Palpate

[dt34715]

When can you Palpate?

 

[TexasBred]

When can you Palpate?

If you're talking about doing it yourself, it will all depend on your skill at palpation. Some folks can't find an 8 month calf whereas others more skilled can determine down to 3 weeks pregnant. As far as simply doing it I suppose you can do it anytime, just wait until you know any calf inside should be at least 2-3 months developed. I simply watch for observed heat after breeding. If none observed I might palpate at 3 months. Use to do it much earlier but no real need to now.

 

[Nesikep]

I need to be able to do that.. I guess there's no better way to learn that gloving up and trying? Start with one that's known to be 5 months or so?
Is there any chart anywhere showing the approximate location to feel for depending on expected gestation?

 

[Philip-TX]

I need to be able to do that.. I guess there's no better way to learn that gloving up and trying? Start with one that's known to be 5 months or so?
Is there any chart anywhere showing the approximate location to feel for depending on expected gestation?

I googled it once thinking how easy it was. I spent Waaaaay too much time facinated at the process/proceedures.

The way I came away if they are pretty far along 7-8+ I think I could do it, if they tried to bite me or something, but the 3-4mos and early stuff I'd need a vet there with time/patience to show-and-tell.

 

[TexasBred]

I need to be able to do that.. I guess there's no better way to learn that gloving up and trying? Start with one that's known to be 5 months or so?
Is there any chart anywhere showing the approximate location to feel for depending on expected gestation?

Nesi in palpation school they teach you to look for certain signs. Not necessarily grab hold of a calf but changes in the uterus etc. will tell you how far bred a cow is. I never try to feel or hold a very small calf as it's too dangerous. A three month calf won't be but about 4 inches long but there are other things to feel that tell you how far bred the cow is. Hard to learn it on your own as well. First time I tried all I found was manure.

 

[Supa Dexta]

Youtube will help. And when starting out you will doubt yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g27b0pW9kw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR-mmhRytVw

 

[dun]

Accurately palpating is as much an art as a science. I know of people that can palapte and be pretty much bang on but can;t AI a cow and get her to settle very often.

 

[TexasBred]

Accurately palpating is as much an art as a science. I know of people that can palapte and be pretty much bang on but can;t AI a cow and get her to settle very often.

YOu taking about me there bro. Why my wife has always been the AI Tech.

 

[TCRanch]

When can you Palpate?

If you're talking about doing it yourself, it will all depend on your skill at palpation. Some folks can't find an 8 month calf whereas others more skilled can determine down to 3 weeks pregnant. As far as simply doing it I suppose you can do it anytime, just wait until you know any calf inside should be at least 2-3 months developed. I simply watch for observed heat after breeding. If none observed I might palpate at 3 months. Use to do it much earlier but no real need to now.

Got that right! Working the cattle last Oct & one of the guys helping us not only has a degree in Animal Science but is a full time Cowboy, that's all he's ever done. Preg checked a 9 year old cow, said she was open. I'll be damned if 2 weeks later she bagged up & spit out an 80 lb heifer. Whoops! But I did cut him some slack (after giving him a hard time) because he's all of 5'5" & she's 1900 lbs, tall & long.

 

[TexasBred]

Youtube will help. And when starting out you will doubt yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g27b0pW9kw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR-mmhRytVw

Only watched the first video so far. Only thing I noticed differently was that when he inserts his left arm into the cow he has the cow's tail on the right side of his hand. This always put unnecessary pressure on my hand and limited my motion so I always make sure the tail is on the left (outside) edge of my hand. Not a big deal but one that has negative affects if you have a large group to palpate at one time.

 

[Son of Butch]

When can you Palpate?

36 days after insemination... 40 days is better

 

[littletom]

My wife is a vet they taught her in school to use your off hand, suppose to be more sensitive. May help you mite not. All of our working set ups are backwards to a lot to a lot peoples, because she does everything on that end left handed.

 

[Nesikep]

I am lefty but normally do that stuff right handed

 

[TexasBred]

My wife is a vet they taught her in school to use your off hand, suppose to be more sensitive. May help you mite not. All of our working set ups are backwards to a lot to a lot peoples, because she does everything on that end left handed.

Same way I was taught. Right hand is worthless for me palpating.

 

[Lazy M]

When can you Palpate?

If you're talking about doing it yourself, it will all depend on your skill at palpation. Some folks can't find an 8 month calf whereas others more skilled can determine down to 3 weeks pregnant. As far as simply doing it I suppose you can do it anytime, just wait until you know any calf inside should be at least 2-3 months developed. I simply watch for observed heat after breeding. If none observed I might palpate at 3 months. Use to do it much earlier but no real need to now.

Got that right! Working the cattle last Oct & one of the guys helping us not only has a degree in Animal Science but is a full time Cowboy, that's all he's ever done. Preg checked a 9 year old cow, said she was open. I'll be damned if 2 weeks later she bagged up & spit out an 80 lb heifer. Whoops! But I did cut him some slack (after giving him a hard time) because he's all of 5'5" & she's 1900 lbs, tall & long.

Wouldn't be too hard on him it can be harder to tell when they are within a week or 2 then a month out. I think the calf turns and drops in the birth canal as they get prepared to exit..

 

[M-5]

never been to school for it and WILL NOT call how long yet but most everytime I have one in the chute I glove up and feel around. This does 2 things for me. 1, it get the cow used to being still while i explore and will help when I start AI'ing some of the older cows. 2, It lets me get a little practice on palpitation, I take notes on what I feel and when they calve i go back and write down how many months they were when I palpitated. I will eventually take a palp course if one comes close enough to here.

 

[Lucky_P]

Right-handed, but palpate with my left.
My wife (also a DVM) does the breeding - I can't imagine being able to pass that insemination gun... especially on a virgin heifer... just don't see how y'all do it... 'course my carpal tunnel doesn't help.

 

[TexasBred]

The blood in the umbilical cord should have been roaring like Niagara falls and the artery huge even if he didn't feel the calf. This can be felt from about 5 months forward to calving. He probably didn't know to feel for it.