Detecting pregnancy in cows and heifers is a critical aspect of cattle management. Rectal palpation is one of the most commonly used methods for detecting pregnancy in cows and heifers. This article explains what rectal palpation is, when to do it, and how to do it, to enable cattle farmers to detect pregnancy accurately.

What is Rectal Palpation?

Rectal palpation is the physical examination of the reproductive tract of female animals by inserting one’s arm into the animal’s rectum. This process involves feeling for the uterus, ovaries, and other reproductive organs through the rectal wall. The process is commonly used by veterinarians and cattle farmers to detect pregnancy in cows and heifers.

When to Perform Rectal Palpation

The best time to perform rectal palpation is about one and a half months after the last cow/hiefer was exposed to a bull or AI – artificial insemination. The success rate of pregnancy detection at this stage is more than 95%. Before this period, it is difficult to determine pregnancy accurately. Rectal palpation after four months of conception is not advisable since the calf will be too large to feel, leading to difficulty in assessing pregnancy.

How to Perform Rectal Palpation

Performing rectal palpation requires some level of expertise and training, and it’s advisable to seek help from a veterinary professional or an experienced cattle farmer. However, here are some steps on how to perform rectal palpation:

Step 1: Safety Preparation

Before performing rectal palpation, ensure that the animal is restrained correctly to prevent injuries to the person and the cow/heifer. A stock handling facility with a headbail is an ideal setup. The animal’s tail should be put off the way, and the rectum and area around it cleaned to ensure hygiene safety.

Step 2: Inserting the Arm

The arm is inserted slowly into the rectum along the bowel, towards the cow/heifer’s reproductive tract. After putting on a lubricated glove, the hand is closed into a fist with the thumb away from the fingers. The arm insertion movement should be cautious and smooth.

Step 3: Assessing the Reproductive Tract

The arm is moved up further, past the rectum, to where the internal organs can be felt. The uterus, which is grape-sized in a non-pregnant cow, will feel like a small ball of hay when pregnant. In addition, the bladder is felt as a small bulge at the bottom end of the reproductive tract, adjacent to the vaginal canal.

Step 4: Assessing Uterine Size and Embyro

The uterus should feel large and firm when the cow or heifer is pregnant. The fetus is felt as a fluid-filled scrotal sac. If there is no pregnancy, the uterus feels contracted and non-existent.

In conclusion, rectal palpation is an essential part of cattle management. Accurate and early identification of pregnancy in cows and heifers allows for proper feeding, medical care, and scheduling of calving. When performed correctly and at the right time, rectal palpation is a valuable tool for cattle farmers and veterinary professionals to diagnose pregnancy in cows and heifers.

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