palpating for pregnancy

farmgirl6 · #1 02/24/13, 12:42 PM

So, we did an AI on Annabell 93 days ago, having been watching for signs of heat but the weather has been crappy, I was gone one week she should have been in heat, and she is kinda stealthy anyway. Not seeing any obvious signs, I thought I would take a shot at palpation. Annabelle is a small cow, probably a jersey dexter cross, and I have little hands and thin arms, so I thought I would rather do it than have my vet who is a substantial fellow, take a shot. All my cows are halter broke to lead, tie, and load in my two horse trailer which is very handy for ai and such. I looked a bunch of sites on the internet. seemed sort of clear cut, ha ha. put on the glove and lots of lube, and very gently put my arm in. AB was pretty matter of fact about it. just above my elbow things sloped down. I could not feel anything I read about or saw in the video to be honest, just like a big bag of water below my hand but I was nervous about grabbing anything too hard. what i did feel was an obvious small rat size lump on the right side, like a tumor that I could cover with my palm but higher than I would have though. was that just her utereous? some organ? I have read in young heifers than can be up on the side. I will wait a few days and try again, am paranoid about hurting her...I can say this she is all about eating, all the time, pretty much non stop, my other cow is the exact same age and much more interested in playing about and chasing their filly pasture mate, and she was in obvious heat earlier in the month....

CIW · #2 02/24/13, 02:30 PM

The first thing that I was taught was to close my eyes. It helps with the imagination of whats inside.
At about 90 to 120 days if you feel over the pelvic rim and past vagina and down you should be able to feel these little nodules, like marbles (cotyledons). These connect the fetal tissue to the uterine tissue. The fetus is going to be about twice the size of your fisted hand and the cervix is going to be tight, similar to a turkeys neck.
This won't help now. I would suggest that you call the county extension agent to see whether they have palpation clinics in the late summer and fall. The one I went to when I was in FFA was over 3 days and we did over 600 head. (8 kids) Been doing it ever since.
After doing about 30, one right after the other, you'll start to get quick and accurate.
My 19 yo. daughter just finished her 4th season palping cows. Works really good for farm kids to have as a job while in school.
Having your hand in the backside of a cow is good for the pocketbook to. She makes $1.25 a head plus some to cover travel costs.
She keeps a good record and sends a report to the folks that she's doing work for. Building quite a clientel.
Best of luck.

G. Seddon · #3 02/24/13, 02:32 PM

You could do a blood test instead:

http://www.biotracking.com/

RedRidge · #4 02/25/13, 07:58 AM

Blood test is easy and inexpensive - not to mention non-invasive
Be use BioPryn

farmgirl6 · #5 03/01/13, 08:14 AM

Okay, now I've gone and done it, I have ordered a blood test but thought I would try again, taking the advice of eyes closed and studying a few more sites and information. It is something I would like to get familier with. I was still very gentle, with lots of lube on the glove, and I've a tiny hand, I don't think I was a bit rough, in fact compared to what I'd seen in videos I was pretty passive, this time I could feel nothing, could not even open my hand, everything was very tight, and when I pulled my arm out I saw a small streak of blood on the glove..what the heck? now what, do I call the vet..heavens his arm is twice the size of mine and she is a tiny cow, but should he examine her? how could I have hurt her, I didn't even "push firmly" as they say in the directions...she seems unbothered by it but now I am freaking out...

unregistered41671 · #6 03/01/13, 08:39 AM

I doubt you have hurt anything. If it were a lot of blood, maybe. I was trying to turn a calf around years ago and could not. I called a vet and he is a super good cow vet. He turned the calf and pulled it. We went to lunch afterward and when we came back, the cow was dead. Bled to death. Evidently, a uterine artery was cut by the calf's foot in the process. I raised the calf on a bottle and turned out to be a big and healthy cow.
I have never seen a cow hurt by doing a pregnancy check.

Cheryl aka JM · #7 03/01/13, 08:46 AM

a small streak of blood? I've never palpated a cow, but understanding anatomy.....I wouldn't think a small streak of blood would be all that big a deal. Unless someone who knows how it's done says panic....I think I'd stand back and take a wait and see attitude. Farm calls are expensive, for a small amount of blood after an invasive procedure such as sticking ones entire arm up the back end of a small cow.....I'd wait and see.

And if you use Biotracking the pregnancy test is easy. Get a large gage needle and a vacuum tube from the vet. Draw blood from the big vein in her tail (look online will show how). Send the tube of blood and $4 to biotracking. Results in less than a week usually. Hardest part is getting the blood~ trick is use a large gage, short length needle.
Good luck!

DJ in WA · #8 03/01/13, 10:34 PM

Don't worry about the blood. Very common - the rectum is sensitive and alittle irritation results in blood.

I've been in classes with some poor cows getting worked over by students for an hour.

DJ in WA · #9 03/01/13, 10:47 PM

Here's some tips for making it easier.

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/pubs/asc61.pdf

Quote:

Either hand may be used in

Quote:

palpation. One hand may grasp the
cow's tail as a handle. The other
hand should be well lubricated and
shaped into a wedge by bringing
the fingers together as closely as
possible. The hand is pushed
through the anus into the rectum
with one swift thrust. As the hand
enters the rectum, fold the fingers
into a modified fist,

Quote:

Figure 5. By
bailing the hand into a modified fist
as it enters the rectum, the fecal
material is pushed aside and the
rectum straightened. Folds in the
rectum do not straighten as easily if the fingers are held in a pointed position. This also eliminates
puncturing of the rectal wall with the sharper pointed fingers. However, puncturing is rare, as the rectum is thick-walled and resistant.

Cleaning the cow's rectum of fecal material usually is not necessary. However, in early stages of learning, cleaning the rectum increases feel. Remove fecal material of cattle on range since it is so dry.

Feeling through the rectal wall is similar to feeling through a layer or two of thin rubber. Most cattle are cooperative. Thus, it should be possible to feel the paunch and pick-up the reproductive organs without difficulty.

Usually, the longer the examination, the more resistance encountered. Occasionally, a small amount of bleeding occurs. This should not upset the palpator. An indication of rectum damage is a sandpaper or gritty feeling. In this case, the mucosa lining the rectum has been rubbed off in the palpation process. It is best to stop further palpation when this occurs.

A thrust of the arm to the elbow is usually much better than trying to put the hand into the rectum and gradually working forward. It is much easier to work to the rear, since that is the direction the cow is pushing the fecal matter and the inserted arm. In palpating, assume the animals are pregnant. Therefore, reach farther than wrist deep to pick up the uterus and the calf within.

Certain landmarks are evident inside the cow. The pelvis forms a bone cradle for the reproductive system, Figure 5. The nonpregnant tract usually is located near the top of the pelvic cradle and felt easily with downward pressure. As pregnancy advances, the uterus and cervix move down and into the body cavity.