs. The disease lasts 8-10 days and can result in the death of the animal.
Treatment of postpartum intoxication is carried out veterinarian, and livestock farmers must ensure that this disease does not occur. To do this, you need to keep the maternity premises clean, wash the rear part of the animal’s body with disinfectant solutions before and after childbirth, carefully provide assistance during difficult births, lubricate wounds and cracks in the birth canal with ichthyol or creolin ointment, iodine tincture, monitor the timely separation of the placenta and isolate sick from healthy

Farmers are happy to wait for the cow to calve, because so much effort has been devoted to caring for the animal during the last 9 months of pregnancy. However, the appearance of offspring is often associated with troubles, and this is due to illness in cows after calving. Labor greatly weakens the cow, so any complications and illnesses that arise during the period after the birth of the calf are a reason to seek help from the veterinary service.

Characteristics and types of diseases

The period after the birth of a calf is often accompanied by various pathologies of cow health. There are injuries sustained during labor activity, are developing inflammatory processes against the background of decreased immunity of the animal. What complications occur most often in the period after calving:

1. Uterine prolapse.
2. Retention of placenta.
3. Ruptures of the perineum and vagina.
4. Layover.
5. Infectious diseases.

Let's look at each condition separately to get some idea about possible complications and their manifestations.

Uterine prolapse

Uterine prolapse after calving – dangerous pathology which can lead to endometritis, infertility and even sepsis. The most common causes of uterine intussusception are:

1. Poor living conditions during pregnancy.
2. Lack of regular walking.
3. Difficult birth.
4. Poor nutrition during pregnancy.
5. Tethered housing in a room with an adobe floor.
6. Diseases.

Uterine prolapse, regardless of the reasons that provoked this condition, is always associated with a weakening of the walls of the reproductive organ - they become flabby. During calving, due to strong contractions, the uterus turns inside out and penetrates through the open canal of the cervix to the outside.

A visual examination of the animal allows a diagnosis of uterine prolapse to be made. In this case, a pear-shaped organ protrudes from the cow’s vagina, which can hang down to the hock joint. This pathology requires qualified assistance. The uterus must be treated - rinsed with water and a solution of potassium permanganate, and then set in place. An important stage of treatment is fixation reproductive organ inside to prevent it from falling out again. To do this, take the following actions:

• A pessary is inserted into the vagina - a fixing device designed to hold the uterus inside.
• stitches are placed on the vulva;
• provide the animal with an inclined position (the croup is higher than the head).

A veterinarian or a person with experience who has repeatedly performed this procedure should perform repositioning of the cow's uterus. To do this, he puts on gloves, clenches his hand into a fist, wraps it in cotton cloth and presses the prolapsed organ inside exactly in the center.

Attention! If there are necrotic lesions or other suspicious inclusions on the organ, the uterus must be removed. In this case, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.

Retention of placenta

Retained placenta is common in veterinary practice. After calving, the placenta should normally separate within 2-6 hours. Sometimes it happens a little later. But if the afterbirth does not come out within 8 hours after the calf is born, it is said to be detained. Why this condition is dangerous:

• The placental tissue will begin to decompose in the cow's uterus.
• The infection will spread to the walls of the uterus.
• Intoxication of the body will begin.
• The purulent contents will penetrate through the blood into other organs.

If the afterbirth remains inside for a long time, this is fraught with even more serious problems up to and including death. That is why you need to contact a veterinarian as early as possible, 8-10 hours after the end of labor in a cow.

Reference. The absence of an afterbirth does not always mean that it is delayed. Sometimes animals eat it.

How to determine that the placenta has not left the birth canal:

1. When it is partially retained, tissue fragments are usually visible in the vagina.
2. The cow is worried, straining, mooing.
3. Loses appetite and looks lethargic.
4. Within a day the temperature may rise.
5. The vagina smells unpleasant and purulent discharge appears.

