Rectal palpation
Safety issues
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol0no25p122-123Keywords:
cattle diseases, Complications, Haemorrhage, Pregnancy diagnosis, Rectal palpationAbstract
Rectal palpation is considered by most to be a safe, accurate method for pregnancy diagnosis in cows from about day 30 to 35 of pregnancy until term. Diagnosis is possible a few days earlier in heifers. A diagnosis of nonpregnant should never be made until the uterus has been retracted and carefully palpated along its entire length.
Differential diagnoses that should be considered for pregnancy in the cow include pyometra, fetal mummification, fetal death and/or maceration, segmental aplasia with accumulation of fluid, adhesions of the reproductive tract to other abdominal organs, uterine lymphoma, abscesses of the reproductive tract, and ovarian tumors. Mistakes involving these conditions should not be made if the examiner relies on the positive signs of pregnancy mentioned above.
