Detecting pregnancy in any member of the veterinary species can be an uphill struggle – nevertheless, identifying the optimal time for conception can greatly increase the chances of successful pregnancy, whilst monitoring the gestation period allows any potential problems to be quickly and effectively resolved.

With a gestation that lasts 152.2 days (which equates to 5 months), pregnancy in sheep accounts for a significant period in their lifetimes (between 10-12 years). As a consequence it is imperative that breeders and/or farmers that rely on successful pregnancy have ways to ensure that they do not encounter any problems along the way. It is important to remember that sheep are primarily seasonal breeders, and so can only be bred at specified times throughout the year (Wikipedia).

The Oestrous Detector for Ewes enables the user to identify when ovulation occurs through analysis of the electrical resistance in vaginal mucus. Analysis is easy to carry out and the results simple to visualise and understand.  This piece of equipment is particularly important in diminishing the effort and time that is wasted when ‘false heat’ is displayed, whilst increasing the rapidity and reliability of the ewe becoming pregnant.

Once mating has been carried out, the breeder/farmer will need to establish that pregnancy has occurred. The Draminski Sheep Pregnancy Detector is the perfect tool to do this, not least due to the ability of this instrument to confirm pregnancy at earlier stages of gestation. This detector is mobile, and uses the presence of amniotic fluid to determine whether the ewe is pregnant or not.

Thus far, Vet Image Solutions has offered the perfect devices for breeders and farmers to pick the optimal time to attempt mating in sheep, and to detect early pregnancy. However, it doesn’t end there. The MSU Ovine may well be the scanner that you require – make sure to check back next time when we continue our sheep-related discussion, and the MSU Ovine is put ‘under the microscope’.