Determining the Viability of a Bovine Fetus – Vet Guide 2025 🐄❤️

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. Fetal loss is a major challenge in beef and dairy herds. Accurate assessment of fetal viability helps ensure healthy pregnancies and live calves. In this 2025 guide, explore key evaluation tools—ultrasound, fetal heartbeat monitoring, PAG testing, risk factors—and how Ask A Vet supports effective monitoring and intervention.

1. Fetal Loss Rates & Risk Dynamics 📊

Beef herds experience ~5.8% embryonic/fetal loss; dairy herds see 10–20%. Loss risk increases after:

• Transport or environmental stress
• Systemic illness in the dam
• Embryo transfer or IVF pregnancies

Fetuses from assisted reproductive technologies tend to be more valuable but also more vulnerable.

2. Assessing Fetal Health & Survival Chances 🧬

Fetal viability involves two main questions:

1. How is the fetus developing in utero?
2. What are its chances of survival once born?

3. Diagnostic Tools for Fetal Viability

a. Transrectal Examination

Veterinarians can detect gestational age and fetal position via palpation, but this method provides limited information on fetal health or placental status.

b. Ultrasound Exam

• Visualizes fetal heart rate, movement, and position
• Assesses placental integrity and fluid volume
• Heartbeat reference: ~200 bpm at 2 months gestation, declining to ~100 bpm before calving

c. PAG (Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein) Testing

• Serum PAG levels correlate with placental function
• Higher levels indicate a stronger, more viable pregnancy
• Lower levels may signal risk of fetal loss
• Note: IVF or cloned pregnancies often show higher PAG levels due to larger placentas

4. Interpreting Fetal Heart Rates 💓

• 200 bpm early pregnancy (60 days)
• ~100 bpm near term
• Rates below expected norms may indicate distress

5. PAG Testing in Practice

• Blood samples can be collected during routine herd health work
• Send to diagnostic labs and compare to reference ranges
• Drops in PAG over time suggest placental compromise or fetal loss

6. Risk Factors & Management Strategies

• Recent stress: reduce movement and provide calm housing
• Health monitoring: fever, mastitis, or metabolic diseases require prompt veterinary attention
• Extra care after IVF: close ultrasound monitoring during early gestation
• Premature deliveries: confirm viability tools are in place

7. How Ask A Vet Supports You 📱

• 📅 Personalized pregnancy exam schedules
• 🔍 Guidance on ultrasound technique and fetal heartbeat interpretation
• 🧪 Interpretation of PAG results and deciding follow-up testing
• 🛠 Management plans for at-risk pregnancies
• 📊 Record tracking tools for fetus monitoring and loss prevention

8. Monitoring Schedule Recommendations

• 30–45 days post-breeding: confirm pregnancy via ultrasound or palpation
• 60–90 days: fetal heartbeat and health check
• Mid-gestation: repeat heartbeat/PAG as needed based on risk
• Late gestation: address stressors and confirm viability

9. Early Intervention & Follow-up

• Declining PAG? Monitor closely for bacterial or metabolic causes
• Low heart rate or abnormal placenta? Isolate and provide nutritional support
• Implement veterinary interventions as needed (e.g., antibiotics, anti-inflammatories)

10. 2025 Summary Highlights

• Fetal loss remains a serious concern in both beef and dairy cattle
• Ultrasound and heartbeat are direct tools for viability indication
• PAG measurement offers early prediction of placental health
• Stress and reproductive technologies increase risk—monitor accordingly
• Ask A Vet offers data-driven fetal monitoring strategies

Conclusion

Monitoring fetus viability is essential for healthy calving outcomes. By combining ultrasound, heartbeat tracking, PAG testing, and herd management protocols, you can significantly reduce fetal loss. Let Ask A Vet guide you step-by-step through monitoring schedules, risk assessment, and targeted interventions—ensuring better pregnancy outcomes and stronger herd performance in 2025 and beyond. 🐄🔍✅