J. Dairy Sci. 2007. 90:3758-3763. doi:10.3168/jds.2007-0052
© 2007 American Dairy Science Association ®
Treatment of Acute Puerperal Metritis with Flunixin Meglumine in Addition to Antibiotic Treatment
M. Drillich1,
D. Voigt,
D. Forderung and
W. Heuwieser
Clinic for Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, 14163, Germany
1 Corresponding author: author{at}bestandsbetreuung.de
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ABSTRACT
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The objective of this field trial was to evaluate effects of a single administration of 2.2 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of flunixin meglumine (FM) in addition to a systemic antibiotic treatment in cows with acute puerperal metritis (APM). Outcome variables tested were proportion of cows with a fever, prevalence of chronic endometritis 18 to 22 and 32 to 35 d in milk (DIM), and reproductive performance measures in the current lactation. In addition, serum concentrations of haptoglobin and fibrinogen were analyzed. Daily milk yield within 6 d after the first treatment was recorded. Cows were examined 4 to 5 DIM by rectal palpation and vaginoscopy, and rectal temperature was measured. Fetid vulvar discharge and a body temperature 
39.5°C were signs of APM. Cows with APM were treated in the reference group with 1.0 mg/kg of BW of ceftiofur on 3 to 5 consecutive days (CEF, n = 119). In the study group, cows received the same antibiotic treatment as in CEF and 2.2 mg/kg of BW of FM on treatment d 1 (CEF + FM, n = 119). Blood samples were collected 4, 6, and 10 DIM and analyzed for concentrations of haptoglobin and fibrinogen. A group of cows without APM remained untreated and served as controls (n = 9). There were no significant differences between CEF and CEF + FM in the proportion of cows with fever 1 d after the first treatment (33.6 vs. 46.2%), milk yield per milking 10 DIM (7.5 ± 0.3 vs. 7.6 ± 0.3 kg in primiparous, 9.6 ± 0.4 vs. 10.6 ± 0.4 kg in multiparous cows), prevalence of chronic endometritis 32 to 35 DIM (64.3 vs. 52.2%), and in reproductive performance (31.5 vs. 34.3% conception to first AI, 58.0 vs. 54.6% pregnancy rate, 107.8 ± 36.9 vs. 101.6 ± 41.4 d open). Compared with the control, CEF and CEF + FM had significantly greater concentrations of haptoglobin (1.1 ± 0.28 vs. 1.9 ± 0.06 and 1.8 ± 0.07 mg/mL at 4 DIM; 0.3 ± 0.15 vs. 1.1 ± 0.06 and 1.2 ± 0.07 mg/mL at 10 DIM) and fibrinogen (2.2 ± 0.17 vs. 3.9 ± 0.14 and 3.7 ± 0.13 g/L at 4 DIM; 1.9 ± 0.1 vs. 2.6 ± 0.1 and 3.0 ± 0.13 g/L, respectively, at 10 DIM) on all test days. The additional treatment with FM had no effect on these acute phase proteins. In conclusion, the single administration of 2.2 mg/kg of BW of FM in addition to a systemic antibiotic treatment of cows having APM did not result in beneficial effects on clinical cure, milk yield within 6 d after the first treatment, or reproductive performance.
Key Words: acute puerperal metritis • flunixin meglumine • haptoglobin • fibrinogen
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INTRODUCTION
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Acute puerperal metritis (APM), which is also called postpartum metritis, toxic puerperal metritis, or septic metritis, occurs within the first 10 d after parturition. It is characterized by fetid, watery, and reddish-brown to purulent vulvar discharge and fever 39.5°C (Sheldon et al., 2006). Body temperature that can be regarded as fever varies from 39.2°C (Smith et al., 1998) to 39.5°C (Stevens et al., 1995; Drillich et al., 2001, 2003) and 39.7°C (Dinsmore et al., 1996; Sheldon et al., 2006). The palpation of the uterus per rectum reveals an enlarged and flaccid uterus.
