Today I was called out to 2 cleansings with the vet.
A cleansing is when the cow has not passed all the afterbirth and material from the uterus which is not needed after the birth of the calf. I was told that they usually only have to be done when the calving has been difficult, for example when the calf has had to be helped out or if it was delivered backwards.
If the cow has only been delivered a day, then any material can be removed, but, if it has been delivered any longer than this then any cleansing left, is left in the uterus and will pass out eventually.
On examination the vet found that there was limited material left but that the discharge was red-brown and smelt horrific. This meant that there was the severe risk of infection. The vet also found that the cervix was open. The advantage of this is that it allows any unneeded material to be expelled from the uterus.
A Metacam injection was given as well as penicillin. 10ml of Marbocyl was injected, and this will help to combat vaginitis, which is inflammation of the vagina.
Also 20ml of Combivit was administered, which is a vitamin supplement containing many of the vitamins that the cow will need to remain healthy.
The cow was on the verge of becoming toxic and so the vet asked that the farmer kept an eye on the animal and contact him if there was no improvement. He also suggested Prorumen, which is a drug which will allow the rumen to function well, and improve appetite etc.

The second cleansing was very different. This animal was, on inspection having no problems and the cervix was almost closed. The little cleansing that was able to be removed, was bright red and did not smell of anything which is a sign that there was no infection and that the animal was healthy, as opposed to the red-brow discharge which was seen in the previous case.
This particular cow had given birth by Cesarean Section which is why there was the worry that she might need cleansed. The vet examined the wound, and although the area was swollen around the incision, the stitches were holding nicely and the wound was beginning to clearly close up, which is good news.

I was told that the reason that we do not put cows under general anaesthetic is that their anatomy is such that the organs would press down on the heart and lungs when on its back, so that the risk is extremely high that the cow will die of asphyxiation. For this reason, we lower the risk by carrying out a Cesarean with the cow standing, with a incision made down the flank. This is MUCH safer for the animal, but does mean that doses are controlled and the animal is sedated enough to be comfortable.