Veterinary Ultrasound Pregnancy Visualization Identifying Multiple Fetuses Early

As veterinary reproductive medicine advances, the ability to detect multiple fetuses early in gestation has become increasingly important. For both livestock producers and small-animal practitioners, early identification of twins or more fetuses offers significant benefits: optimized nutrition plans, tailored herd management, risk reduction in delivery, and improved overall welfare. This article explores how modern ultrasound technologies—from traditional B-mode to 3D/4D and AI-enhanced imaging—are employed worldwide for early, reliable detection of multiple fetuses. It draws on international veterinary research and practice to highlight key principles, benefits, limitations, and future directions.

1. Why Early Fetal Multiplicity Matters

Economic and Welfare Considerations

In ruminant and equine production, multiple pregnancies pose both risks and opportunities. For example, in dairy cattle, twin pregnancies can increase pregnancy loss, dystocia, retained placenta, and even freemartinism, leading to economic losses and animal welfare concerns. Conversely, identifying twin or triplet pregnancies early in goats and sheep enables breeders to implement precise nutritional strategies—boosting fetal survival and offspring growth .

Clinical Advantages in Companion Animals

In bitches and queens, early recognition of multiple fetuses supports planning for elective Cesarean sections, resource allocation, and monitoring for potential complications. Ultrasonography allows veterinarians to assess embryonic viability and count concepti as early as day 22 in dogs .

2. Techniques and Modalities

2.1 B‑Mode (2D) Ultrasonography

This remains the standard in most clinical settings. In cattle, transrectal B‑mode scans between day 28–42 achieve nearly 100% accuracy for twin detection, with robust correlation between crown-rump length and gestational age.

In dogs, early detection around day 22 is feasible, with visible fetal heartbeat by day 24. However, counting fetuses correctly often becomes more challenging after day 40, when overlapping uterine horns complicate imaging .

2.2 3D/4D Imaging

Three‑ and four‑dimensional ultrasound are increasingly used in small ruminants and goats. These modalities yield clearer fetal morphology, enhance multiple pregnancy recognition, and aid in selective breeding and nutrition adjustments.

2.3 AI‑Assisted and Portable Tools

Emerging AI-supported ultrasound systems show promise in reducing operator dependency during fetal counting and improving overall diagnostic consistency. Portable, wireless devices are also gaining traction for on‑farm use.

3. Gestational Timing and Detection Accuracy

Cattle

• Pregnancy detection: transrectal scans as early as day 28–30 post‑breeding efficiently identify pregnancy and fetal count.

• Crown‑rump measurements correlate closely (r = 0.98) with gestational age, enabling accurate fetal assessment.

Small Ruminants

Transrectal ultrasound in sheep and goats can detect fetuses and multiples between day 19–29, achieving over 77% detection accuracy.

Dogs & Cats

• Dogs: embryonic vesicles seen ~day 22, heartbeat by day 24. Fetal count accurate before day 35–40.

• Cats: similar detection dynamics, with twin identification even in monochorionic presentations around day 23–25.

4. Benefits of Early Multiplicity Detection

Nutritional Management

Early twin detection allows producers to adjust feed to meet increased maternal energy and nutrient demands—critical in goats, sheep, and cattle to support fetal development and reduce post-natal complications.

Health Monitoring & Intervention

Knowledge of multiple fetuses helps anticipate and prevent gestational issues such as pregnancy loss, dystocia, and retained placenta in livestock, or dystocia and neonatal mortality in companion animals.

Delivery Planning

In small animals, early twin identification assists in making informed decisions about elective cesarean sections, especially for monochorionic twins, who pose higher dystocia risk.

Genetic & Breeding Programs

In small-ruminant breeding, identifying prolific females early enables selective retention or crossbreeding, boosting herd productivity and profitability .

5. Challenges & Limitations

• Operator skill: Accurate fetal counting depends greatly on sonographer experience, especially during later gestation or in polytocous species.

• Anatomical constraints: Obesity, body conformation, and fetal positioning may obscure imaging—particularly after day 40 in dogs and livestock.

• False negatives: Before 21–25 days, ultrasound may not reliably detect pregnancy, resulting in false negatives .

• Risk of misdiagnosis: In cattle, rectal palpation may increase pregnancy loss risk compared to ultrasound, which is safer and non-invasive.

6. Best Practices for Early Multiplicity Detection

1. Optimal timing:

   • Livestock: day 28–35 post-breeding is ideal.

   • Dogs/cats: days 22–35 maximize both visibility and counting accuracy.

2. Appropriate transducer selection:

   • High-frequency (5–10 MHz) for small animals; 3.5–5 MHz for larger species to balance penetration and resolution.

3. Standardized protocols:

   • In dogs/cats: transverse sweep between urinary bladder and colon to locate uterine horns; adjust depth to center fetal sacs.

   • In livestock: systematic transrectal scanning of each uterine horn and ovary region.

4. Image enhancement tools:

   • Doppler helps confirm heartbeat; 3D enables clearer visualization; AI systems assist counting.

5. Follow-up scans:

   • Confirm multiple fetuses around day 60 in cattle to ensure fetal viability.

7. Emerging Technologies & Future Prospects

• 3D/4D ultrasound: Delivers detailed morphological views, enabling better recognition and early management of multiples.

• AI interpretation: Automated detection of fetal heartbeat and counting has potential to improve reliability and efficiency.

• Portable, on-farm systems: Wireless handheld units enable quick, less intrusive scans in field environments .

• Integration with herd/flock software: Linking ultrasound data with management systems enhances tracking, nutrition planning, and reproductive decision-making.

Kết thúc

Veterinary ultrasound has revolutionized the early identification of multiple fetuses in both livestock and companion animals. By detecting twin or higher-order pregnancies from as early as 22 days in dogs and around day 28 in ruminants, practitioners gain critical insights that inform nutrition, monitoring, Nuôi, and delivery strategies. While operator skill and equipment access remain variable, advancements like 3D/4D imaging, AI assistance, and portable devices are democratizing this technology. As adoption increases globally, early pregnancy and fetal multiplicity detection using ultrasound will become foundational in veterinary reproductive practice—enhancing productivity, welfare, and outcomes across species.

References

• Hughes EA, Davies DA. Practical uses of ultrasound in early pregnancy in cattle. Vet Rec. 1989;124(17):456‑8. doi:10.1136/vr.124.17.456

• Szelényi Z, Szenci O, Kovács L, Garcia‑Ispierto I. Practical Aspects of Twin Pregnancy Diagnosis in Cattle. Animals. 2021;11(4):1061.

• PMID/PMC: Time of initial detection… pregnancy in bitches. PMC2868137

• Veterinary Ultrasound Tech Identifying Twin Pregnancies… meat goat breeding. BXLvet.com/news

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Pregnancy Determination in Dogs and Cats.

• Pecchia F, Di Giorgio S, Sfacteria A, et al. Prenatal Diagnosis of Canine and Feline Twins Using Ultrasound. Animals. 2023;13(21):3309.