
It’s that time of year again — equine breeding season. Are you prepared? Equine breeding season is here. Now is the time to ensure your equipment, protocols, and team are ready for a smooth and successful season. To help you prepare, here are a few practical ultrasound tips and reminders: Transrectal Ultrasound: Depending on the indication and stage of the reproductive cycle, examinations may be performed transrectally or transabdominally. For most transrectal reproductive exams, a linear probe is preferred.

As we head into spring, demand for small ruminant pregnancy ultrasound increases. Whether you need to identify open females or confirm bred animals, we are here to help. Here are some tips to keep in mind this season! Preparation When ultrasounding small ruminants transabdominally, we recommend using the C-60 T-Handle Probe, which can be plugged into our Flexx machine. It’s important to use plenty of alcohol, gel, or lube, either applied to the skin or directly onto the probe head, to get the best image possible.

When was the last time your ultrasound equipment had a thorough cleaning or service check? Don’t test your luck this upcoming preg-checking season — send your unit in for a service check and head into the busy months with confidence. ReproScan equipment is built for durability and performance — designed to work as hard as you do. But like any hardworking tool, your ultrasound system needs periodic maintenance to stay reliable and efficient.

FAQ: How Do I Charge My Equipment? If you purchased an ultrasound and a monitor, each piece of equipment must be charged separately. These are two separate devices, and both require charging. To keep things simple, both the monitor and the ultrasound use the same ReproScan charger, so ReproScan chargers are interchangeable between devices. ⚠️ Important: DO NOT use a charger other than a ReproScan charger. Using a non-ReproScan charger can permanently damage your equipment.
Are you using your ultrasound for more than just bovine repro—maybe scanning a dog or an equine neck? If so, you may want to take a moment to adjust your settings. Small changes can make a big difference in image quality, and one important setting to look at is frame rate. Frame rate in ultrasound refers to how many images (frames) the system captures and displays each second. Increasing the frame rate can produce smoother, more real-time motion, which is especially helpful for applications outside of standard repro work.

I love this time of year—from Thanksgiving, which gently ushers in the holiday season with a reminder of all we have to be grateful for, to the close of the year when we reflect on where we’ve been and look ahead to what’s next. Writing this letter is a sweet tradition for me, and I truly look forward to it each year. (Now, does anyone actually read it or care? I’m not entirely sure 😉.

Doc Talk with Dr. Terhaar Watch the video below as Dr. Terhaar explains what can be seen on the ReproScan 2.0 Monitor! As explained, Dr. Terhaar is taking a moment to study a fetus that is laying in a unique position. When a fetus is laying in a certain way, or their body is showing certain signs, it can mean something is specific. For this fetus, Dr. Terhaar took a couple extra seconds to ensure it was not schistosomus reflexus.

It’s that time of year…the weather is getting cooler, and the cattle are longer bred. These can be much more challenging. Late-gestation cows are a different game compared to 45–90-day pregnancies. As pregnancy advances, the uterus drops ventrally and cranially (forward and down), fluid increases, and anatomy stretches away from easy reach. Add a deep bodied and fat animal, and you’re scanning farther, through more tissue, at steeper angles. The good news: with a ReproArm and a few smart setting tweaks, you can do it.

Avoid a Horror Story in the Chute and Scare Off Costly Repairs with a Little Maintenance Magic: No Tricks, Just Tips: Preventative Maintenance That Pays Off ReproScan equipment is built for durability and performance — designed to work as hard as you do. But like any hardworking tool, your ultrasound system needs periodic maintenance to stay reliable and efficient. Regular checks can prevent small issues from becoming costly repairs or unexpected downtime.

News from the ReproScan office - Including a Small Ruminant (DVM Only) Training Course There’s a new face around the ReproScan office—four paws, a wagging tail, and a heart full of energy! We’re excited to introduce Trigger, our new red retriever puppy. Small Ruminant CE Course Opportunity (DVM ONLY) - Benchmark Animal Hospital Benchmark Animal Hospital is hosting a 20 Race CE credit reproduction course. See below for all the details.