Abortion rate during the second half of gestation of cows undergoing surgery in lateral recumbency as compared with cows of a control population

In a retrospective study, we compared the abortion rates of 59 cows in the second half of gestation, admitted to the Clinic for FoodAnimals and Horses (1993-1996) with a strictly focal problem (head region, udder and teats,lo comotor system) requiring surgery in lateral recumbency, to the abortion ra te of a control cow population. Before surgery a uterus relaxant was given in 42 cases, and 17 cows were untreated as to pregnancy. Cows included in t he reproduction health program of the Department of Fertility and Reproduct ion were used as a control population. Data of 1,736 cows pregnant in the s econd half of gestation per year were available for the same time period (1 993-1996). Abortion rate was 5.08% for the cows undergoing surgery in later al recumbency as compared with 5.18% for the cows of the control population . There was no significant difference between the two populations (P > 0.05 ). Thus, the risk for abortion in the cows in question is not elevated as c ompared with the control population.