8. Reproductive herd health programmes

8.1 Identification and history
8.2 Clinical examination
8.3 Rectal examination
8.4 Treatment

Reproductive herd health programmes are necessary to achieve and maintain the reproductive efficiency of cattle and hence boost the income from them. Such programmes consist of visits every 2 weeks or a month by a veterinarian to farms or cows. Where the number of cows owned by individual farmers or herders is small, groups of farmers can assemble their animals in one place to make fullest use of the veterinarian's visits. During his or her visits, the veterinarian should examine:

· cows that calved in the last 15 to 45 days (postpartum examination) for normal recovery;

· cows bred within the last 35 to 60 days (pregnancy diagnosis);

· cows that have not shown oestrus at the expected time or those that have been served but failed to settle;

· cows and heifers known to have reproductive abnormalities, infections and other causes of infertility; and

· bulls used for natural service to determine their breeding soundness. Each visit should have four "phases": identification and history, clinical examination, rectal examination and treatment.

8.1 Identification and history

Animal records should include the cow number or other means of identification, and its origin, breed, age, weight, body condition score, parity, date and ease of last calving, pueperium, lactation, nutrition management, housing, dates of heat and last service, and type of service (artificial insemination or natural), with details of the bull or semen used. Comments about sexual behaviour may be added if available. All records should be organised on a well planned, individual animal record card. An example is shown in Figure 14.

8.2 Clinical examination

After identifying the animal it should be clinically examined. In particular, the external genital system should be examined; observations should include the size, position and shape of the vulva, and the presence and type of any discharges and crusts. Ideally the vagina should be examined using a speculum and a light for discharges (their amount and origins), degree of closure (pneumo-vagina), mucosal lacerations and cervicitis. All equipment used should be properly cleaned between animals.

8.3 Rectal examination

A disposable glove, or one that can be washed after use, should be used. This protects both the cow and the veterinarian. Examination generally starts with the cervix. The uterine body, the bifurcation and both uterine horns should then be checked for symmetry, tone, pregnancy or abnormal contents. The ovaries should be carefully palpated for the presence and size of normal follicles, corpora lutea or abnormal structures. If possible, the ovarian bursae should be examined for adhesions; the oviducts should be examined for abnormal contents, growths and septum formation. For accuracy, the examination should be repeated soon after and all findings entered on the animal's card.

Figure 14. Example of an individual cow card for gynaecological examinations

Cow Name __________________ or Number______________			Birth date	Dam	Sire
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLES
FIRST CYCLE			SECOND CYCLE			THIRD CYCLE
Date	Findings	Code	Date	Findings	Code	Date	Findings	Code

KEY
Code		Findings		Findings
NC	Normal calving	R	Right	H	Horn
AC	Abnormal calving	L	Left	N	Normal
RE	Rectal examination	O	Ovary	T	Tone
T	Treated	F	Follicle	G	Good
Al	Artificial insemination	OD	Ovulation depression	F	Flabby
BS	Bull service	CH	Corpus haemorrhagium	E	Oedema
NB	Not bred	CL	Corpus luteum	C	Cervix
P	Pregnant	I	Inactive/static	V	Vagina
E	Oestrus	U	Uterus	P	Pus

Remark: Each cycle starts with the first heat among heifers and calving for cows.

8.4 Treatment

Pathological conditions found during the examination should be treated, if possible. Treatments for most reproductive disorders are discussed in other chapters of this book. However, many reproductive problems can be avoided by using good management practices, and farmers should be advised of these. Therapeutic interventions are no substitute for sound management and husbandry.