Two AI Questions

[inyati13]

First, what is the risk of causing a reproductive or urinary tract infection as a result of the AI process? Particularly if the subject defecates on the gun shaft while it is being manuvered through the vagina. I had this happen yesterday. Despite having a clean vulva when I started, it was not when I finished. Seems almost impossible to keep clean while you are in the process.

Second, I know you need to be gentle and there is really no need to be forceful but how likely is it to damage the intestine or reproductive tract?

Taking these questions together, if you disturb the surface of the mucus membranes and are speading bacteria around seems like the ideal conditions for starting infections.

 

[dun]

The crap on the pipette is only a problem if it's in the first inch or so. or worse a little plug of manure in the very end. As to the damage to the tract, in school I did see cows that had there tract (usually the blind pouch) punctured. That was from too much pushing and shoving in the cow and using too much force. That'swhy you work the cervix over the pipette in stead of pushing the pipette through the cervix. That is actually a pretty tough and strong bunch of tissue. When you think of it expanding to birth a calf and some really fumble handed people trying to pull a calf you get the idea.

 

[pdfangus]

I use sheath covers to prevent contamination....first time I saw some, I bought em and have used them ever since....

As Dun posted above. Some people can break an anvil...these people should not be breeding cows....

 

[wbvs58]

The reproductive tract is pretty resistant to infection during oestrus. With natural service the old bull will serve through some pretty grotty fannies without causing problems, pretty amazing really.
Ken

 

[cow pollinater]

I'm fairly clean in my technique but some guys that are really good breeders just slap it in there and don't even try to keep shyt off of the sheath and they have great results as well. Really the tip is the only part that matters as it's the part that goes into the uterine body.

 

[cowgirl_jenna]

Yes, as said it is a delicate process, but with that said, a bull is not always delicate/clean either, but the bull is usually not going through the cervix, so as long as you dont get the end of the rod dirty you should be ok. I have seen some people who always have blood on their glove or ai sheath too after ai'ing, they are prob. being to rough and need to be more gentle. I try to be as gentle as possible and use lube on my glove, it makes a difference especially on smaller breeds or heifers as the cattle don't seem to strain as hard and are less likely to poo while ai'ing.

 

[inyati13]

Yes, as said it is a delicate process, but with that said, a bull is not always delicate/clean either, but the bull is usually not going through the cervix, so as long as you dont get the end of the rod dirty you should be ok. I have seen some people who always have blood on their glove or ai sheath too after ai'ing, they are prob. being to rough and need to be more gentle. I try to be as gentle as possible and use lube on my glove, it makes a difference especially on smaller breeds or heifers as the cattle don't seem to strain as hard and are less likely to poo while ai'ing.

This came up in the class, "Does the bull ever go through the cervix?" Instructor said no, but they sometimes go through the wall of the vagina and damage other parts.

I am only doing one at a time. So I clean my equipment after each event in mild detergent.

I also try to be very gentle and use a lubed glove. I also have long fairly thin arms. But all my cows are very loose with lots of rich green grass, so they all poo while AIing. I close my eyes to keep from getting it in my eyes if they are swishing their tails.

 

[ranchmom77]

We drylot ours once we find them in heat until they are bred either the next am or pm.. Cuts down on the poo! :)

 

[JustSimmental]

First, what is the risk of causing a reproductive or urinary tract infection as a result of the AI process? Particularly if the subject defecates on the gun shaft while it is being manuvered through the vagina. I had this happen yesterday. Despite having a clean vulva when I started, it was not when I finished. Seems almost impossible to keep clean while you are in the process.

When inserting the plastic sheath onto the AI gun leave the plastic wrapper that the plastic sheath comes in on. Just cut the end off - upon reaching the cervix gently pull back the plastic wrapper and insert the AI Gun/ plastic sheath through the cervix like you normally would. Done!

Second, I know you need to be gentle and there is really no need to be forceful but how likely is it to damage the intestine or reproductive tract?

You can damage the repro tract if you force it --so go easy

Taking these questions together, if you disturb the surface of the mucus membranes and are speading bacteria around seems like the ideal conditions for starting infections.
Lastly when beginning any AI program include Vibrio in your 5 way lepto annual Vacc program for all brood cows -- Done!

 

[inyati13]

Thanks, JustSimmental. On the plastic cover for the sheath, I cut the end where the blue insert is located and slide that onto my gun (KombiColor AI syringe which uses unsplit sheath). Then I would need to cut the other end off so that it would be a sleeve so to speak. As you say when I get to the cervix, I would then just pull back the plastic sleeve. Right. So you understand my question, both ends of the plastic cover are going to be cut off before entering the cow. Could you not just pull the plastic cover right through the end w/o cutting? Or would there be concern about a piece of the plastic wrapper plugging the bore of the gun and sheath?

 

[JustSimmental]

Yeah we just pull the plastic back gently w/o cutting -- but I said to cut it for that person --that was having issues as I didnt want to make it harder for them.

The main goal here is cleanliness which this makes it all work better.

JS