July 2021
Understanding Your Exams and Settings
Your ReproScan XTC or BoviScan Curve has several preset exams. Each one of these exams are set a for a slightly different use, but you can also adjust them on your own if you want to change your image. Pressing the exam button on the top of your machine will scroll through each different exam (A through D, or A through H, depending how many exams your machine has). To adjust an individual setting, press the menu button, then use the exam button to scroll though the menu, and the “+” and “-“ button to increase or decrease the setting. Here is a brief overview of what each exam is set up for:
Using your XTC/Curve For Multiple Species
The ReproScan XTC and BoviScan Curve were designed for use on cattle, but they can be used for other applications. They can both be used for equine, small ruminants, and small animal work. Adjusting a few settings can make the image a lot better for these uses.
Using your XTC/Curve for Multiple Species
If you are doing any equine (early stages), you want to have a shallower exam with higher frequency to get the most detailing out of your probe. Therefore, increasing your frequency and decreasing your focus will offer a slightly improved ultrasound image. Changing your frame rate to 2 will also improve the image quality just a touch.
June 2021
Best Practices - Service Checks!
Have you sent your machine in for a service check lately? An important part of equipment care is making sure your machines are cared for and checked if they working properly. We recommend sending in your equipment for a service check every two years; before your busiest time of year. Sending in your machines frequently will save you money, time, and productivity in the long run. To send your equipment in for a service check, give us a call at 877-890-2411!
Settings for Dry Manure
When ultrasounding cattle, it can be a challenge to get a good image if the manure is dry. Often the image will appear quite dim. In this short video, Dr. Bronson will discuss how to brighten up your image a bit to help compensate for the dry manure.
May 2021
Equine Considerations
It is important when ultrasounding mares to carefully examine the entire uterus (especially when looking for a short pregnancy). Check out this clip.
March 2021
Are You Ready for Equine Season? - Settings Tips
It is almost that time of year again…equine breeding season. Are you ready? Do we need to fine tune any of your settings? The linear rectal probe is the most popular probe for equine use. One setting you can change is the frame rate on your ReproScan ultrasound, from 1 to 3 to get a more detailed image. It is important to note this will cause a slight lag in the image because the machine will be processing more frames. Therefore, I do not recommend it for bovine use.
Tips, Tricks, and Techniques - Splitting 4s/5s
Do you ever have to spit between 4 and 5 month fetuses for your clients? It can be a bit of a challenge. Fetal aging under 4 months can be done with considerably more accuracy than over 4 months. Some veterinarians will age under 120 days in 5 or 10 day increments and over 4 months with only a month and/or 2-month age.
For example, a pregnancy may be recorded as 100 days for a late bred cow and an earlier bred cow may be recorded as a 5/6 meaning that it is somewhere around 5 or 6 months pregnant. Knowing the stage of pregnancy provides your clients with the data they need to manage their herds. Click HERE to learn more!
December 2020
Tips, Tricks, and Techniques- Scanning Deep Bodied, 2nd Trimester Cows
Scanning deep bodied or longer bred cows can be a bit of a challenge. Check out this video with practical tips to help you navigate that tricky stage. For more tips check out our youtube or facebook pages.
November 2020
Are You Ready For Christmas Puppies?
Pregnancy diagnosis in dogs tends to be a simple task with an ultrasound. Starting at approximately 28 days, fetuses can be easily detected with transabdominal ultrasound. For large dogs, any probe can be used, however a higher frequency probe is preferred. In small dogs, any probe with a frequency exceeding 5-6 MHz will be adequate.
Position the probe at the brim of the pelvis and begin by scanning forward. The vesicle and fetal structures of each pup will be easily distinguished after 28 days, and the uterine horns can be followed along the dorsal and dorsolateral abdominal walls in lateral or dorsal recumbency. Typically, the pups will be in fairly close proximity, and counting will be easy in mid-gestation. In late gestation, assessment of fetal structures and fetal heart rate will be easier, but counting may be more difficult.
October 2020
Tips, Tricks, and Techniques- How to Set Up for a Successful PregChecking Season!
Pregnancy testing beef cows incorporates many skills, planning and proper facilities. Any deficiencies in any of these areas may result in disappointing results, wasted time and possible injuries to people and cattle. At ReproScan Technologies, we would like to help you plan for success. Here are a few pointers that we would like to share. For more details and tips on how to safely and successfully ultrasound pregnancy test beef cows, contact your ReproScan representative or the ReproScan office.