Partial budgeting assessment of the treatment of pyometra, follicular cysts and ovarian inactivity causing postpartum anoestrus in dairy cattle

A total of 412 multiparous German Holstein cows were screened for postpartum pyometra, follicular cysts and ovarian inactivity to assess economic and productivity losses in relation to pharmaceutical expenditures. Our results show that cows treated for pyometra with prostaglandin f2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and oxytetracycline had significantly (P < 0.05) greater total and net returns than untreated cows or those treated with PGF2 alpha + cephapirin or PGF2 alpha alone. Milk yields from untreated cows affected by follicular cysts were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the yields from cows treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)- and GnRH + PGF2 alpha In addition, the use of GnRH to treat cows with ovarian inactivity resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) lower costs and greater total and net return values compared to untreated controls. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.