The treatment of APM is based on the local or systemic use of antibiotics. The use of a systemic antibiotic treatment with ceftiofur (CEF) has been reported in several studies (Smith et al., 1998; Drillich et al., 2001; Zhou et al., 2001). In addition to antibiotics, treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) has been discussed (Odensvik and Fredriksson, 1993). Amiridis et al. (2001) treated 128 cows with puerperal metritis 5 to 8 d after calving with 2.2 mg/kg of BW of flunixin meglumine (FM) intravenously. On the first 2 d of treatment, cows received FM twice daily, on the subsequent 2 d, once daily. Compared with 131 saline-treated control cows, treatment with FM accelerated the uterine involution and shortened the calving-to-first-estrus interval. In contrast, Königsson et al. (2001) did not find an effect of FM on uterine involution or recovery from uterine infection. Data on reproductive performance were not given. In that study, FM was administered orally, twice daily on d 3 to 6 or 11 to 14 postpartum.
Acute phase proteins have been suggested as a physiological response on trauma or infection to prevent tissue damage, to destroy bacteria, and to activate repair processes (Baumann and Gauldie, 1994). Haptoglobin (Hp) and fibrinogen (Fb), 2 acute phase proteins, were reported as indicators for acute inflammatory processes in cattle (Alsemgeest et al., 1994; Hirvonen et al., 1999; Schonfelder et al., 2005). In a study using calves, Hp concentration increased 24 h after artificial infection, with a peak at 72 h (Cheryk et al., 1998). Schonfelder et al. (2005) demonstrated increasing Hp concentrations in cows with caesarean section compared with normal deliveries after 5 d postpartum. In cows with caesarean section after uterine torsion, Hp was significantly increased before surgery. Smith et al. (1998) found decreasing Hp concentrations in cows with toxic puerperal metritis from 13.4 to 20.0 mg/dL at d 1 to 4.25 to 9.79 mg/dL at d 5 after 3 different antibiotic treatment regimes. The decrease of acute phase proteins in serum within 4 wk after calving was demonstrated by Sheldon et al. (2001).
The objective of this field trial was to evaluate effects of a single administration of 2.2 mg/kg of BW of FM in addition to a systemic antibiotic treatment in cows with APM. Clinical postpartum measures (body temperature, Hp and Fb concentrations, daily milk yield, prevalence of chronic endometritis 18 to 22 and 32 to 35 DIM) and reproductive performance in the current lactation were compared between APM cows that did or did not receive FM.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
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The study was conducted from March 2001 to May 2002 on a dairy farm in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The participating farmer and the local veterinarian were informed about all relevant characteristics of the study and agreed with the study design. For the study, an experimental test permit was obtained from responsible local authorities.
A total of 1,000 Holstein cows were housed in free-stall barns with rubber mats and slotted floors. Approximately 7 d before expected calving, cows were housed in a free-stall barn with straw bedding. Cows were milked 3 times daily in a rotary parlor with 42 stalls. Herd average milk yield was 9,000 kg per lactation.
All cows were examined 4 to 5 d postpartum for signs of APM. The examination included an evaluation of the general condition of the cow, rectal temperature, vaginal inspection via speculum, and examination of the uterus per rectal palpation. Cows having fetid, reddish-brown, watery vulval discharge in combination with a rectal temperature 39.5°C (fever) were characterized as having APM. Day of examination was defined as d 0.
Cows with APM were assigned in an alternating order to groups. In group 1, cows received a systemic antibiotic treatment of 1 mg/kg of BW of CEF (Excenel RTU, Pfizer Animal Health, Karlsruhe, Germany) administered systemically on 3 consecutive days (d 0, d 1, d 2). Cows with a fever on d 3 received 1 mg/kg of BW of CEF for 2 additional days. In the case of a fever after 5 d of treatment with CEF, cows received an escape therapy (i.e., a different systemic antibiotic chosen by the local veterinarian). Group 2 cows received the antibiotic treatment regimen as described for CEF cows. In addition, all CEF + FM cows received 1 single intravenous treatment with 2.2 mg/kg of BW of FM (Finadyne, Essex Tierarznei, Munich, Germany) on d 0. In both groups, rectal temperature was measured for 7 d after enrollment.
