Archive Case #67: Bovine Toxic Metritis

Clinical Clues

1. A dairy cow is seen one week after calving because she is depressed and off her feed.
2. The farmer reports a sharp drop in milk yield and a fetid uterine discharge.
3. The cow is febrile, dehydrated, and has sunken eyes.
4. Rectal examination confirms an enlarged fluid-filled uterus.
5. The discharge is watery, red-brown, and malodorous.
6. Severe postpartum uterine infection with systemic illness is characteristic of toxic metritis in cattle.

Diagnosis

Bovine Toxic Metritis

This case is most consistent with Bovine Toxic Metritis because the cow is acutely ill after calving with fetid discharge, fever, and uterine enlargement. The most important clues are the postpartum timing and systemic toxaemia, which make simple retained membranes alone less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.