Bovine Granular Vulvitis Associated with Ureaplasma Infection

Abstract

A granular vulvitis syndrome associated with ureaplasma infection was first recognized in Ontario dairy herds in 1972.

The acute form of the disease was characterized by a purulent vulvar discharge, an inflamed hyperemic vulvar mucosa and varying degrees of granularity. In the chronic form, there was an absence of a purulent discharge and a gradual decline in the severity of the hyperemia and granularity. Epithelial inclusion cysts were observed in the vulvar epithelium of approximately 10% of affected cows.

A seasonal variation in the incidence of the disease was observed. Herd morbidities during the summer months reached a low of 37% and increased to 75% during the winter months with constant housing.

When widespread in herds, the acute form of the disease had a significant effect on fertility. In four herds examined, first service conceptions dropped on average by 27%.

The chronic form of the disease had a less detrimental effect on fertility with first service conceptions being reduced on average by 13%.

Intrauterine infusions of a tetracycline 24 hours postbreeding were found to be of value in improving conception rates in acutely affected herds.

Full text

PDF

• 89
• 90
• 91
• 92
• 93
• 94
• Next

Images in this article

Figure 1.
on p.90

Figure 2.
on p.91

Figure 3.
on p.92

Figure 4.
on p.93

Figure 5.
on p.93