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COWS-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 73
when something kills the fetus and it is not expelled. Serious infection in the uterus may occur when the fetus dies after the first trimester and is not expelled. The cow may start discharging puss or fragments of the rotting fetus, when this is the case call your vet to examine the cow. What has happened is the cow has tried to abort a dead fetus, but the cervix did not dilate enough for it to pass through, or the fetus was in an abnormal position and could not come through.
If the cervix opens when the fetus dies, bacteria enter the uterus and the dead fetus is invaded by the pathogens and begins to decay. Usually the cow shows signs of intermittent straining for several days and develops a foul smelling discharge, she may also have a fever and go off her feed. She needs to be treated with antibiotics, and the decaying fetal material may have to be removed by the vet. If the rotting tissues can be safely removed and the infection cleared up she may recover and rebreed after a few months. But a serious infection from this type of abortion can be fatal to the cow so do not delay in calling your vet if you suspect a problem.
FETAL DEATH AFTER THE FIRST TRIMESTER
Such a death does not always result in abortion or decomposition. When the cervix does not open and no infection enters the uterus, the fetus does not decay, the placental and fetal fluids are reabsorbed by the uterus and the fetus dries out and then mummifies. This has been known to happen with twins, one fetus dies whereas the other continues to develop. The live calf is usually born normally when it reaches its full term, and it is at that time the mummified calf is discovered. It is more usual that the dead calf is single and not a twin and due to a hormonal imbalance the uterus continues on as if pregnant with the cervix remaining closed, the dead fetus is not expelled. The uterus contracts and tightly encloses the fetus. The longer the condition exists, the drier, firmer and more leather like the fetus becomes.
If the cervix opens when the fetus dies, bacteria enter the uterus and the dead fetus is invaded by the pathogens and begins to decay. Usually the cow shows signs of intermittent straining for several days and develops a foul smelling discharge, she may also have a fever and go off her feed. She needs to be treated with antibiotics, and the decaying fetal material may have to be removed by the vet. If the rotting tissues can be safely removed and the infection cleared up she may recover and rebreed after a few months. But a serious infection from this type of abortion can be fatal to the cow so do not delay in calling your vet if you suspect a problem.
FETAL DEATH AFTER THE FIRST TRIMESTER
Such a death does not always result in abortion or decomposition. When the cervix does not open and no infection enters the uterus, the fetus does not decay, the placental and fetal fluids are reabsorbed by the uterus and the fetus dries out and then mummifies. This has been known to happen with twins, one fetus dies whereas the other continues to develop. The live calf is usually born normally when it reaches its full term, and it is at that time the mummified calf is discovered. It is more usual that the dead calf is single and not a twin and due to a hormonal imbalance the uterus continues on as if pregnant with the cervix remaining closed, the dead fetus is not expelled. The uterus contracts and tightly encloses the fetus. The longer the condition exists, the drier, firmer and more leather like the fetus becomes.