COMBINED USE OF PROBIOTICS AND HERBAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF UTERINE DISEASES IN COWS

This study investigated the effectiveness of combining probiotic and herbal preparations with conventional treatment for uterine diseases in cows. Uterine diseases, including endometritis, metritis, and other inflammatory conditions of the reproductive tract, are major contributors to impaired reproductive performance in cattle. The objective of this preliminary pilot study was to assess changes in the clinical condition of cows when conventional antibacterial treatment was supplemented with an intrauterine probiotic herbal suppository. Twelve cows were allocated to control and treatment groups, with six animals in each group. The control group received ceftiofur hydrochloride and Iodopen, whereas the treatment group received an additional probiotic herbal suppository containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium bifidum, together with chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and burdock (Arctium lappa) extracts, alongside comparable treatment. Assessments included general clinical and gynecological examinations, characterization of genital discharge, rectal and ultrasonographic evaluation of the uterus, and time to clinical recovery. In the treatment group, abnormal discharge decreased on days 2–3 and ceased on days 4–5; complete uterine involution was observed at approximately days 6–7, and clinical recovery occurred within 6–8 days, compared with 10–12 days in the control group. These preliminary findings suggest a potential benefit of the combined treatment regimen. However, no microbiological examination of the uterus was performed; therefore, a possible contribution to maintaining local microbial balance cannot be regarded as a directly demonstrated outcome. Further studies with larger samples and direct microbiological assessment are required.