A cow in metestrus may exhibit which sign that indicates she was in heat a day or two earlier?

• A. Increased licking
• B. Ear twitching
• C. Bloody vaginal discharge
• D. Frequent urination

Answer: (C)

Metestrus follows heat, and a noticeable bloody vaginal discharge can occur during this phase as the reproductive tract heals and the follicle has ruptured. That blood discharge serves as a clear clue that the cow was in heat a day or two earlier, since ovulation has just happened and the body is transitioning to luteal activity. The other signs—increased licking, ear twitching, or frequent urination—are not tied specifically to recent estrus and can occur for various reasons, so they don’t reliably indicate that heat occurred recently. Hence, bloody vaginal discharge is the best indication of a recent heat.