Retained Placenta in Livestock: Causes & Management

Retained placenta, also known as retained fetal membrane, is a condition where the fetal membranes fail to separate from the mother's side after the birth of a calf. It is a common occurrence during the puerperal period, which is the time immediately after delivery when the dam resumes its normal activities in preparation for the next cycle.

This article explores the stages of parturition in livestock, the causes of retained placenta, and the various treatment and management options available.

Stages of Parturition in Livestock:

In cattle, parturition is referred to as calving, and it consists of three stages: dilation of the cervix, delivery of the calf, and delivery of the placenta. Normally, the placenta is expelled within 3 to 8 hours after parturition. If it remains unexpelled after 12 hours or more, it indicates a pathological condition.

Causes of Retained Placenta in Livestock:

A retained placenta is commonly associated with dystocia (difficult birth), milk fever (metabolic diseases), and twin births. The underlying cause is insufficient contractions in the uterus or failure of the chronic villi on cotyledons to detach from the crypts in curancles.

This can be due to uterine infections and diseases such as Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, and Trichomoniasis. Other diseases caused by Salmonella, coliforms, coccidia, and corynebacteria can also lead to myometrial contractions.

Uterine diseases like dropsy of fetal membranes, uterine torsion, dystocia, twinning, and fetal gigantism are additional factors that can cause placental retention.

Note: The term for these conditions is uterine atony. While placenta retention can be hereditary, it is more prevalent in animals with shorter gestation periods.

Factors Affecting Placental Retention:

Lack of carotene, vitamin A, and selenium is known to increase the incidence of placental retention, likely due to alterations in the epithelium that lines the placental crypts. Management factors such as stall confinement, limited movement in zero grazing, and continued suckling by calves can also influence the occurrence of retained placenta.

Premature removal of calves through cesarean section can cause delays in placental expulsion.

Treatment of Retained Placenta in Livestock:

There are two main approaches to treating retained placenta: conservative treatment and manual removal.

1 . Conservative Treatment:

If the placenta is separated but not expelled, it can be gently pulled through the cervix. Uterotonic medications like oxytocin, methylergonovine, carboprost, or prostaglandins are administered to facilitate contractions once the placenta is removed.

Hormones such as oxytocin, estrogen, and prostaglandin 17 can be incorporated into intrauterine pessaries to stimulate myometrial contractions. Other drugs like antihistamines, pain relievers, antibiotics, and calcium borogluconate may be used in conjunction with conservative treatment.

The retained placenta will eventually drop on its own.

2 . Manual Removal:

The placenta is considered foreign to the body after parturition, and whether it is removed or not, it will be expelled eventually. Some veterinarians prefer early removal, typically between 24 and 36 hours after parturition, due to advantages such as better cervical dilation, reduced putrefaction, and decreased chances of membrane breakage.

However, early removal can pose difficulties in separating cotyledons and curacles and increases the stress on the uterus, making it more susceptible to infections.

Late removal of the retained placenta offers advantages such as easier detachment of cotyledons and curacles, a more resistant uterus to infection, and proper uterine contraction.

However, it comes with disadvantages such as extensive putrefaction, a foul odor that complicates the procedure, and increased fragility of the fetal membranes.

Procedure for Removal of Retained Placenta:

When conducting the removal procedure, it is important to follow these steps:

1. Restrain the animal.
2. Scrub, clean, and disinfect the vulva and the surrounding area.
3. Clean and disinfect your hands thoroughly, and wear gloves to protect against zoonotic diseases.
4. Lubricate your hand before gently introducing it into the vagina.
5. Locate the points of attachment of the membrane at the cotyledons and separate them gently but quickly.
6. If separation becomes challenging, avoid applying excessive force and leave them in place.
7. Cut the part of the placenta that is hanging outside by pulling it downwards slightly before making the incision.
8. Veterinarians should be vaccinated against diseases like rabies and brucellosis.
9. Administer antibiotics, such as penicillin, after the removal of fetal membranes.
10. Intrauterine pessaries and systemic antibiotics can be used.
11. A combination of estrogen and oxytocin may also be prescribed.
12. Advise the animal's owner to monitor the animal for any possible complications and regularly check its temperature.
13. Revisit the animal after 20-30 days to ensure it is in good condition before recommending breeding.

Note:

In some cases, the retained placenta will shed on its own within 10 days, but it can potentially lead to serious infections. Keeping the cow in a clean and dry environment until the membranes are shed is advisable.

The use of antibiotics like Penicillin or Oxytetracycline once per day for 3-5 days may help prevent bacterial complications resulting from retained placenta.

If the animal is in good condition and there are no complications, there may be no need to intervene, as the placenta will eventually fall off naturally. However, it is essential to seek guidance from a veterinary doctor before attempting this riskier approach.

Conclusion:

Understanding retained placenta in livestock is crucial for effective management. By recognizing the causes, stages of parturition, and appropriate treatment options, farmers and veterinarians can mitigate the risks associated with this condition. Timely interventions, proper hygiene, and appropriate use of medications contribute to maintaining the reproductive and productive performance of dairy cows and other livestock.