It is common for the vagina and the vulva to be injured at the time of parturition. Haemorrhage, excoriation, stretching and surgical intervention can all occur.Secondary infections from environmental contaminants is expected as a complication. A severe form occurs when lesions are contaminated with the spores of clostridia, particularly Clostridium septicum, Clostridium sordellii, Clostridium novji, Clostridium chauvoei, and Clostridium perfringens.
Clostridium septicum is reported to be a cause of severe vulvovaginitis after carving. Odani et al (2009) reported on five cases.
Ludbey reported on the bacteria recovered 48 cows with purulent vaginal discharge, presumably from endometritis, in dairy cows in Western Australia. They found 118 isolates and these were the bacteria: Bacillus (60.2%), Streptococcus (12.7%), Trueperella (10.1%), Escherichia (6.7%) and Staphylococcus (5.9%). Less than 5% were Histophilus, Aeroccocus, Enterococcus and Moraxella.
Ludbey PA, Sahibzada S, Annandale CH, Robertson ID, Waichigo FK, Tufail MS, Valenzuela JL, Aleri JW. A pilot study on bacterial isolates associated with purulent vaginal discharge in dairy cows in the south-west region of Western Australia. Aust Vet J. 2022; 100: 205-212.
There is a syndrome in Israeli cattle called bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis were postpartum cows develop a severe necrotic disease of the vagina and vulva. Superficial erosions and ulcers become deep septic lesions. It is seen in large dairy herds where their has been comingling of animals from multiple sources. First calf heifers are particularly susceptible. Many bacteria are cultured from lesions, so it is believed to be a 'polymicrobial' disease.
Shpigel NY, Adler-Ashkenazy L, Scheinin S, Goshen T, Arazi A, Pasternak Z, Gottlieb Y. Characterization and identification of microbial communities in bovine necrotic vulvovaginitis. The Vet J 2017; 219: 34-39
Ureaplasmosis is a cause of severe vulvovaginitis that progresses to granular vulvitis with the formation of lymphatic nodules (lymphoid follicles) in the vulva
Bovine Herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1, Infectious bovine pustular vulvovaginitis)
BoHV-1 is one of the best known causes of vulvovaginitis. It typically affects heifers. It is spread at mating. It is also a well known abortogenic agent.
Bovine Herpesvirus 4
BoHV-4 is involved in metritis and can cause vulvovaginitis
Bovine Herpesvirus 5
BoHV-5
Parapoxvirus
Moeller et al (2018) published a case report about the infection of first calf heifers with the formation of pinpoint red areas that developed into up to 5mm pustules within 2-4 days. These ulcerateed. Histologically there was balooning degeneration of the epitehlial cells and small eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies. PCR detection of pan parapoxviruses was positive but it was not Bovine Papular Stomatitis Virus or Orf virus.
Moeller RB Jr, Crossley B, Adaska JM, Hsia G, Kahn R, Blanchard PC. Parapoxviral vulvovaginitis in Holstein cows. J Vet Diagn Invest 2018; 30(3): 464-467.
Bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV)
Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV)
Blomqvist et al (2018) published a report where about 90% of a herd of 80 cows in Sweden developed vesicles, erosions,m papules and crusts on the vulva and vaginal mucosa. A cow brush was the suspected fomite.
Blomqvist G, Ullman K, Segall T, Hauzenberger E, Renström L, Persson-Waller K, Leijon M, Valarcher JF. An unusual presentation of pseudocowpox associated with an outbreak of pustular ulcerative vulvovaginitis in a Swedish dairy herd. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2018; 30: 256-259.
Ulcers of the vulva are reported in cattle with mucosal disease and bovine viral diarrhea - BVDV.
Edema is occasionally seen in the vulva of cattle near term. It spontaneously regresses after birth. The cause is not known. (Cheong and Gilbert (2014).
Cheong SH, Gilbert RO. Massive vulvar edema in 2 prepartum dairy cows. >Can Vet J. 2014; 55: 462-465.
Cheong SH, Gilbert RO (2014) Massive vulvar edema in 2 prepartum dairy cows. Can Vet J 2014; 55: 462-465.
Odani JS1, Blanchard PC, Adaska JM, Moeller RB, Uzal FA. (2009). Malignant edema in postpartum dairy cattle. J Vet Diagn Invest 2009; 21(6): 920-924.