• Retained fetal membranes (RFM) are a common condition of dairy cows.
• The hormonal processes that are involved in the normal placental separation at parturition is multifactorial and begin before parturition Placenta: normal development and physiology.
• Membranes are considered to be retained if they do not separate and detach during the third stage of parturition before 12 h post-parturition.
• Clinical signs generally include membranes protruding from the vulva post-calving or a foul smell present of the caudal end of a recently calved animal.
• There are many known predisposing factors for retention of fetal membranes and these include; dystocia Dystocia, abortion Abortion and stillbirths: overview, abnormal gestational length, heat stress, uterine inertia, fatty liver Ketosis and fatty liver, failure of placental maturation, twin births, negative energy balance, acetonemia, selenium/vitamin E deficiency and induction of parturition.
• Cows that develop RFM’s generally have impaired fertility, this may be as a result of further uterine pathology and inadequate timely management.
• RFM’s should not be attempted to be removed <96 h post-parturition.
• Prevention is through a thorough and systematic investigation of the known predisposing factors to identify the cause specific to the farm:
  • Short-term measures include blanket treatment with 30-40IU of oxytocin Oxytocin and/or Prostaglandin F₂α immediately after calving, however, there is limited data on the benefits for both these treatments.
  • Long term measures include ensuring cows have an adequate transition period: 3-4 weeks prior to calving. This would include a targeted complete transition diet to prepare the cows for lactation.

Uses

• Manual intervention to assisted removal of RFM >96 h post-parturition.

Advantages

• When carried out correctly in the appropriate candidate, it is an effective way of removing the RFM.
• An easy procedure to carry out.

Disadvantages

• If excessive traction is applied, uterine trauma can occur.

Technical problems

• The manual removal of the RFM should not be attempted until the membranes have detached from the caruncles (should be attempted >96 h post-parturition).
• If this is attempted when detachment has not occurred, there is a risk of uterine trauma which impairs the natural uterine and may predispose to uterine infection and reduced fertility.

Alternative techniques

• Administration of ecbolic agents immediately after parturition (oxytocin and Prostaglandin F2α).
• Antimicrobial treatment (indicated when uterine infection is present): usually associated with clinical signs of illness (pyrexia, reduced off milk production and anorexia).
• No treatment: leave the membranes to hang from the vulva and macerate over time and be expelled.
• Minimal treatments: cut the membranes off at the level of the vulva and allow the intrauterine portion of the membranes to macerate and be expelled over time.

Time required

Procedure

• 5 min.

Decision taking

Criteria for choosing test

• The membranes have been present for >96 h.
• The membranes have already spontaneously detached from the caruncles.

Risk assessment

• Duration of which the placenta has been retained.
• The health status of the cow.