Introduction

Uses

• Rectal examination can achieve surface palpation of organs and viscera within the caudal abdomen. This may be beneficial for assessment of the urogenital tract of males and females, and for pregnancy diagnosis.

Advantages

• Non-invasive, simple, cheap, and useful technique.
• Easily performed on farm.
• Allows surface palpation of organs that cannot be imaged by percutaneous ultrasonographic examination.
• Three-dimensional assessment of the shape and position of those organs (whereas 2D ultrasonography and radiography are limited to images in two dimensions).
• Assessment of the texture of the organs, as well as their shape and position.

Disadvantages

• Although performed commonly, rectal palpation is an invasive technique and as such there should always be justification for its use and consideration given to ensuring optimal animal welfare.
• Rectal tears may occur Rectal tear: surgery.
• Limited to caudal abdomen.
• Viability of fetus/embryo cannot be visually assessed.
• Injury to the handler or veterinarian is not uncommon.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Bowman  T R (2011) Direct Rectal Palpation. In: Equine Reproduction.  Eds: McKinnon  A O, Squires E L, Vaala  W E & Varner D D.  Wiley Blackwell,  UK.  pp 1904-1913.
• Ginther  O J (1979) Characteristics of the Ovulatory Season. In: Reproductive Biology of the mare. Ed:  Arbor A.  McNaughton and Gunn Inc, USA. pp 133-168.
• Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety (online) Clinical Examination of the Cow - Clinical Examination Routine - Back to the Tail End. University of Glasgow, UK. Website: www.gla.ac.uk.
• Wenzel J C (online) Beef Bull Breeding Soundness Examination. New Mexico State University, USA. Website: https://pubs.nmsu.edu.