Treatment of Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse in Cattle with Sichuan Pepper and Borneol

Endometritis is inflammation of the uterine mucosa, a common reproductive organ disease in cows and one of the important causes of infertility in cows. Affected cows often show abnormal estrus and fail to conceive repeatedly; even if conceived, they are prone to miscarriage during pregnancy, bringing considerable economic losses to the @#@228@#@ industry.

1 Causes

The disease is mainly caused by infection through the invasion of streptococci, staphylococci and Escherichia coli during breeding, calving and assisted delivery in difficult births. Damage to the uterine mucosa and reduced body resistance of the cow are important factors promoting the occurrence of this disease.

2 Symptoms

2.1 Acute endometritis mostly occurs after calving or abortion. The body temperature is slightly elevated, appetite and rumination are reduced, the animal is listless, arches its back, strains, and frequently assumes a urination posture; mucous or mucopurulent discharge is expelled from the vulva, with a larger amount discharged when lying down, often adhering to the lower angle of the vulva and the base of the tail. On vaginal examination, the mucosa of the external opening of the cervix is congested and swollen, and inflammatory discharge accumulates at the bottom of the vagina. On rectal examination, the uterine horns feel enlarged and thickened.

2.2 Chronic mucous endometritis often presents with an abnormal estrous cycle; when the affected cow lies down or is in estrus, turbid mucus with flocculent material is discharged from the vagina. The mucosa of the vagina and the external opening of the cervix is congested and swollen, and the above-mentioned discharge sometimes accumulates at the bottom of the vagina. The uterine horns become enlarged, with a thick and soft wall.

2.3 In chronic mucopurulent endometritis, the affected cow shows mild systemic reactions, listlessness, poor appetite, and an abnormal estrous cycle; grayish-white or yellowish-brown thin pus is discharged from the vagina, and thin scabs often adhere to the base of the tail, vulva, thighs and hocks. On vaginal examination, congestion of the vaginal mucosa and cervix can be found, with purulent discharge adhering to them. On rectal examination, the uterine horns are enlarged, and the reflux fluid from flushing is turbid like noodle soup or rice water, mixed with pus blocks and flocculent material.

3 Prevention and Treatment

3.1 Prevention During calving assistance and assisted delivery in difficult births, attention must be paid to disinfection, and aseptic operating rules must be followed during artificial insemination. Cows suffering from reproductive organ diseases should not be bred before treatment, so as to prevent the occurrence of this disease.

3.2 Western Medicine Treatment The treatment of this disease mainly involves controlling infection, eliminating inflammation and promoting the discharge of pathological secretions from the uterine cavity.

3.2.1 Uterine Flushing Method For acute and chronic mucous cases, usually 5000-10000 ml of 1% warm normal saline is used to repeatedly flush the uterus until the discharged fluid is clear. After the fluid is completely drained, 500000 units each of penicillin and streptomycin in 20-30 ml of normal saline are injected into the uterus once daily for 2-4 consecutive times, which can achieve good results.

For occult cases, 1-2 hours before breeding, 250-500 ml of normal saline or soda solution (sodium chloride 1 g, sodium bicarbonate 3 g, glucose 9 g, warm water 1000 ml) is used to flush the uterus, which is beneficial to fertilization.

For mucopurulent and purulent cases, 3000-5000 ml of iodine saline (20 ml of 2% iodine tincture added to 1000 ml of 1% saline) can be used for flushing, or 0.1% rivanol or 0.1% potassium permanganate solution can also be used for flushing. When there is not much exudate in the uterus, there is no need to flush; 50 ml of glycerin or bismuth iodoform paste can be infused into the uterus.

For chronic cases with a long course of disease, 250-500 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used for flushing; after 1-1.5 hours, flush clean with 1% saline, then inject antibiotics. This method is generally used only once, or twice if necessary.

When the uterine secretions are putrid and foul-smelling, it is advisable to flush with 0.5% lysol or 0.1% potassium permanganate solution, but the number of times should not be excessive. Afterwards, other medicinal solutions may be used for flushing according to the situation.

3.2.2 Drug Infusion Method For the treatment of chronic mucous, chronic mucopurulent and chronic purulent endometritis with antibiotics, there is no need to flush the uterus; simply infuse 20 ml of a suspension oil of antibiotics into the uterus, or use a suspension oil of traditional Chinese medicine and antibiotics. That is, 400000 units of penicillin, 2000000 units of streptomycin, 600 mg of neomycin (or erythromycin) and 20 ml of vegetable oil are prepared into a suspension oil and infused into the uterus once. Or 5 ml each of the extracts of Angelica sinensis, Leonurus japonicus and Carthamus tinctorius, 400000 units of penicillin, 1000000 units of streptomycin and 20 ml of vegetable oil, prepared and used in the same way as above.

3.2.3 Iodine Preparations In treating chronic endometritis, 20-30 ml of an equal-part paraffin oil compound iodine solution is commonly used, or 30-40 ml of a 1:2 to 1:4 iodine tincture paraffin oil solution is infused into the uterus. To prepare the 1:2 to 1:4 iodine tincture paraffin oil solution, first take one part of 2% iodine tincture, put it into 2-4 parts of paraffin oil, heat to 50°C-60°C, shake evenly, and set aside.

3.3 Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment According to the condition, one of the following prescriptions may be selected: Atractylodes macrocephala (stir-fried with soil) 50 g, Atractylodes lancea 50 g, Chinese yam 50 g, dried tangerine peel 40 g, wine-processed Plantago seed 20 g, charred Schizonepeta 20 g, wine-processed white peony root 30 g, Codonopsis pilosula 50 g, Bupleurum 20 g, licorice 25 g, all ground into fine powder, with 250 ml of yellow rice wine as a guide, mixed with boiling water and taken warm after cooling. For damp-heat cases, remove Codonopsis pilosula and add 75 g of winter grass, 50 g of dandelion and 50 g of Ailanthus bark. For damp cases with cold, dry heat and remove cold, add 30 g of Angelica dahurica, 25 g of mugwort leaf, 50 g of prepared aconite and 20 g of cinnamon. For those with long-standing leukorrhea and kidney deficiency, remove Bupleurum and Plantago seed, and add 30 g of Chinese chive seed, 50 g of cuttlefish bone, 50 g of raspberry and 50 g of dodder seed. This prescription is suitable for acute and chronic vaginitis, cervicitis and acute and chronic endometritis.