5
FAMILIARISATION
Before commencing measurements it is recommended that the
first time user:
1. Do some measurements on some animals which are evidently in
heat.
2. Do some measurements on some animals not in heat or pregnant.
The functioning of the instrument can be checked in the following way:
Immerse the probe in a vessel of clean water and take a reading.
It should be "1 0" indicating that the measurement scale has been
exceeded as resistance of clean water is great. In practice we will
never exceed the scale because max. vaginal mucus resistance is
many times less than the max. scale.
Next, put a little pinch of salt into the water, mix well, then
immerse the probe again. After addition of salt the result is clearly
lower than before. Salt lowers the resistance of the solution (less
resistance-lower result). Addition of some more salt lowers the
result even further.
This experiment shows well how the instrument works. It also
serves to demonstrate how the presence of urine (which contains
salt) on the electrodes causes an abnormal lowering of results.
MEASUREMENTS
Before taking a reading follow these steps:
1.
Check the electrical function of the detector in the open air to
make sure the battery is at proper power. (The LCD should display
the numbers “1 0”)
2.
Prepare a disinfectant to sterilise the probe as indicated in
DISINFECTING.
3.
If the vulva area is dirty, wash and wipe clean.
Taking a reading:
To make the procedure easier (especially with smaller dogs) it is often
convenient to place the bitch on a table or convenient raised surface.
