| There are a number of ways to confirm a pregnancy: 1. The best external sign of pregnancy is the female rejecting the male. This is usually demonstrated as the female “spits off” the male. 2. Progesterone assays are, at best, only an indication of ovulation and pregnancy. 3. By ultrasound. It is very important to have a program of periodic testing to determine that the female is retaining her pregnancy. You can use anyone of the tests above. I would check 2 times in the first 60 days and every 60 days thereafter.
When a female is presented to a male 7 days after breeding and she “spits off” you can be fairly certain that she has ovulated and is probably pregnant, but you need to keep testing her, at 14 and 28 days, until an ultrasound can be performed. When a previously serviced female is presented to a male 14 days after the initial mating and she rejects the male it is likely that she is pregnant. “Body language” (ears back, kicking, avoidance of male and in some cases actually spitting), indicates what is known as “spit off”, but to be safe a pregnancy should be confirmed by ultrasound 30 days after conception and at regular 60 day intervals throughout the pregnancy.
Depending on the stage of pregnancy, the ultrasound probe may either be used trans-abdominally on the flank near the mammary glands or transrectally. Diagnosis by ultrasound creates a picture of the fetus. This has two benefits: it leaves no doubt that there is a pregnancy, and allows the veterinarian to check that the fetus is alive and developing.Most ultrasound testing is done rectally. The on farm facilities required to do a test includes a shed or an area away from direct sunlight and with access to electricity. An animal handler is required to assist the veterinarian. The results should be recorded and many ultrasound machines include a printer that produces a photo of the fetus. It is vital that all pregnancies be monitored with “spit offs” every 6 to 8 weeks and if possible a repeat ultrasound at 5-6 months and 7-8 months gestation. It is always a great disappointment when your overdue female is found to be “open”, without cria.
In late pregnancy (around 10 months) the fetus may be felt externally through the abdominal wall. This is easy to do and your veterinarian can quickly train you to ballotte a cria.
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