Summary
Objective: In cows with uterine torsion, clinical parameters and different treatments were evaluated
with regards to their success. The aim of the study was to investigate important factors
for diagnosis and prognosis of uterine torsion and their consequences for treatment
decisions. Material and methods: The study presents 114 cases of uterine torsion documented under field conditions.
The cows were examined before retorsion of the uterus and immediately post partum.
Results: In cases of good maternal preparation for parturition, neonatal mortality was 14.9
%, while in cases of insufficient preparation, this rose to 58.3% (p= 0.006). When
uterine torsion lasted > 12 hours, only 34.8 % of the calves survived, while in cases
with a duration of ˂ 6 hours or 6-12 hours, 85.7 % and 92.2 % of the calves survived,
respectively (p ˂ 0.001). In 82.5 % of the cases, intravaginal manual rotation of
the fetus and uterus was performed, while in 17.5 % of the cases, cows were rolled
by simultaneously fixating the uterus and fetus with a plank. No statistically significant
differences were found between these two treatment types regarding neonatal mortality
(4.7 % vs. 18.2 %; p = 0.139) or lacerations of the dam (31.9 % vs. 42.1 %; p = 0.391).
A delayed extraction of the calf after successful retorsion and waiting for widening
of the cervical canal is an option in cases of insufficient dilatation of the cervical
canal, even when there is a significantly higher risk for lacerations of the dam (57.2
%) compared to an immediate extraction (26.8 %; p = 0.018). As the duration of manipulation
increases, the extent of injury to the dam also increases significantly (p ˂ 0.001).
Conclusion and clinical relevance: The quality of maternal preparation for parturition in cows with uterine torsion
can be used as a prognostic factor for calf survival. Under field conditions, most
of the cases of uterine torsion can be successfully treated manually. An appropriate
and indication-oriented use of the rolling method with the application of a plank
can be recommended. In cases of uterine torsion, proper periparturient monitoring
and early intervention are of crucial importance for the course of the disease and
for the prognosis of the dam and offspring.
Keywords
Uterine torsion - cow - lacerations - neonatal mortality
