Determining Breeding Dates
Breeding dates are determined with various factors in mind.
Type of semen, number of inseminations, type of insemination, and bitches
history can all influence breeding dates.
We recommend that progesterone testing be started between
5-7 days into the heat cycle.
The progesterone tests that we run will help us to determine ovulation. We also
obtain a vaginal cytology sample or “smear” with a sterile swab from the vaginal
lining when we draw the blood for the progesterone test. The progesterone level
from the blood gives us an indication of when the bitch ovulates. There is no
single number for determining the time of ovulation; we are looking for a number
between 4ng/ml to 8ng/ml as the
start of ovulation. Most typical bitches ovulate around 5ng/ml.
The results are evaluated by the doctor keeping in mind the speed of rise, the type of breeding and type of semen. Many times the doctors will recommend
rechecking the progesterone level after the level has reached a level of 5-8 in
order to confirm rise and the rate of the progesterone rise especially with
frozen semen breedings.
For frozen semen breedings, we also use LH (lutenizing
hormone) testing. The LH peak occurs 48 hours prior to ovulation and the
hormone is only detectable for 24 hours. In order to perform the test, we draw
blood every day at the same time. We separate the serum and freeze it daily. We
continue to test the progesterone levels every 2-3 days and when the doctors
feel that the bitch has ovulated, we will test the LH on the frozen serum that
was draw 2 days prior to the suspected ovulation. If the LH test is (+) then we
have confirmed that the ovulation occurred the day they suspected. If the LH
test is (-) then they will determine whether the test should be repeated on the
day before or after the suspected LH peak. There are rare occasions when the LH
peak is not detected
After ovulation, the eggs need time to mature or “ripen” so that they
can be fertilized. The eggs are typically ready 48 hours after ovulation and can
be fertilized for several days. This
is where the type of sperm can change the breeding dates. We can expect fresh
collected semen to last for 24-48 hours or longer, fresh chilled around 24 hours
after insemination and frozen around 12 hours. Of course, the quality of the
semen is a big determining factor in this equation. Typically, we start breeding
a day later for frozen semen and prefer two, sometimes three breeding for
maximum conception rates.
Progesterone Testing Results
We always recommend a Pre Breeding exam with one of our
doctors to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.
Progesterone testing is provided on a walk in basis by our
in house laboratory.
If you arrived by 12pm for your test, the doctor’s
recommendation will be available after 4pm the same day. You may be asked to
recheck another test within 1-3 days or a recommendation for breeding dates will
be relayed to you.
If you arrive after 12pm, your results will be ready by
11am the following business day.
Saturday progesterone tests available before 12pm for same
day results, tests requested after 12pm results will be returned Monday.
Need Faster Results? We can often get faster (STAT)
results (typically 2-3 hours) for an additional $30.
If you need results earlier in the day or you cannot come
in until after 12pm (before 3pm) and
still need same day results, we can run a STAT (faster) test for an additional
$30 and your results will be available in 2-3 hours. STAT's after 3pm are at
office discretion due to maintenance requirements of the lab equipment.
Pre - Breeding Exams
We require a pre-breeding examination prior to
breeding. All bitches need to be examined by a doctor so that you can discuss
your plans, i.e. semen type, history, what type of breeding etc.. This is the
best time to ask any questions that you may have. The doctor will also discuss
any testing that may need to be performed i.e. brucellosis, OFA x-rays, vaginal
cultures or thyroid testing. We recommend that you
schedule your pre-breeding exam for a time just prior to when you expect
your bitch to come into season.
Please feel free to contact one of our
reproductive technicians at any time. They are very knowledgeable and can answer
most of your questions regarding your
breeding at no charge. If you would prefer
to have a telephone consultation with one of our doctors, we can set up a 15
minute telephone consultation for a $35 fee.
C-section Policy
C-sections are sometimes a necessity in a dog breeding program. Our
offices provide c-section services as a pre-planned surgery or on an emergency
or as needed basis for a bitch in distress.
We strongly encourage you to visit the office for an x-ray for puppies and a
progesterone test between day 56-59 of the pregnancy. With progesterone testing,
we can help to determine when the bitch would naturally go into labor. This is
the best time to perform a c-section. The timing will help to ensure that the
puppies are old enough to be born and that milk production and mothering
instincts will be kicking in.
Planned C-sections:
When you know that your bitch will need a c-section because of breed, past
history, risk factors or size of litter, we can schedule your surgery in
advance. The c-section date(s) will be determined by the doctor according to the
breeding dates, and patients’ history in conjunction with progesterone levels.
If you are planning a
surgery and have been asked to come in for progesterone testing, you need to
have the blood drawn by 9:30 am and have the test run STAT for faster results
($30 additional fee). The decision as to whether the c-section will proceed that
day or be postponed, needs to be determined by 12:00pm in order to prevent after
hours charges from being incurred. Our regular surgery hours end at 3pm.
Emergency C-sections:
Sometimes, a c-section is required unexpectedly, when this occurs, we do
our best to accommodate our clients and patients according to the level of
urgency. If the decision to do a c-section is made early in the day, and you
arrive before 12pm, we can usually
get the surgery done by 3pm and avoid after hours fees. ALL
C-SECTIONS PERFORMED AFTER 3PM, OR DURING NON-BUSINESS HOURS WILL BE CHARGED
AFTER HOURS RATES.
On many occasions, we can do c-sections when our office is closed, on
Sundays or on holidays when arranged in advance.
After hours’ fees are charged in order for us to provide an adequate
staff for the safety of your bitch and the puppies.
