Small Ruminant Ultrasound Insights

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.

Achieving Optimal Contact

Proper contact is crucial, especially since ultrasound waves cannot penetrate air, mud, hair, or lanolin. That’s why surface preparation makes a big difference. We recommend thoroughly soaking your area with alcohol using a spray bottle. For tougher debris or lanolin build up, a rough-textured washcloth works wonders.

Location

Place the probe in the area underneath the flank, between the leg and the abdomen, and aim it towards the opposite hip. When placing the probe in the inguinal area, position it so that it is parallel to the body. Once you have scanned around the bladder, rotate the probe 90 degrees to be perpendicular to the body, and scan cranially.

Opens and Bred

Determining if an ewe or doe is open can be a bit more challenging than with cattle or mares. Depending on the equipment, you may not get a great visual of the open uterus. Therefore, you must ensure that you have scanned the entire area to confirm absence of a pregnancy. Look for landmarks such as bladder and open uterus (often visualized just cranially from the bladder). When an ewe or doe is bred, you will see a fluid-filled uterus and depending on stage of pregnancy, you may also see other signs.

Optimal Timing of Ultrasounding

The ideal window depends on your probe type and skill level. The typical Ideal window of 40-80 days.

Best Settings for Small Ruminant Scanning

The best setting for scanning small ruminants depends on the probe you are using. We recommend calling your ultrasound rep to get the best advice for your specific probe or machine.

Elle’s Fun Fact for Small Groups!

When ultrasounding small ruminants, I recommend getting scented ultrasound gel, so you do not smell like a sheep or goat for the rest of your day! I prefer lemon or lavender! Happy Scanning!