At the first symptoms of illness, you should inform your veterinarian. The afterbirth must be removed. For this purpose they are used hormonal agents, enhancing uterine tone, various solutions that are poured into the cavity of the reproductive organ. If separation of the placenta cannot be achieved, mechanical extraction is resorted to. Then the uterine cavity is treated with antibacterial compounds. Treatment also includes injections of antibiotics to prevent the development of endometritis and sepsis.

Vaginal rupture

Vaginal rupture is another pathology after calving, which occurs quite often, especially in first-calf heifers. The main reasons for this complication:

1. Prolonged labor.
2. Rapid birth.
3. Vaginal dryness.
4. Incorrect presentation of the fetus.
5. Large fruit.
6. Unqualified calving assistance.
7. Mechanical removal of the placenta.

Vaginal rupture is dangerous due to the risk of bleeding in the cow and the risk of infection in the cow. open wound. In case of significant internal and external cracks in the perineum, the animal is given sutures and the wounds are regularly treated with disinfecting solutions and other means:

• Potassium permanganate.
• Chamomile decoction.
• Ichthyol ointment.
• Antibacterial agents.

Small wounds located at the vaginal opening are lubricated with iodine. TO preventive measures include - proper management of labor, prevention of early labor, administration of antispasmodics, careful delivery of the calf without the use of brute force, lubrication of the vagina with sterile fat during calving.

Infections

Infectious diseases in cows during the post-calving period develop against the background of complications. For existing injuries in the uterus or vulva pathogenic microflora may get inside. The uterine environment is ideal for the growth of bacteria - it is warm and humid. As a result, endometritis may develop - inflammation of the endometrium. The body, weakened by labor, is unable to cope with pathogenic microflora.

Similarly, infection affects the uterus when the placenta is retained. Fragments of placental tissue located inside the reproductive organ begin to rot, microbes multiply and cause severe inflammation. Any infectious diseases can be identified by their characteristic symptoms:

1. General deterioration of the animal's condition.
2. Increased body temperature.
3. Lack of appetite.
4. Signs of intoxication.

Treatment of infections involves the use of antibiotics wide range actions. The dosage and regimen are prescribed by the veterinarian, taking into account the condition of the animal, the severity of the development of the process, and the weight of the cow.

Layover after calving

Often after the birth of a calf, farmers notice that the cow cannot get up on her feet. She constantly lies down, and if she tries to get up, she can’t, she falls. This condition is called laying after calving. What are its reasons:

1. Fracture of the pelvic bones.
2. Tendon strain in the pelvic area.
3. Pinching sciatic nerve, as well as obturator.
4. Inflammation of muscle fibers.

Reference. The quality of the diet during pregnancy is directly related to the occurrence of this pathology.

Treatment includes measures aimed at eliminating the problem - eliminating the consequences of the injury received during calving. It is equally important to prevent the development of bedsores in the animal. The cow is provided with rest; she should lie on soft bedding. Periodically turn it over and massage the affected areas using camphor alcohol. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

When does a cow start walking after calving?

At favorable course labor activity and the absence of complications, the cow begins to show the first signs of heat two to three weeks after calving. However, at this time her heat will be short. The explanation for this is very simple - reproductive system The cows have not yet recovered. Corpus luteum is not yet capable of reproducing full-fledged eggs.

It will take some time before the next insemination. It is necessary for the cow to rest and gain strength. Pregnancy – difficult period, during which the body is severely depleted. The uterus should also return to normal, shrink to its natural size. The optimal time until the next mating is 45-60 days. However, in some cases it is worth waiting longer:

1. If the cow is weakened.
2. If complications arise during pregnancy and calving.
3. If the animal has low fertility.

Under such circumstances, it is worth giving the cow more time to recover and starting insemination no earlier than 80-90 days after the previous calving.

High-quality cow care during pregnancy and proper preparation to calving - important factors, helping to avoid many problems and complications after the birth of a calf. Farmers should be attentive to their animals in order to recognize in time alarming symptoms and seek help from a veterinarian.