Efficacy of manual removal and parenteral antibiotic therapy for retained foetal membranes in cattle

Abstract

Retained foetal membrane is an economically important post partum complication in dairy cattle. This study was
undertaken to compare the efficacy between manual removal versus non-removal of retained foetal membranes, with parentral
antibiotic therapy . Forty crossbred cows which retained the foetal membranes beyond 8 - 12 hours after normal calving, were
randomly distributed into two groups. Group I cows were subjected to manual removal and parentral antibiotic therapy and Group
II cows were subjected only to parentral antibiotic therapy. In both the groups the nature of lochia, uterine involution and milk yield
were assessed once in 48 hours until recovery. There was no significant difference in the duration of uterine involution and milk yield
between the groups. Parentral antibiotic therapy without manual removal can be suggested as a choice of therapy for retention of
foetal membranes.