Cow cleansing

[106-1100209741]

How long can cows take to cleanse after calving?

We've had some cleanse almost immediately but some others take much longer. Having called a vet out after 3 days, I was told this wasn't anything to worry about, so when should the worrying start?

[Duncan MacIntyre]

If you ask 10 vets the same question you will probably get 12 answers. Many opinions on cleansing cows date from pre antibiotic days, and I mean both farmer and vet opinions. It used to be widely accepted that cows should be manually cleansed on about the 3rd day if they had not done so themselves. I think one of the reasons for this was that if there was too much manual interference too soon after calving, in the absence of antibiotics this actually increased the chances of a serious metritis following.
By the time I was emerging from Vet School in the mid 1970's some practices were doing it much earlier, within 24 hours, using antibiotic pessaries with injections as well if there was any doubt on the completeness of the job. At about the same time more scientific researchers were saying that any manual interference was bad as it was liable to introduce infection if there was not any there already. They recommended that we should leave the placenta alone and give antibiotic cover for 3 or 4 days. The cervix would usually close and the remains of the placenta be ejected as spagetti soup at 7 to 10 days post calving. In fact many cows will do just that if left alone. With dairy cows which live a more high power life that beef sucklers I think it is dangerous to leave them. I usually try to remove the placenta manually at 2nd or 3rd day, if it will not come cleanly and easily I put in antibiotic pessaries and give them 4 days on oxytetracycline. It is probably safer to leave beef cows completely alone, but best to be very watchful and any sign of dullness, temperature rise, vaginal discharge, be ready to have them on antibiotics.
There is problably no one correct answer.
Horse owners should adopt a completely different approach as the consequences of retained placenta in mares can be much more serious much more often. I tell all my clients to let us know if a mare has not cleansed completely by 6 hours after foaling. Sheep these days are probably lucky to get one dose of long acting antibiotics if anyone notices they have not cleansed.

Duncan

[Martin]

My Vet is of the same opinion as you Duncan, interferance can cause more problems than it solves. Cows are very resilient and nature normally sorts itself out without our help. One of my cows had retained cleansings which where finally discharged after 2 weeks when she came bulling. The vet said that on the first or second cycle she may not be very fertile but as the bull was not due to run with them for two months or more it would not be a problem. As you mention, good stockmanship and observation will spot any real problem early. I am lucky that my vet likes Dexters and shows a real interest whenever he visits, I make the most of his visits by asking as many questions that I can remember or need to ask, he is much more knowlegeable than me and I use his experience to my advantage. He also loves Dexter beef and is one of my customers!
Martin. Medway Valley Dexters.

[Sylvia]

That is such an nteresting answer, Duncan. Our animal keeping has gone: pygmy goats (afterbirths not out within a couple of hours - cause for concern), alpacas (after a a short time and all complete in one go - if not cause for concern. Sheep and cattle, ye gods was I surprised when the vet said I could leave a ewe 3 days and cows, well I couldn't believe how long I was told they could be left with total nonchalence. Now I understand why.

[Broomcroft]

My vet agrees with Duncan also.