UTERINE TORSION IN 3 POSTPARTURIENT DAIRY-COWS

Uterine torsion is a common cause of dystocia in dairy cows, but rarel y is observed in the postpartum period. Detailed clinical descriptions of cows with postparturient uterine torsion are not available. The au thors diagnosed uterine torsion in three postparturient dairy cows. In one, uterine torsion of 180 degrees was diagnosed 5 days after nonsur gical correction of preparturient uterine torsion, and 3 days after de livery of a single dead calf. In the others, uterine torsions of appro ximately 150 degrees and 135 degrees were diagnosed approximately 2 we eks after delivery of twin calves. All three cows had concurrent intra uterine infection. Postparturient uterine torsion was obvious by palpa tion per rectum or vaginum in only one cow. Definitive diagnosis was m ade during exploratory laparotomy in the others. The cows improved cli nically and uterine involution proceeded uneventfully after correction of the torsion and treatment of intrauterine infection. The etiopatho genesis of bovine uterine torsion is reviewed, and possible predisposi ng factors for its occurrence in postparturient cows are discussed.