My Take Tuesday: I thought you were a salesman! 

Sometimes the obvious is subjective. 

It was a beautiful spring morning. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the red sun was just beginning to peek over the majestic Wasatch mountains. 

It was the perfect start to the day for most folks. My day however, had started much earlier. It was pregnancy examination day on the dairy. 

The diagnosis of pregnancy in cattle is made via trans-rectal palpation. A shoulder length glove is worn by the veterinarian. The glove is well lubricated and then the arm, at least up to the elbow, is inserted rectally. Signs such as asymmetrical uterine horns, fluid in the uterus, structures on the developing placenta, or size of the fetus indicate both the presence and stage of a pregnancy. This method is very reliable, and an experienced veterinarian can determine pregnancy as early as 35 days. 

This particular morning, I had performed this procedure on over 150 cows. I was tired but was only halfway finished. 

As I continued with the long line of cows, a gentleman in a cowboy hat came up to me. 

“What are you selling?” he asked. “Excuse me?” I responded. 

He continued, “what company are you with?” 

“I am Dr. Bott, the veterinarian,” I responded. 

“Oh,” he continued, “I thought you were a salesman.” 

I didn’t know how to respond to this. The situation became awkward really fast. 

I have yet to meet a salesman elbow deep inside a cow. 

If you ever do meet one, I would most definitely be skeptical. 

And That is My Take

N. Isaac Bott, DVM