CONTAGIOUS VAGINITIS IN COWS.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVI, Issue 4, 20 April 1923, Page 247

CONTAGIOUS VAGINITIS IN COWS.

W. C. BARRY,

M.R.C.V.S., Veterinarian, Auckland.

A large number of cases of contagious vaginitis among dairy .herds have come under notice of the Live-stock Division during the past season, and many inquiries relative to the trouble have been received. A short description of the condition, together with an outline of treatment, should therefore be useful, . especially to dairy-farmers. Vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina (passage leading to the womb), is sometimes referred to as “ vaginal catarrh.” The latter name, however, is not a good one, for the reason that a catarrhal discharge, although often present, is not a constant symptom of the trouble, and may arise from some abnormal condition of the uterus having no connection with the disease under consideration. Various organisms have been mentioned by' bacteriologists as giving rise to vaginitis, but so far as I am aware the specific cause is not yet determined. SYMPTOMS. Clinically the most important symptom of vaginitis is sterility, the cow not “ holding ” to the bull but returning again and again at irregular periods. In this respect, it is second only to abortion disease as a source of loss and inconvenience to the dairy-farmer. The cow, as a rule, presents no other - noticeable symptom beyond failure to hold. to the bull. Where this condition exists in herds in which no cases of abortion have occurred (recognizing abortion disease as a common cause of sterility) an examination of the vaginal passage should at once be made. This is done with the cow standing in the bail. The external lips of the passage (vulva) are retracted with the fingers and the condition of the interior noted. The healthy membrane, is of a rose-pink colour, with a smooth, glistening surface. When inflamed it presents a red, deeply congested appearance, while on the surface may be observed small elevations, often not larger than a pin-head, which feel to the finger like grains of shot under the membrane. Occasionally a small ulcerated patch may be seen, and very often flakes of a pus-like discharge are present. ’ The part is intensely irritated, and the cow generally resents the manipulation. According to the nature of the eruptions, “ vesicular,” " granular,” and “ nodular ” forms of the disease have been described, but for practical purposes of treatment these do not require differentiation. In making the examination the hindquarters of the cow should be exposed to a good light. If in a dark shed an electric torch is useful, as the condition may readily escape observation if looked for in a bad light. Vaginitis may assume either an acute or chronic character. The long-standing cases present the most difficulty in treatment. Adhesions occasionally form between the walls of the vaginal passage, and it is likely that in old cases the lining of the womb itself becomes involved. The desire for the male in affected cows appears to arise from the irritable condition set up, and is not the result of true “ bulling.”

We have seen cases of vaginitis existing in in-calf cows, and this point may explain (in some cases at any rate) the reason why a cow having conceived at the first service, takes the bull perhaps several times subsequently. Heifers are frequently affected, and where vaginitis is found to exist in a herd the heifers (if any) will usually be noticed to be the worst cases. The bull seldom escapes infection, but it is rarely that any symptoms noticeable to the casual observer are present. We have, however, seen during the past, season as many as six bulls showing marked swelling of the sheath and a slight discharge, from the preputial opening (it is sometimes referred to as balanitis in the bull), but, as before stated, those acute symptoms are exceptional. Unfortunately, the disease in the bull does not prevent his attentions to the cows, but tends rather to increase his activity in that direction.

METHOD OF SPREAD. Some cases appear, to arise'spontaneously, but it is most commonly spread by the bull. Having served an affected cow, and becoming himself infected, he is capable of transmitting it to every cow which he afterwards serves. It is also possible for a diseased cow standing in a bail to switch some infective discharge from her tail on to the hindquarter of her neighbour and so infect the latter. During treatment the tubing used in irrigating an affected cow must be disinfected before again using. The same applies to the hands and fingers of those making an examination. TREATMENT. x Cure is not difficult if the cases are observed early. Much harm is done through the condition not being recognized and strong antiseptic douches being used, which only tend to aggravate the already inflamed state of the membrane. The first essential in treatment is to remove the bull (if running with the herd), and to separate affected from healthy cows. Cows under treatment must be kept from the bull for a period of at least six weeks, otherwise treatment is useless. Limewashing and disinfection of the shed should be carried out. The vaginal passage of affected cows must be irrigated with mild antiseptic and astringent solutions ; strong antiseptics do more harm than good. The following solutions are recommended : Boric (boracic) acid, in the strength of two teaspoonfuls to a pint of water. Solution of ordinary salt in water (normal saline solution), made by dissolving one dram (teaspoonful) of ordinary salt in a pint of boiled water. Permanganate of potash, using one teaspoonful of the crystals to the gallon. Sulphocarbolate of zinc, in the strength of one teaspoonful in a quart of water. All water used in making any of the solutions must be first boiled, and used at blood-heat when irrigating. A quart of solution is sufficient to douche one cow. A piece of rubber tubing about 18 in. long, to which a funnel is attached, is the best means of introducing the fluid. There is no necessity to forcibly flush the passage by the

use of a strong syringe. After insertion into an affected cow the tubing should be placed for a few seconds in boiling water .before again using. For irrigating the bull’s sheath an ordinary bulb' enema syringe with vulcanite nozzle can be used. We have obtained the best results from the use of sulphocarbolate of zinc. The quantity mentioned (one teaspoonful in a quart of water) should be used to wash out the vaginal passage once daily. This must be continued for a fortnight. At the end of this time it is advisable to change the solution, going on to the permanganate for a week, and finishing up by a week’s use of the salt solution. It is found in practice that this plan of varying the solution used is useful. Experience also shows that one month’s treatment is usually necessary to cure the disease, and in bad cases even longer. However, with a little patience and intelligent care it will be found that vaginitis ■can be cleared out of the herd, whereas . neglect in • treatment may result in serious economic loss. i

Importation of Nauru Phosphate.— A statement of the importation of Nauru and Ocean Island phosphate into New Zealand - since the British Phosphate Commission took charge shows that there has. been a progressive increase in the shipments received, and that last year the Dominion imported practically 16 per cent, of the output, which is the amount of its quota under the agreement. Administration of Noxious Weeds Act. —At its last meeting the Board of Agriculture considered the question of County Councils taking a more active part in the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act, the Minister having expressed a wish to secure an expression of the Board's opinion thereon. A recommendation was framed on the lines of County Councils being enabled to administer the control of noxious weeds. I Economy in Afforestation. The last annual report of the State Forest Service states that experiments in more direct methods of planting in the Rotorua region plantations were successfully performed during the year. It was found that the substitution of notch planting’ for pitting (adopted experimentally over several hundred acres) will result in the lowering of establishment costs by 15s. per acre (a direct saving of at least £6,000 per annum in the annual North Island planting programme). A comparison of results indicates that the trees have succeeded as well, if not better, by the notching method than by pitting. This system is commended to private tree-planters. .The Sir James Wilson Prize. — Regulations governing this benefit- derived from a fund subscribed by the Farmers’ Union in commemoration of Sir James Wilson’s long and valuable services to the farming community in New Zealandhave been framed by the University Senate as follows : (1.) There shall be a prize to be called the Sir James G. Wilson Prize, of the value of about £5, to be given annually to the candidate who obtains the highest marks in the subject of agriculture in the examination for the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture. (2.) The prize shall be open to all candidates who are taking the course for the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture. (3.) The prize shall consist of books or instruments that are likely to be of service to candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Agriculture, and the books or instruments shall be selected by the winner and approved by the Chancellor. (4.) Every student intending to present himself for examination for the prize shall, not later than the Ist day of August preceding the examination, signify to the Registrar his intention to become a candidate for the prize. (5.) The prize shall not be awarded more than once to the same candidate.