Animal Health & Nutrition
Management is Key to Preventing Postpartum Diseases
Rick Lundquist, Ph.D.
Retained placenta and metritis are transition period diseases involving the immune system and they start at least two weeks prior to calving, according to Stephen LeBlanc at the University of Guelph. Retained placenta is almost always caused by impaired immune function before calving. Cows with retained placenta have increased chances of developing metritis. These diseases also increase the incidence of displaced abomasum and reduce reproductive performance. The bacteria that cause metritis are almost always present, so cows with healthy immune systems have a better chance to clear these bacteria from the uterus after calving. Obviously a clean calving area will reduce bacterial contamination, but since these bacteria are ubiquitous, cows that are healthy when they calve are less likely to develop retained placenta or metritis.
While treatment with antibiotics may reduce the severity of these diseases, prevention by proper transition management is the key. Maximizing feed intake during the transition period is probably the most important factor to enhance immune function. Animals in the close up pen should have at least 30 inches of bunk space and stocking density should be less than 85% of maximum. Fall is typically a time of heavy calving in many areas of the country, so overcrowding can be a problem. Grouping cows and heifers separately both prepartum and in the fresh pen will help maximize intake. Reduce heat stress with good heat abatement in the prefresh and fresh cow facilities. Prepartum diets should be include vitamin E levels of 1000 â€" 2000 IU/cow/day and selenium at 0.3 ppm.