Effects of metritis treatment strategies on health, behavior, reproductive, and productive responses of Holstein cows

Our objectives were to compare the effects of ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) and ampicillin trihydrate (AMP) treatments cows diagnosed with metritis on uterine health, behavior, reproductive, productive responses. A controlled randomized clinical trial was designed. Metritis defined as vaginal discharge (VD) = 5 (fetid, watery, red/brown) within 21 d in milk (DIM) rectal temperature (RT) <39.5°C, whereas VD RT ?39.5°C puerperal metritis. On day diagnosis (d 0), paired by parity severity (metritis vs. metritis) assigned randomly AMP CCFA treatments. Cows enrolled (n 308) treatment moved a nonsalable-milk pen, where they treated once daily for d, back their original pen 72 h after last 7). 310) remained received 2 CCFA, apart. Rectal measured from 0 6 11. Vaginal evaluated 4, 6, 11 assess cure. Cure absence additional antimicrobial before experiment 11, <5, <39.5°C. examined at 28 ± 3 DIM purulent (PVD) 35 cytological endometritis. Pregnancy 40 60 7 first second artificial inseminations. did not differ between (AMP 64.6 3.1, 63.5 3.1%). had greater 1 compared 39.1 0.02, 39.0 0.02°C). prevalence PVD 82.6 2.3, 74.4 2.7%) tended have endometritis 77.8 6.2 61.7 7.5%) than CCFA-treated cows. Treatment affect hazard pregnancy among multiparous cows; however, primiparous cows, reduced increased median days 145 169 d). Finally, average yield up 14 wk postpartum affected 38.0 0.4, 37.5 0.4 kg). We conclude current that more effective reducing improving health metritic improved is important warrants further investigation.