In Germany, FM is approved in a dosage of 2.2 mg/kg of BW for the treatment of acute pneumonia in cattle (Friton et al., 2004). Thus, the treatment of APM with FM is regarded as extra label drug use. Cows that received antiinflammatory or antibiotic drugs for purposes not related to the study (e.g., acute mastitis) were excluded from the trial. Considering the potentially life-threatening character of toxic puerperal metritis (Eiler, 1997), no untreated APM cows were included as controls.
Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein on d 0, 2, and 6 from CEF and CEF + FM cows and from cows without APM (control group). For the analysis of Hp and Fb, blood was collected into EDTA- and citrate-coated tubes, respectively. Thereafter, samples were centrifuged at 3,500 x g for 15 min. Plasma was stored at –20°C in 2 aliquots of 2 to 3 mL each until analysis. Haptoglobin was measured by PhaseRange Haptoglobin Assay (BioRepair, Sinsheim, Germany) and analyzed by photometric extinction. Fibrinogen was quantified with a coagulometer (Biomatic 2000, Dade Behring, Eschborn, Germany).
All APM cows were examined from 18 to 24 DIM and again from 32 to 38 DIM by rectal palpation of the uterus and by vaginoscopy for (muco-)purulent vaginal discharge as a sign of chronic endometritis. After each examination, all cows were treated with 25 mg of PGF2
intramuscularly (Dinolytic, Pfizer Animal Health) to support the involution of the uterus (Nakao et al., 1997). All treatments were documented on case report forms, which remained on farm to ensure that all cows received the correct treatments each day. At the end of the study, case report forms were checked for compliance and plausibility of the data. Cows with incomplete treatments or other deviations from the treatment protocol were retrospectively deleted.
For all cows, the voluntary waiting period was set at 60 DIM. Cows observed in estrus were AI. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by an experienced AI technician from 42 to 49 d after AI. Cows not inseminated by 80 DIM or identified as not pregnant were examined by vaginoscopy and rectal palpation of the uterus and the ovaries for abnormalities and treated according to the diagnosis. Cows with a palpable corpus luteum received PGF2 to induce estrus. No timed breeding protocols were used.
Reproductive performance was characterized by days to first AI, days to pregnancy (days open), conception to first AI, total conception to AI (number of cows pregnant divided by total number of inseminations x 100), pregnancy rate (number of cows pregnant by 200 DIM divided by number of cows enrolled x 100), and cows culled. Cows not pregnant by 200 DIM were regarded as open even if they remained in the herd and conceived later in lactation.
Statistical Analyses
Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows (Version 12.0, SPSS Inc. Munich, Germany). Proportions of cows with a fever and with chronic endometritis, as well as conception rates and proportions of cows inseminated, pregnant, and culled were compared between treatments (CEF vs. CEF + FM) by using 
2 analyses. Days to first service and days open were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. Survival analysis for days to culling was performed by using Cox-regression, censoring cows that were not culled. For survival analysis, treatment group (CEF, CEF + FM) and parity (multiparous, primiparous) were included as covariates.
Haptoglobin and Fb concentrations at d 0, 2, and 6 as well as milk yield from d 0 to d 6 were compared in a general linear model for repeated measurements. For analysis of Hp and Fb, group (CEF, CEF + FM, control), and for milk yield, group (CEF, CEF + FM) and parity (primiparous, multiparous) were fixed factors in the analyses. Level of significance for all statistical analyses was = 0.05.
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RESULTS
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APM, Chronic Endometritis
A total of 1,299 cows and heifers were calved during the study period. The prevalence of APM at d 0 was 18.3%. In groups CEF (n = 119) and CEF + FM (n = 119), the proportion of primiparous cows was 54.6 and 51.3%, respectively. The proportion of cows having retained placenta was 21.8 and 24.4% in CEF and CEF + FM, respectively.
