Treatment of Retained Fetal Membranes in Farm Animals: A Review

Retained Fetal Membranes (RFMs) represent the failure of the entire or partial placenta to be expelled within physiologic time limits. Although variation exists among species regarding the duration of time that must pass before a placenta is considered retained, the condition is one of the most common complications occurring in animals after parturition. A variety of risk factors, including early or induced parturition, dystocia, hormonal imbalances, and immunosuppression, can interrupt normal processes and result in retention of fetal membranes. Current research does not support the efficacy of many commonly practiced treatments for RFM. Systemic administration of antibiotics can be beneficial for treating metritis after RFM, but antibiotic administration has not been shown to significantly improve future reproduction in cows with Retained Fetal Membranes (RFM). Collagenase injected into the umbilical arteries of retained placentas specifically targets the lack of place to me proteolysis and might enhance placental release. However, such therapy is costly and its benefits in terms of improving subsequent reproductive function have not been evaluated.