SIGNS OF PREGNANCY. 



It is of great importance in many cases to determine the ex- 

 istence or non-existence of pregnancy. In the examination of 

 mares in case of sale, it becomes highly important that the 

 veterinarian should be able to determine definitely if the animal 

 be pregnant or not. If desired for breeding purposes, the 

 greatest proof that can be established of the breeding power of 

 a female animal is the fact that she is pregnant. When 

 a mare is being purchased wholly for work it is important 

 to determine in advance if she is pregnant or not, since the 

 condition of pregnancy may interfere seriously with her useful- 

 ness. In the cow also it frequently becomes desirable to determine 

 for the owner or prospective buyer whether pregnancy exists or 

 not. In cows which are used for dairy or breeding purposes, it is 

 essential that they be capable of breeding and it is frequently a 

 very important question to the owner to decide whether a cow 

 shall be retained for breeding or dairy purposes or whether she 

 shall be sold to the butcher as sterile, and this can only be de- 

 termined either by an intelligent investigation by the veterinarian 

 or by awaiting the time for parturition to occur, which latter 

 method may occasion a very considerable loss to the owner because 

 of the delay. 



In all animals, it is important that we should be able to 

 differentiate between pregnancy and certain diseases, which may 

 more or less closely simulate that condition. 



There are many signs of pregnancy which have more or less 

 value, but the vast majority of them are somewhat erratic and 

 liable to mislead. It not infrequently occurs that an animal is 

 regarded as pregnant for a long period of time and presents the 

 general appearance of that condition, but finally fails to bring 

 forth young, while in other cases, which may be even more de- 

 deceptive, there are but slight external appearances of pregnancy 

 and the owner is surprised when parturition unexpectedly occurs. 



The veterinarian should consequently be able to speak 

 positively regarding the question of pregnancy in a domestic 

 animal and, doing so, he needs to know and consider all symptoms 

 or signs which have any relation to the question. 



384 