Table 1
presents clinical traits for CEF and CEF + FM cows. No differences were found between the groups for the proportion of cows with a fever at d 1, 3, and 6 and for the proportion of cows with chronic endometritis 18 to 22 DIM and 32 to 35 DIM (P > 0.05).
Hp and Fb
The general linear model revealed that Hp and Fb concentrations were greater in CEF and CEF + FM than in the control (P < 0.05). No differences were found between CEF and CEF + FM (P > 0.05). In all groups, a significant decrease in Hp and Fb concentrations was found from d 0 to d 6 (P < 0.05). Parity did not influence Hp or Fb concentrations (P > 0.05).
Concentrations of Hp and Fb at d 0, 2, and 6 are presented in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. Mean Hp concentration at d 0 was 1.9 ± 0.06, 1.8 ± 0.07, and 1.1 ± 0.28 mg/mL in CEF, CEF + FM, and control, respectively. In all groups, Hp concentrations were less at d 6 (1.1 ± 0.06, 1.2 ± 0.07, and 0.3 ± 0.15 mg/mL in CEF, CEF + FM, and control, respectively). Mean Fb concentration at d 0 was 3.9 ± 0.14, 3.7 ± 0.13, and 2.2 ± 0.17 g/L in CEF, CEF + FM, and control, respectively. Fibrinogen concentrations were less at d 6 in all groups (2.6 ± 0.1, 3.0 ± 0.13, and 1.9 ± 0.1 g/L in CEF, CEF + FM, and control, respectively).
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Figure 1. Concentrations of haptoglobin in plasma (mg/mL) in CEF (light-shaded boxplot, n = 117), CEF + FM (white boxplot, n = 118), and control (dark-shaded boxplot, n = 9) at d 0, 2, and 6. CEF = cows with acute puerperal metritis treated with 1 mg/kg of BW of ceftiofur once daily for 3 consecutive days. When fever was present after 3 d, treatment was continued for 2 more days; CEF + FM = cows with acute puerperal metritis treated with 1 mg/kg of BW of ceftiofur for 3 to 5 consecutive days and 2.2 mg/kg of BW of flunixin meglumine at d 1. o = outliers; * = extremes.
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Figure 2. Concentrations of fibrinogen in plasma (g/L) in CEF (light-shaded boxplot, n = 117), CEF + FM (white boxplot, n = 118), and control (dark-shaded boxplot, n = 9) at d 0, 2, and 6. CEF = cows with acute puerperal metritis treated with 1 mg/kg of BW of ceftiofur once daily for 3 consecutive days. When fever was present after 3 d, treatment was continued for 2 more days; CEF + FM = cows with acute puerperal metritis treated with 1 mg/kg of BW of ceftiofur for 3 to 5 consecutive days and 2.2 mg/kg of BW of flunixin meglumine at d 1. o = outliers; * = extremes.
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Reproductive Performance
Table 2 shows reproductive performance traits of CEF and CEF + FM cows. No differences were found between the groups for any of the calculated traits (P > 0.05). Cox regression revealed no effect of treatment group on the hazard ratio (HR) of culling (P > 0.05, HR = 1.45, 95% confidence interval = 0.82 to 2.55). Multiparous cows showed a tendency toward a greater hazard for culling than primiparous cows (P = 0.053, HR = 1.76, 95% confidence interval = 0.99 to 3.11).
Milk Yield
Complete milk yield data from d 0 to 6 were obtained from 115 CEF and 115 CEF + FM cows. In primiparous cows, milk yield increased from 5.8 ± 0.3 kg and 5.7 ± 0.3 kg per milking at d 0 to 7.5 ± 0.3 and 7.6 ± 0.3 kg per milking at d 6 in CEF and CEF + FM, respectively. In multiparous cows, milk yield increased from 8.0 ± 0.3 and 8.6 ± 0.4 kg per milking at d 0 to 9.6 ± 0.4 and 10.6 ± 0.4 kg per milking at d 6 in CEF and CEF + FM, respectively. Milk yield per milking was influenced by parity (P < 0.05) but not by treatment group (P > 0.05).
