Are retained fetal membranes important?

Are retained fetal membranes important?

The majority of the effect of retained fetal membranes depends on the severity of associated uterine infection. The severity of infection depends upon factors other than retention of the membranes, such as whether there was a difficult calving or whether the cow is in poor condition. Retained fetal membranes alone do not cause poor fertility, so leaving them attached rather than removing them does not lead to poorer fertility.

Treatment of retained fetal membranes

Manual removal is the most commonly used treatment method. Its chief advantage is that it removes the smelly mass that is hanging from the vulva. However, if traction is applied too early or too forcefully then the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) can be damaged, increasing the risk of persistent infection. Manual removal has no benefit on fertility, so they can be left to come out on their own. As an aid in parlour management otherwise healthy cows can have their membranes cut off at the vulva, with no traction, if they are still present more than 72 hours after calving. If you think removal is needed, leave cows with retained fetal membranes for at least 96 hours after calving and then use gentle traction only. If the membranes do not come they should be left to break down further. If the cow is sick then membranes should not be removed unless they are just retained within in the vagina often held there by the contracted cervix (neck of the womb).

There are no readily available treatment agents which can expel attached membranes. Prostaglandins, oestrogens and oxytocin have all proven ineffective even when given as a preventative measure soon after calving. Additionally there is no evidence that antibiotic treatment of cows with retained fetal membranes is of value.

So when treating cows with retained fetal membranes, the focus should be on identifying sick cows with signs of metritis (high temperature, reduced appetite and poor milk yield) as soon as possible and treating those cows with parenteral antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Irrespective of whether they were sick or not, all cows that had retained fetal membranes should be checked for endometritis at least two weeks before the end of their voluntary wait period, usually around 6 - 8 weeks after calving.