metritis

thumb|Early 20th-century French advertisement for an anti-metritis vaccine Metritis is inflammation of the wall of the uterus, whereas endometritis is inflammation of the functional lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. The term pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is often used for metritis.

==Definitions== Postpartum metritis, also known as puerperal sepsis, occurs within 21 days and is most common within 10 days of delivery. Metritis is characterized by an enlarged uterus and a watery red-brown fluid to viscous off-white purulent uterine discharge, which often has a bad smell. The severity of disease is categorized by the signs of health: Grade 1 metritis: An abnormally enlarged uterus and a purulent uterine discharge without any systemic signs of ill health. Grade 2 metritis: Animals with additional signs of systemic illness such as decreased milk yield, dullness, and fever >39.5 °C. Grade 3 metritis: Animals with signs of toxemia such as inappetence, cold extremities, depression, and/or collapse.