Post Parium Period Pathological conditions

Eclampsia (milk fever)

Hypocalemia

Common in dairy cows d/t high Ca+ requirement of lactation

Excess Ca+ prior to lactation reduces physiological response to the rapid requirement (decreased parathyroid response)

Symptoms: weakness & recumbent

Tx: IV calcium gluconate

Obturator Paralysis

D/t excess pressure on O. nerve during delivery

Hind limb paresis/paralysis

Tx: NSAID, glucocorticoids & PT

• rotate to prevent decubital sores in recumbent animals

Retained Placenta

Associated with mineral imbalance prepartum ie. Ca+, selenium, copper or zinc

also associated with dystocia, assisted delivery or induced birth

Tx: placenta usually left in place, intra-uterine and systemic antibiotics, estrogen and prostaglandin therapy & oxytocin

Uterine Prolapse

Associated with hypocalcemia and dystocia

-emergency potential potential for uterine damage, hemorrhage and hypothermia

replaced uterus into abdomen with purse string

Metritis

Secondary to retained placenta

Endotoxemia- uterine lavage, saline with dilute betadine (2-5liters)

Systemic and systemic antibiotics

Post Partum Udder Edema & Mastitis

Udder edema- dairy cows, may cause mastitis and damage to Udder suspensory apparatus

Mastitis- stress from early lactation and immunosuppression due to IgG antibodies in colostrum can cause this

Tx: NSAID, corticosteroids and diuretics & systemic and intra mammary antibiotics

Ketosis

Inadequate energy means use of fat causing the liver to be overwhelmed and build up with ketones suppressing appetite aggravating the situation

Tx: IV glucose and glucorticoid hormones ( dexamethazole )

Left/ Right Displaced( Torsion) Abomasum

Common in high producing post partum dairy cows

RDA = Emergency

If cow goes off feed predisposed to ketosis, eclampsia, mastitis (can treat concurrently)

Tx: abomasoplexy( suture fundus to body wall)

Agalactia

Result if any conditions not successfully treated