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on-farm pregnancy test kit

  • 25-12-2010 4:07pm
    #1
    funkey_monkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,602 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    We have some heifers which we have AI'ed. Where can we get on-farm pregnancy test kits so we can check them ourselves using the bloods?

    I can't seem to find any online.


    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    whelan1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,786 ✭✭✭✭whelan1


    there was a discussion on this last week , i think it is handier to get the animals scanned


  • #3
    funkey_monkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,602 ✭✭✭funkey_monkey


    Cheers whelan, can you provide me with a link to the discussion?


  • #4
    Bizzum
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭Bizzum


    The ones discussed last week, (CowPreg) would be no good to you because they work on progesterone levels in the milk, as its heifers you have, there is no milk sample available.


  • #5
    whelan1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,786 ✭✭✭✭whelan1


    why go to the bother of doing a blood test - what is wrong with a scanner:confused:


  • #6
    Bizzum
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭Bizzum


    Is there such thing as a pregnancy test using bloods?

    Your local friendly scanning man will sort you out here.


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  • #7
    funkey_monkey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,602 ✭✭✭funkey_monkey


    Thats what I thought too. But I've been asked to check out if we can do it ourselves with bloods. I think it can be done in the States, but I think the blood is sent away. Not a great system.


  • #8
    Bizzum
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,034 ✭✭✭Bizzum


    If bloods are required for any reason can we as farmers take it or must a vet be employed?
    Thing start to get expensive if the vet has to be involved.


  • #9
    InchicoreDude
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭InchicoreDude


    Never seen these scanners being used. Are they expensive? Hard to use? Anyone got an informative link?


  • #10
    dvet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 329 ✭✭dvet


    Bizzum wrote: »
    If bloods are required for any reason can we as farmers take it or must a vet be employed?
    Thing start to get expensive if the vet has to be involved.

    Probably depends on what you're testing for. Brucellosis, or anything else legally controlled, would have to be done by a registered vet. But for other tests, you could ring your local lab and ask them about it. (they'll tell you which tests you would need to choose, what sort of samples you need to take, how many animals/which animals, etc) Some labs also refuse to accept samples which are not posted in a particular type of packaging etc, so you should also ask about this. (there are special regulations concerning the postage of biological samples).

    You'd also need sterile needles for each animal, and the right type of blood bottles (different types needed for different tests), so you'd have to find out which ones and buy them off your vet anyway. Also, depending on what you're testing for, you may need your vet to interpret the results e.g. interpreting a BVD test, which is not that straightforward.

    You'll still be paying the lab and postage fees though which are the most expensive part of blood testing. All in all it's a bit convoluted... might be just easier to get the vet to do it!


  • #11
    dvet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 329 ✭✭dvet


    InchicoreDude wrote: »
    Never seen these scanners being used. Are they expensive? Hard to use? Anyone got an informative link?

    You'd have to get a scanner or the vet out to do it. You'd need a bit of training to know what you were doing, & the ultrasound machines cost a couple of grand each.

    A good trained scanning man will be able to tell you not only if she's pregnant but also how far along she is. Very quick and handy. You can also get your vet to pregnancy diagnose by hand (i.e. no scanner) which is probably a bit cheaper.

    Here's a link or 2 about scanning (they're not great but will give you an idea)

    http://www.macattackptnrs.co.uk/cow_pregancy.html

    http://www.cattletoday.com/archive/2006/March/CT445.shtml


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