Occurrence and Surgical Reconstruction of Perineal Lacerations and Rectovaginal Fistulae in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to throw light on the occurrence and surgical repair of perineal laceration (PL) and rectovaginal fistula (RVF) in dairy cows. A report of  10 Holstein–Frasian and Holstein dairy cattle, suffering a PL of second degree (2^nd PL; n=1) and third degree (3^rd PL; n= 6) as well as RVF (n=3). Surgical repair of the 2^nd PL and 3^rd PL was performed by a one-stage Goetz technique. While the repair of RVFs was performed either through a one-stage repair or vaginal approach. Healing of wounds, recovery and complications were recorded. 3^rd PL in 4 cows (67%) healed by first intention. Three of these cows subsequently became pregnant, while the fourth cow was culled. The laceration of the other two cows (33%) healed except for a small RVF in one cow. The other cow had a first degree perineal laceration (1^st PL) that healed without surgical intervention. Two fistulae healed completely and the affected cows became pregnant 2 months after surgery. The third cow with fistula showed persisted a 5-6 mm diameter rectovestibular fistula. Complete healing of  the case of 2^nd PL was occurring without complications. It could be concluded that, PL can occur mostly in primiparous cows with difficult assisted deliveries and that one stage repair of PL in cows substantially improves the perineal conformation. The RVF in cows could be corrected either through vaginal approach or a one-stage surgical repair. Breeding after surgical treatment of PL and RVF in dairy cows is advisable.