Investigation the Efficiency Ceftiofur Hydrochloride in Prevention of Uterine Postpartum Infections and Improvement the Fertility Parameters in Holstein Dairy Cows Affected by Retained Fetal Membrane and Dystocia

Abstract

Objective: Ceftiofur, a third-generation cephalosporin, is used as a usual antimicrobial drug in veterinary medicine. Positive efficiency of ceftiofur for treatment of retained fetal membrane (RFM) and acute puerperal metritis has been previously reported. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of ceftiofur hydrochloride (CH) in prevention of uterine postpartum infections and improvement the fertility parameters in Holstein dairy cows. Methods: After parturition, 300 dairy cows affected with dystocia and RFM, from a single dairy herd, were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=150). Group1 (control) was not treated but other group (CH) was subcutaneously treated with 2.2 mg/kg CH for 5 days. Results: CH could significantly reduce rate of uterine infections compared with control groups (P<0.01). Open days and first service rate were significantly lower in CH group compared with control group (P<0.01). It can be concluded that uterine infections and metritis are inevitable part of dairy cow transitional period. Injection of CH had beneficial effects on reduction the infections and thus it can be advised use of CH to reduce infections and increasing fertility rate in dairy cows affected with RFM and dystocia, before other control program.