VAGINITIS IN MANAWATU

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3918, 14 March 1929, Page 2

VAGINITIS IN MANAWATU

INVESTIGATION BY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

As a result of a report that Vaginitis was rife in the dairy herds of the Manawatu. Messrs J. Lyons, Director of the Life Stock Division, and W. C. Barry, District Superintendent, Wellington, visited the district this week to enquire into the trouble. Several farms were visited at Oroua Downs and Moutoa and deputations of dairy farmers interviewed.

In an interview with Mr. Lyons, a Manawatu Daily Times representative was informed that this trouble has, during the past few seasons received serious investigation by the Live Stock Division. The trouble is wide-spread in dairying districts throughout New Zealand, and other countries are also experiencing it and, like New Zealand, are prosecuting special research with a view to discover, if possible, the cause and remedy. The trouble is evidenced by cows failing to hold to the bull until, the season has far advanced, a condition which results in serious loss to the dairy farmer. In certain instances cows remain etovpty. It appears that several portions of the cow’s genital tract may be involved, and it is not possible to determine as yet which one or if all are exactly responsible.

The condition known, as Vaginitis has been largely blamed, but the opinion is now held that this in itself is not mainly responsible. Inflammatory conditions of the neck of the womb, the wornlb, itself, and affections oif the ovaries, are found on post-mortem examination, but as yet a definite cause for this has not been discovered. In some instances there has been reason to suspect so|me deficiency as a probable cause. Feeding experiments and medicinal treatment in this direction] have been carried out by the Department, hut the results so far are not promising. The hull as a possible factor in the trouble has also received attention, and there is reason to suspect the bull as a medium of spread from co,w to cow. Ponding further research and inquiry, and this is being actively pursued by specially delegated veterinary officers in Taranaki and the Waikato working in conjunction With the Veterinary Laboratory at Wallaeeville and field officers of the Live Stock Division, certain information is available and may be sum - marised as follows:

Indiscriminate washing-out of cows is to be discouraged, and this is only to he done in cases where specially advised, and then only with approved, non-irritating, antiseptic solutions. Dairy farmers must be particularly warned ag’ainst the use of certain preparations claimed as “cures for vaginitis” the use of which has frequently resulted in serious injury to the cows, said Mr. Lyons. It is the experience of those investigating the trouble that at present the course to follow, which leads to best results, is to enforce a rest on the affected cow by withholding service of the bull for one bulling period, It frequently follows that this rest (covering a period of six weeks) results in conception at the next service. This is found to be at least preferable to indiscriminate washing out.

The bull should never be allowed to run with the herd, but cows should be brought to Mm when ready. The bull’s sheath must be carefully washed with a suitable antiseptic after service of any suspected cow. The officers of the Department are emphatic in condemning the drastic treatment to which cows are so frequently subjected.