Bovine Puerperal Metritis: Welfare in Fresh Dairy Cows

Key Facts

• Metritis affects 10-20% of dairy cows in the post-calving period in most production systems
• Risk factors include dystocia, retained placenta, twin birth, and poor body condition at calving
• Clinical signs include fever above 39.5C, malodorous uterine discharge, and systemic depression
• Systemic antibiotic treatment and NSAID analgesia are the standard welfare-centered treatment approach
• Untreated metritis leads to prolonged uterine infection, endometritis, and significantly reduced reproductive efficiency

Welfare Considerations

Puerperal metritis causes significant acute welfare suffering through systemic toxemia and uterine pain. Affected cows stand apart from the herd, have reduced appetite, and show obvious depression from fever. NSAID treatment is a critical welfare component — cows treated with NSAIDs alongside antibiotics show faster temperature normalization and return to appetite. Prevention through good calving hygiene significantly reduces metritis incidence.

What You Can Do

• Administer systemic antibiotics plus NSAIDs to all cows meeting diagnostic criteria for metritis
• Monitor all fresh cows twice daily for fever and vaginal discharge in the first two weeks post-calving
• Provide good calving hygiene: clean areas, gloves for examinations, prompt assistance for difficult calvings
• Check retained placentas promptly but do not attempt manual removal before 24 hours post-calving
• Record and review metritis incidence quarterly to identify management factors amenable to improvement