July 2019
Dairy
ReproScan ultrasound equipment provides solutions for all the challenges of dairy cattle reproductive ultrasound. When selecting ultrasound equipment for dairy cattle reproductive examinations, one needs to consider many factors.
Early Pregnancy Diagnosis
A presumptive diagnosis of pregnancy can be made as early as 25 days. This diagnosis is based on the presence of clear uterine fluid and a functional Corpus Luteum greater than 20 mm on the same side as the fluid. These pregnancies must be recheck as the rate of pregnancy loss at this stage can be quite high. Very early pregnancy testing is usually done with a hand held 6.5 MHz linear rectal probe such as BoviScan HD, BoviScan Linear or ReproScan Flexx (6.5 MHz probe). Pregnancy testing 30 days and up gets considerably easier to do. The heart beat in the embryo can be used confirm the viability of the embryo. The 4.0 MHz convex rectal probe can be used for early pregnancy exams with the “arm in cow” method. The larger field of view makes some examinations easier but there is lower resolution for some procedures. Extension arm ultrasound usually starts at 35 days and up in moderate sized seasonally bred dairy cattle.
Small Ruminants
Small Ruminants (Camelids, Sheep, Goats, Deer, Elk) Llamas, alpacas, sheep and goats can be pregnancy tested with ultrasound equipment. The best equipment to use will depend on the stage of gestation and the method that you wish to use. Alpacas and llamas can be pregnancy tested with “arm in animal” between 30 and 90 days after breeding similar to a cow if one’s arm is small enough. Extension arm ultrasound can be used in alpacas and llamas.
Equine
Most veterinarians that are doing equine reproduction will want to use the 6.5 MHz linear rectal probe for early pregnancy checks and for scanning and measuring ovaries. Tendons can be examined with the 7.5 MHz L40 probe. The 3.5 MHz C60 convex T handle probe is the probe of choice for equine abdominal exams. If the practice has a 4.0 MHz convex rectal probe, this probe is useful for advanced pregnancy testing in ranch mares.
Companion Animal
For companion animal examinations, the 6.5 MHz C20 micro convex is the most commonly used probe. Routine examination of the bladder, uterus, abdomen for fluid, thorax for fluid, can be done with the Flexx with this 6.5 MHz probe. The 3.5 MHz C60 T handle probe may be used for large dogs and the 7.5 MHz L40 T handle probe is recommended for very small dogs, tendons and cats.
Having the right ultrasound equipment for mixed animal practice is a challenge. Providing bovine, equine, small ruminant and companion animal ultrasound examinations for your clients is a challenge. Multiple probes are involved as the organs and body systems examined are all very different in shape and size between species. A mixed animal practitioner may be called upon to exam equine tendons, pregnancy test goats, exam a dog for ascites and pregnancy test cows all in the same day! Having a multi-probe ultrasound unit in each mobile veterinary unit helps make the challenging days for a rural mixed animal practitioner much easier.
Swine
Pregnancy testing sows at day 21 to 28 is a very economical procedure in modern pork production. Sows are relatively easy to ultrasound when restrained in a crate. With more production switching to loose housing for sows, pregnancy testing is more of a challenge. The BoviScan S60 with 3.5 MHz C60 T handle probe is ideal for pregnancy testing sows transabdomenally in crates and/or loose housing. Most people prefer the Vista goggles for this job. The BoviScan S60 can worn with the waist strap or put in a backpack for added protection.
Beef
ReproScan ultrasound equipment is ideally suited for reproductive ultrasound in cow/calf and beef production, especially pregnancy testing and fetal aging pregnancies in beef cattle.
There are 2 main types of reproductive ultrasound on cow calf operations. The first is the traditional “arm in cow” ultrasound that traditionally has been used for early pregnancy diagnosis and fetal aging (less than 120 days) and fetal gender determination in fetuses 58 to 80 days. The second type of reproductive ultrasound is extension arm ultrasound. With ReproScan equipment, this is done with a 4.0 MHz convex rectal probe on the extension arm (ReproArm). With the larger field of view provided by the 4.0 MHz convex rectal probe, more of the fetus can be seen at one time and pregnancy testings and some degree of fetal aging can be done from 30 days and up.
Other Species
NCBA Recap
The 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show was one for the books. The convention was held January 30- February 1, 2019, in New Orleans, LA. More than 8,000 cattlemen and women made there way to the largest cattle industry event in the country.
The NCBA Trade Show held in conjunction with the convention had 383 exhibitors with acres of displays. The event provided attendees with education, information, fellowship and decision-making opportunities for the industry’s leading members.
ReproScan is already looking forward to #Cattlecon2020 Deep in the Heart of San Antonio, TX! We hope to see you February 5-7, 202,0 at booth #2326.
Training Opportunities
Pregchecking season is underway in many parts of the country. Do you want to learn to ultrasound your cattle, or sharpen the skills you already have? ReproScan collaborates with several trainers to provide various training courses.
Participants of Dr. Craig DeMuth’s most recent course, July 20-21, 2017 in Stratton, Colorado, had the opportunity learn and discuss different ovarian abnormalities, the diagnosis of twins, the diagnosis of fetal death and more in the lecture. The following morning at a local ranch, each participant had the chance to develop their arm in cow ultrasound technique and their convex probe extension arm technique. With numerous cows at different stages, the wet lab provided ample opportunity for each person to practice determining fetal age and fetal sex.
