July 2019
Equine
Most veterinarians that are doing equine reproduction will want to use the 6.5 MHz linear rectal probe for early pregnancy checks and for scanning and measuring ovaries. Tendons can be examined with the 7.5 MHz L40 probe. The 3.5 MHz C60 convex T handle probe is the probe of choice for equine abdominal exams. If the practice has a 4.0 MHz convex rectal probe, this probe is useful for advanced pregnancy testing in ranch mares.
Companion Animal
For companion animal examinations, the 6.5 MHz C20 micro convex is the most commonly used probe. Routine examination of the bladder, uterus, abdomen for fluid, thorax for fluid, can be done with the Flexx with this 6.5 MHz probe. The 3.5 MHz C60 T handle probe may be used for large dogs and the 7.5 MHz L40 T handle probe is recommended for very small dogs, tendons and cats. Having the right ultrasound equipment for mixed animal practice is a challenge.
Swine
Pregnancy testing sows at day 21 to 28 is a very economical procedure in modern pork production. Sows are relatively easy to ultrasound when restrained in a crate. With more production switching to loose housing for sows, pregnancy testing is more of a challenge. The BoviScan S60 with 3.5 MHz C60 T handle probe is ideal for pregnancy testing sows transabdomenally in crates and/or loose housing. Most people prefer the Vista goggles for this job.
Beef
ReproScan ultrasound equipment is ideally suited for reproductive ultrasound in cow/calf and beef production, especially pregnancy testing and fetal aging pregnancies in beef cattle. There are 2 main types of reproductive ultrasound on cow calf operations. The first is the traditional “arm in cow” ultrasound that traditionally has been used for early pregnancy diagnosis and fetal aging (less than 120 days) and fetal gender determination in fetuses 58 to 80 days.
Other Species
NCBA Recap
The 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show was one for the books. The convention was held January 30- February 1, 2019, in New Orleans, LA. More than 8,000 cattlemen and women made there way to the largest cattle industry event in the country. The NCBA Trade Show held in conjunction with the convention had 383 exhibitors with acres of displays. The event provided attendees with education, information, fellowship and decision-making opportunities for the industry’s leading members.
Training Opportunities
Pregchecking season is underway in many parts of the country. Do you want to learn to ultrasound your cattle, or sharpen the skills you already have? ReproScan collaborates with several trainers to provide various training courses. Participants of Dr. Craig DeMuth’s most recent course, July 20-21, 2017 in Stratton, Colorado, had the opportunity learn and discuss different ovarian abnormalities, the diagnosis of twins, the diagnosis of fetal death and more in the lecture.
Greetings From Iowa - We Moved!
Customer Feature - Hutson Angus
Hutson Angus is a large registered Angus operation based in Elk City, Oklahoma. Hutson Angus was introduced to ReproScan ultrasound equipment at the National Angus Convention in 2015. They discovered that ultrasound technology would be more efficient and provide better management tools than their method of preg testing at the time which was the BioPryn blood test. Joe Sanders, the herd manager at Hutson Angus, went to The Graham School and spent one day with Frank Graham to learn to ultrasound.
Equipment Care - Tips for Saving Battery Life
We have all experienced it, that dreadful moment when you turn on your machine…nothing. Your battery is dead. There are many reasons this occurs: forgetfulness, extended periods without use, extreme temperatures, battery age etc. What can you do to prevent your batteries from going dead? The simple answer is remembering to charge them, but there are other ways to elongate your battery’s life. ReproScan’s equipment uses Lithium ion batteries. To learn more about your lithium ion battery, follow this link to the Battery University.