Understanding Abortion in Dairy Cows: Causes and Timing

Did you know that abortions in dairy cows can be caused by a variety of factors? Here are some key points:

Causes:

1. Infectious Diseases: Bacterial infections like trichomoniasis, leptospirosis, and viral infections such as Bovine Viral Diarrhea can lead to abortions.

2. Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins (A and E), selenium, and iron can cause abortions.

3. Heat Stress: High environmental temperatures can lead to fetal hypotension and hypoxia.

4. Toxins: Ingestion of toxic substances like nitrates (A good example Potato fruits), aflatoxins, and certain plants (e.g., Ponderosa pine needles) can result in abortions.

5. Genetic Abnormalities: Some genetic factors can cause early embryonic death or abortion.

Timing:

– Abortions can occur between 42 days and 260 days of pregnancy.

– Losses before 42 days are usually considered early embryonic deaths (EEDs), while those after 260 days are termed stillbirths.

Here’s a classification of the causes of abortions in dairy cows based on their timing:

Early Abortions (First Trimester 1 to 3 months):

Infectious Diseases: Such as leptospirosis, trichomoniasis.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Especially vitamins A, E, and minerals like selenium.

Genetic Abnormalities: Inherited issues causing embryonic death.

Toxins: Exposure to toxic plants or substances early in pregnancy.

Mid-Term Abortions (Second Trimester 3 to 6 months):

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD): Often leads to abortions mid-pregnancy.

Brucellosis (Occurs 5 to 7 months)

Environmental Stress: Heat stress or severe weather conditions.

Management Practices.

Late Abortions (Third Trimester 6 to 9 months):

Infectious Diseases: Brucellosis often causes late-term abortions.

Physical Trauma: Injuries or mishandling.

Toxins: Certain plant toxins ingested late in pregnancy (e.g., Ponderosa pine needles).

Mismanagement during this critical growing period take preventive measures and ensure the health of their herd.

Prevention and Treatment

To correct nutritional deficiencies like protein and trace elements supplements, provide your cow with our strategic supplements for example Booster+. To learn more, please click here.
Artificial insemination with proper hygiene standards is a key method of preventing contraction of infectious diseases like brucellosis and trichomoniasis. Avoid handmating or use of bulls for insemination.
In the unfortunate case where infection has occured and there is repeat breeding or conception failure or abortion, ensure that the cow is treated promptly. The most common techniques include uterine irrigation. Contact your veterinarian for diagnosis, treatment and advice on the way forward.