Evaluation of a Systemic Antibiotic Treatment of Toxic Puerperal Metritis in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and economic efficiency of a systemic treatment of toxic puerperal metritis in dairy cows with ceftiofur. Cows with abnormal vaginal discharge at a postpartum examination (d 4 to 6 after calving) and a rectal temperature ≥39.5°C were assigned to three treatment groups. Cows in group 1 (n = 70) received 600mg of ceftiofur intramuscularly (i.m.) on 3 consecutive days. Cows in group 2 (n = 79) received an intrauterine treatment with antibiotic pills consisting of 2500mg of ampicillin and 2500mg of cloxacillin and an additional 6000mg (i.m.) of ampicillin. This treatment was performed on 3 consecutive days. Cows in group 3 (n = 78) received the same intrauterine treatment as in group 2. In addition, 600 mg of ceftiofur was administered i.m. on 3 consecutive days. Body temperature was recorded daily for 6 d after first treatment.There were no significant differences among the groups regarding clinical efficacy at d 6 after first treatment. The cure rates based on rectal temperatures declining to below 39.5°C on d 6 after treatment were 82.9, 84.8, and 84.6% for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Reproductive performance did not differ significantly between group 1 and groups 2 and 3 for any of the measures tested. A financial analysis with 87 different cost scenarios demonstrated that a systemic treatment of toxic puerperal metritis in cattle with ceftiofur is an effective alternative to the combination of local and systemic treatments.