42 BOVINE OBSTETEICS 



examination to (1) find the empty uterus; (2) recognize the 

 changes of the gravid uterus ; and (3) to search for the foetus. 



Toward the end of pregnancy the diagnosis is easy. At 

 the seventh or eighth month the position of the calf can be 

 established per rectum. At that time a rectal examination is 

 usually unnecessary, as foetal movements detected by external 

 palpation suffice. In law questions, the examination must be 

 complete, and the rectal examination cannot be omitted. 



It is very difficult to diagnose twins in the cow. Simply 

 a great circumference of the belly during pregnancy is no 

 criterion of twins, as many causes, such as dropsy of the 

 foetal membranes, or an excessively large calf, etc., may be 

 the cause of it. 



Whenever we feel a calf and foetal movements on the 

 right as well as left abdominal walls of the cow, one may be 

 reasonably certain of twins. 



In these cases rectal examination is of no great value, 

 although it may be in other cases. As to the diagnosis of a 

 dead foetus, see "Premature Birth" (partus prcematur lis), 



DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OP PREGNANCY, 



In the diagnosis of pregnancy it is desirable to be ac- 

 quainted with those morbid conditions simulating gestation. 

 There are many abnormalities in the cow inducing the owner 

 to believe that the animal is pregnant. As a close observer, 

 he may notice certain phenomena which cause him to think 

 that the course is abnormal, for which reason he consults the 

 veterinarian. 



One of the diseases in the cow resembling pregnancy is 

 dropsy of the belly, — ascites. In these patients the rectal 

 examination is decisive. By pushing with the cone-shaped 

 hand against the right abdominal wall, the fluctuations of the 

 transudation can often be heard; but in cows suffering with 

 clironic intestinal catarrh, the liquid intestinal contents may 

 produce a similar noise (Harms). Very large tumors may 

 lead to mistakes in the diagnosis of pregnancy. Harms met 

 with an ovarian tumor in the cow weighing 13 kg. (26 lbs.) 



