Use of ultrasonography in reproductive management of sheep and goat herds.

Real-time ultrasound evaluation of small ruminants offers an unparalleled range of information regarding pregnancy status, number of fetuses, and gestational age. The advantages of real-time ultrasonography are its sensitivity and accuracy of various diagnoses, its speed, and its safety. Overall flock reproductive management is facilitated through the timely acquisition of information with ewes culled, rebred, or preferentially fed, according to pregnancy status. Breeding dates of pasture-bred does can be assigned with sufficient accuracy to allow parturition induction at term without risk of severe immaturity in kids. Diagnoses other than pregnancy, such as pyometra, nydrometra, fetal resorption, and fetal mummification also can be made using real-time ultrasonography.