What does a vaginal prolapse look like in a cow?

A uterine prolapse can occur directly after the cow calves. The vaginal prolapse is more common and looks like a pink mass of tissue about the size of a large grapefruit or volleyball. Mild prolapses (a bulge the size of an orange or grapefruit) will usually go back in when the cow gets up.

How long does it take for cow to pass afterbirth?

Most cows will pass the afterbirth (placenta, cleansing or calf bed) within 6 hours of calving. Some cows take up to 24 hours. If the placenta is retained longer than this, the condition is classified as retained placenta or retained fetal membranes (RFM).

Can you butcher a prolapsed cow?

If they subsequently rebreed and become pregnant, there is no reason to cull animals suffering uterine prolapse after calving. That’s because a uterine prolapse is not likely to reoccur. Some, however, may suffer uterine damage or infection that prevents conception and should therefore be culled.

What causes prolapse in beef cattle?

Vaginal prolapses occur most commonly in heavily pregnant beef cows. They are associated with increased pressure in the abdomen of these cows. Fat cows are more prone to the problem because fat increases the pressure in the abdomen. Rations that create very full abdomens also increase the risk.

Can a uterine prolapse be culled from a cow?

Unlike a vaginal prolapse, uterine prolapses are not hereditary in nature. This means that a cow does not necessarily need to be culled based on a uterine prolapse alone. While this article makes prolapses seem cut and dry, that is not always the case.

Do you have to replace the suture on a prolapsed cow?

Following calving the suture must be replaced as recurrence of the prolapse after calving is a possibility. Longer term, most cattle that have prolapsed should not be used for breeding.

When to treat a heifer with a prolapse?

For this reason, the best prevention of a uterine prolapse is early intervention when a heifer or cow is having difficulty calving. Uterine prolapses are an emergency and need to be addressed by a veterinarian as soon as possible. With the uterus out, tension is placed on the large uterine vessels.

When to give veterinary attention to a prolapsed cow?

Veterinary attention should always be given the same day a prolapse is observed. If prolapses are not replaced their condition quickly deteriorates. Tissues swell, dry, get sunburned or frozen and may be torn against structures or damaged by other cattle.

What does a prolapse look like in a cow?

A uterine prolapse can occur directly after the cow calves. The vaginal prolapse is more common and looks like a pink mass of tissue about the size of a large grapefruit or volleyball. Prolapse of the uterus is a larger, longer mass, more deep red and covered with the “buttons” on which the placenta attached.

Can a cow die from a uterine prolapse?

Prolapses, if not treated at the appropriate time, can lead to death. This makes knowing which type of prolapse your cow has and how soon it needs to be fixed critical. The most problematic type of prolapse a cow can have is a uterine prolapse. These only occur after calving, usually in conjunction with or within a few hours after.

Can a cow prolapse through a purse string?

The most secure stitch, a purse-string pattern, does not allow a cow to calve through opening. This means another, less secure method is often used. However, a less secure method can break if the cow continues to push, causing the prolapse to reoccur.