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DISCUSSION
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The rationale for the treatment of APM with FM was the hypothesis that the antiinflammatory potency of NSAID improves clinical cure. Improved cure rates should result in higher milk yield and increased reproductive performance. The results of our study reject this hypothesis for the treatment of APM with a single administration of 2.2 mg/kg BW of FM. Clinical measures (temperature, prevalence of chronic endometritis) and concentrations of acute phase proteins did not result in differences between CEF + FM and CEF. Thus, differences in reproductive performance were not expected and were not found. This is evident only for a single administration of FM. Whether a repeated treatment (e.g., for 3 d or multiple per day) would be beneficial to the course of the inflammation and clinical cure needs further investigation. Survival analysis did not reveal any effect of treatment on the hazard of culling. Yet, a noticeable increase in the proportion of cows culled in CEF was found near 20 DIM. Reasons for culling within 20 DIM showed a large variation (data not shown). Furthermore, because of the limited number of cows, this difference should not be overinterpreted. Milk yield was lower in cows with acute metritis (Montes and Pugh, 1993; Smith et al., 1998), dystocia, and assisted calving (Tenhagen et al., 1999). For cows with retention of the fetal membranes, another predisposing factor for APM, the effect on milk yield is controversial (Rajala and Gröhn, 1998). Compared with group CEF, cows in group CEF + FM did not benefit from an additional treatment with FM in milk production within 6 d after the first treatment. Unfortunately, no milk yield data of control cows were available. Thus, long-term effects on milk yield beyond 6 d of the treatment with FM are pure speculation.
The differences in Hp and Fb concentrations in cows with and without APM (CEF, CEF + FM vs. control) confirm findings of other studies, demonstrating that the acute phase proteins are valuable indicators for acute inflammatory processes (Alsemgeest et al., 1994; Smith et al., 1998; Schonfelder et al., 2005). Elevated Hp and Fb concentrations at d 0 in control cows can be explained by mild inflammatory processes occurring physiologically during parturition. Schonfelder et al. (2005) found an increase in Hp from 0.009 to 0.8 mg/mL from calving to d 10 in cows with spontaneous delivery and from 0.1 to 1.8 mg/mL in cows with caesarean section. In our study, mean Hp concentration in groups CEF and CEF + FM during the first 10 d after calving was in the range of cows with caesarean section, whereas Hp in control cows were comparable to cows with spontaneous parturition in the cited study. As in the study by Smith et al. (1998), concentrations of Hp decreased in APM cows after an antibiotic treatment. Concentrations of Hp and Fb decreased in CEF, CEF + FM, and in control cows. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that the decrease in concentrations of Hp and Fb in APM cows was an effect of the antibiotic treatment. The additional treatment with FM did not show any additional beneficial effects.
Because of the life-threatening character of APM, the owner of the commercial dairy farm refused to include an untreated control group (i.e., not treated with antibiotics). Therefore, further study is needed to determine if the systemic antibiotic treatment, which has been described in several studies on APM (Smith et al., 1998; Drillich et al., 2001, 2006), has concealed possible positive effects of the antiinflammatory treatment.
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CONCLUSION
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The rationale for the treatment with FM was the hypothesis that NSAID should restrict inflammatory processes in the uterine wall, followed by improved cure rates and increased reproductive performance. The results of our study clearly reject this hypothesis. Further research is required to evaluate the effect of different treatment regimes with NSAID (e.g., prolonged treatment or long-acting NSAID) on clinical cure rates and reproductive performance of cows with APM.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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We acknowledge the cooperation with Essex Tierarznei, Munich, Germany.
Received for publication January 24, 2007.
Accepted for publication April 11, 2007.
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ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
