Bovine Ultrasound Pregnancy Detection

This is an Advanced Training Certificate Program for Alberta Registered Veterinary Technologists. You must be a graduated RVT who is currently working under a registered veterinarian. 

The Veterinary Profession Act allows for a veterinarian to delegate veterinary medical tasks, except diagnosis, surgery and prescribing treatment, to a registered veterinary technologist (RVT) working under the direction and control of the veterinarian. A registered veterinarian who directs or controls a RVT in the practice of veterinary medicine shall

• Provide adequate instruction and supervision of the registered veterinary technologist
• Have in person communication with the registered veterinary technologist
• Ensure that the RVT is competent to carry out the aspects of veterinary medicine that the registered member asks the RVT to perform

The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) council decided, pregnancy detection in beef cattle and small ruminants, by means of ultrasound technology, is a task that may be delegated by a registered veterinarian to a RVT, provided:

• the registered veterinarian give due consideration to the anticipated stage of pregnancy
• the RVT is specifically trained in the procedure by virtue of this Advanced Training Program recognized by council
• the RVT performs the procedure under the indirect supervision of an unrestricted veterinarian
• the owner provides informed consent for this procedure to be delegated to a RVT
• the results of an ultrasonic examination by a technologist must not be used as the basis for development of a treatment plan for the animals, or be used alone as sufficient information for the generation of a prescription by the supervising veterinarian.

This course will have two components:

1. 8 hours of online material and a test that has to be passed before coming for the in-person portion. Students will have 1 week to complete the 8 hours of material and pass the test. 
2. 16 hours (2 days) of in-person hands on material. 

Topics covered in the course include:
Course Outline (On-Line Portion)

• ABVMA policy on Delegation of Pregnancy Detection of Beef Cattle by Ultrasound to RVTs
• The Basics of Ultrasound and the Operation and Features of Bovine Ultrasound Equipment
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Bovine Female Reproductive Tract
• Identifying the Pregnant Uterus with Ultrasound Images
• Identifying the Stages of Pregnancy with Ultrasound Images
• Image Capture and Record Keeping
• Low Stress Cattle Handling
• Setup of Equipment at the Cattle Chute
• Care and Maintenance of the Equipment

Course Outline (In-Person Portion)

• Review of the Anatomy of the Bovine Reproductive Tract – preserved bovine uteruses
• Use of Ultrasound Equipment in the Laboratory – scanning preserved bovine uteruses
• Demonstration of the Features of Various Bovine Ultrasound Units
• Setup of Ultrasound Equipment at the Cattle Chute
• Image Capture and Record Keeping at the Cattle Chute
• Ultrasound scanning techniques for beef cattle – extension arm scanning and arm in cow
• Identification and Retraction of the Bovine Cervix
• Identification of the Pregnant Uterus
• Identification of the Stages of Bovine Pregnancy
• Techniques for Low Stress Handling of Beef Cows
• Safety of Personnel and Ultrasound Equipment at the Cattle Chute

In Alberta, after successful completion of this course, the RVT can perform pregnancy detection in beef cattle using ultrasound. Candidates will have to check other provincial jurisdictions when working outside of Alberta. In the immediate post-course time period, it is important to continue development of proficiency by working closely with the veterinarian delegating the work to the RVT in the veterinary practice. Proficiency typically takes 100 – 200 assessments.

All times are listed in Mountain Time. 

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