Prevention of sow uterine inflammation

The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy of antibiotic preparations: 2.5% Cobactan, Metricure, and Clamoxyl® Metritis in the prevention of postpartum inflammation of the uterine. Before parturition, smears from the uterus cervix were taken from 56 sows and examined bacteriologically. Bacteriological examinations showed mixed microflora in 85.4% and pure cultures in 14.3% of the smears. The animals were divided into 4 equal groups immediately after parturition. Group I received 2.5% Cobactan (4ml/100kg) i. m. once daily for 2 consecutive days. Group II received 2.5% Cobactan (4ml/100kg) i. m. once daily, for 2 consecutive days and additionally a single intrauterine dose of Metricure. Group III received a single intrauterine dose of Clamoxyl® Metritis. Group IV was set to be a control, and all manipulations were limited to the observation of uterus involution. Samples from the cervix of the uterus were taken 4 - 5 days after repeated treatment. Treatment efficacy was determined by artificial insemination index after weaning, number of piglets born alive, and dead, mean weight of litter and piglets at weaning, and litter weight at weaning. After treatment, bacteriological examination of cervix samples showed that for group I in 50% cases pure cultures and in 50% - mixed cultures of bacteria were isolated. For group II, pure cultures of bacteria were isolated in 42.8% and mixed cultures in 14.3% of the samples. No microbial growth was evidenced in 42.9% of the samples. For group III, pure cultures were isolated in 37.1%, and mixed cultures in 21.4%. No growth was evidenced in 41.4% of the samples. For group IV, 14.3% of pure cultures and 85.7% of mixed cultures were isolated. After weaning, 1.5 semen doses for group I, 1.0 dose for groups II and III and 1.64 semen doses for group IV were used to obtain fertility. The number of piglets born alive and weight of piglets were approximately equal in all experimental groups and in control group, but mean weight of litter was higher in experimental groups, especially for groups II and III. It can be stated, that intrauterine treatment with antimicrobial preparations ensures the sterile environment during puerperal period. Histological investigations of culled sows confirmed uterine inflammatory processes in the control group.