A:   Retained placenta is rare in most cow herds. The placenta is retained when the cotyledons on the placenta do not detatch from the caruncles on the uterus during parturition. This can occur during difficult births (dystocia) in beef cattle. Also, when cows are induced to calve, you will see a higher incidence of retained placenta in the induced cows.

Retained placeta can be assoicated with nutrition, in particular, low vitamin A or with the mineral selenium. If this is common in your herd, I would suggest that you start addressing the problem with vitamin A and checking on the amount of selenium in the ration. If this doesn't help, then I would contact your veterarian because some retained placenta can be associated with reproductive diseases.

Treatment is indicated if the placenta doesn't fall out after 24 hours. Remove only the membranes that will come out easily. Don't pull hard! Contact your veterinarian, but, treatment typically includes terramycin uterine boluses, an intramuscular shot of penicillin or terramycin, and an injection of prostaglandin or estrogen.