checking pregnancy

[greenhorn]

So how and at what point during gestation can you check a cow to see if she is, indeed, expecting. I'm assuming holding a little test strip in her pee won't work...too bad, they sell the tests for $1.00 at the Dollar General! Do they have to have a sonogram?

How much does a test usually cost? Thanks and I can't wait to find out about this!

[Chixarecute]

Well, if you're having the vet out, they can be palpated about 45 days. Others have shared info about the tests - I think the tests are relatively inexpensive.

[Tad]

I good vet can slip a membrane at about 38 days and on. That is probably the easiest and cheapest method. In later gestation you can "bump" a calf. On the cows right side if you take your fist and push in just forward of were her belly meets her back leg you can fell a hard lump. Unless you want to wait untill she is 5 or 6 months along to bump a calf I would go for the vet.

[ozark_jewels]

For a vet to preg-check around here the costs vary widely. My vet charges $5.00 per cow or $2.00 per cow if its over 15 cows. Everybody else is higher.

[bruce2288]

Vet can ultrasound after 30 days bred, cost $5. Manual preg $2. Depending on vet and cow I would want cow 60 days bred for manual preg check.

[Chixarecute]

Yes, then tack on the cost of the farm call. Not all vets have portable ultrasound, either.

[PaulNKS]

You can easily learn to do the preg check yourself. You may not be able to know what period the cow is in but, you can at least easily learn how to check. Your feed store most likely carries ob gloves. Get a neighbor to show you how. Most stockmen that I grew up around does it themselves. We preg checked every fall. Cows that weren't bred went to town so as not to have to carry her through the winter.

Our local vet charges an "office visit" charge plus a $5.00 chute fee plus the cost of the preg check... rip off. lol

[Oakshire]

I have a heifer (well not really she is 2 1/2) that is, fingers crossed! I finally pregnant. Any one know if I can try a human pregnancy test on her??? Is it the same? It is only a matter of time till I have the vet out for one of my many accident prone animals But I thought this would be a relatively inexpensive thing to try!

[dosthouhavemilk]

www.biotracking.com

Test is up to $2.45 or something and then the cost of the tube, needle, syringe, and shipping..