[The therapy of postpartum secretion retention (lochiometra) in high-yielding cows]

In 11 specialised dairy farms belonging to the herd book and cattle health service of the Bureau of animal health in Hannover 1134 gynaecological examinations had been accomplished during a two and a half years period every four weeks. 120 cows (approximately 10%) showed an ichorous vaginal secretion between the second and third week post partum. The treatment was conducted beginning from ten days post partum with a high antibiotical dosage (4 g Tetracycline) in shape of small-sized pessaries (UT-forte, MSD) and additionally the cows received 20 micrograms GnRH (Receptal, Hoechst) by intramuscular injection. 3-4 weeks later the cows were reexamined, 36 cows did not reveal any abnormal signs, the remainder had to be treated in accordance with the diagnosis in the sexual tract (on average 1.16 times). After a mean interval calving to first service of 93 days 85% of the cows with lochiometra needed some more than two A. l's with a six weeks' delay to get pregnant. The reasons for the differences between the results of this study and those of other investigations are explained. It requires a great deal of veterinary labor to prevent the inflammatory processes in the genital tract from getting chronic, that is why lochiometra must be looked upon as one of the most aggravating puerperal disease. The medical care of the uterus with high doses of antibiotics combined with the application of GnRH must be recognized as a good supplement to the therapy of retained placenta favoured by Götze or other puerperal disorders such as lochiometra especially in regard to compatibility and high pregnancy rates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)