Incidence, management and outcomes of uterine torsion in UK dairy cows

Uterine torsion is a commonly encountered form of dystocia attended by bovine practitioners worldwide. At a predominantly dairy practice in Somerset, UK, practitioners completed questionnaires over a two-year period to gain information pertaining to presentation, correction and subsequent obstetrical problems in Holstein Friesian cattle. Dam survival information was gathered through farm records or telephone conversations with the farmer. Seventy-three cases were attended representing 23% of all veterinary attended dystocias. For herds where data were available through use of milk recording organisations or the practice record bureau, the incidence of uterine torsion was 0.24% of all births (95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.14-0.35%). Overall, 93% of uterine torsions were corrected and after correction, 43% of cows had further obstetrical difficulties. Calves were successfully delivered from 96% of corrected torsions with 59% of calves born alive. Live calves occurred mostly when foetal membranes were intact at presentation to the clinician. Of those surviving parturition, the culling rate during the next lactation was 57% with infertility being responsible for 55% of culls. Although the condition is associated with a high dam survival rate, the high calf mortality and dam culling rate suggests further studies on risk factors are worthwhile to inform preventative measures.