Retained foetal membranes are one of those frustrating problems that all cattle farmers face during the calving period.
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The foetal membranes, also known as the placenta, is where the transfer of oxygen and nutrients between the cow and developing calf take place during pregnancy.
Foetal membranes normally come away soon after calving. They are considered ‘retained’ if they are still present 12 hours after calving.
Whilst the best course of action will vary depending upon the circumstance, usually it is best to do nothing for the first 72 hours as many membranes will come away by themselves. Simply cut the membranes off below the vulva.
Pulling on or manually removing RFMs will usually do more harm than good.
- Dr Jeff Cave
Pulling on or manually removing RFMs will usually do more harm than good. Veterinary attention should be sought if an affected cow goes off milk, loses condition, stops eating or looks sick.
There are many causes of RFMs - some of the main ones include:
- drug induction of calving
- twin calvings
- calving difficulties
- abortions
- milk fever.
Prevention strategies should be implemented if more than four per cent of non-induced cows have RFMs 24 hours after calving.
Some ways to reduce the incidence of RFMs include:
- minimising assisted calving’s
- feeding cows and heifers to calve in body condition score 2.5 to 3
- checking nutrition during the late dry period and calving time and controlling milk fever in cows close to calving
- ensuring Selenium and Vitamin E nutrition is adequate.
RFMs may lead to infections in the uterus, infertility, delayed cycling and lowered milk production. Therefore, are a significant cause of loss of production.