Clinical Examination of Farm Animals - CYF MEDICAL DISTRIBUTION

CHAPTER 10
Ovary containing
corpus luteum
Rectum
Broad ligament
Pregnant horn
Non-pregnant horn
Figure 10.5 The bovine uterus at approximately 10
weeks of pregnancy.
(Fig. 10.6). In the last few days of pregnancy the
feet of the calf often enter the pelvis in preparation
for birth. Occasionally, if the calf is very large and
heavy, in late pregnancy it may slip under the caudal
parts of the rumen and cannot be palpated per
rectum.
Ovaries In non-pregnant animals these are located
on the pelvic floor approximately level with and
quite close to the junction of the body and horns of
the uterus (Fig. 10.7). In searching for them per rectum
the clinician should remain in manual contact with
the uterus to which they are attached. Maintaining
contact with the uterus enables the clinician to limit
the area in which the ovaries may be sought.
Occasionally one ovary, often the left, is not immediately
palpable and may have slipped under the anterior
border of the broad ligament. Digital pressure
exerted in a downward and anterior direction on the
broad ligament will usually cause the ovary to move
back into a palpable position. Very occasionally
animals are found in which only a single ovary is
present.
Figure 10.6 Palpation per rectum of the calf in late pregnancy.
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