Clinical Management of Retention of Fetal Membranes in Cow Case Report

Abstract

Retention of placenta is one of the most common postpartum conditions in farm animals associated with infertility and many other complications when not treated promptly and adequately. In this report, two different cases of placenta retention recently handled at Military farm Chittagong, Chittagong Cantonment, Bangladesh Army and Upozella veterinary hospital, Gaibandha Sadar, Gaibandha are described. In the first case, a crossbred Jersey cow weighted 300kg in sixth parity was presented with the history of normal calving but the placenta was not expelled about 20 hours after calving. This was treated successfully with 20IU intramuscularly. The placenta was expelled 6 hours after the oxytocin injection. The case was completely cured after two week. After one month follow up further no complication was found on that cow. In the second case, a 6-year old Friesian cow weighing 350kg was presented to the Upozella veterinary hospital, Gaibandha Sadar, Gaibandha with primary complaint of inappetance and fouled smelling discharges from the vulva region. The cow had a history of calving 36 hours ago but the calf did not survive. Small portion of placenta was observed as protruding out from the vulva region. Through physical evaluation of the cow by per vaginal examination, the condition was diagnosed as retention of placenta. The case was treated by applying traction on the little stump of the placenta hanging out of the vulva. But after one month the cow further showed complication with the sign of Pyometra. In conclusion, this report has shown that retention of placenta is a frequent clinical phenomenon in cattle and can be successfully treated with gentle traction and oxytocin administration. But several times it may show further complication when not treated adequately.