Progesterone
How quickly is the progesterone result available?
The result is available within an hour; if you are in a hurry it is worth mentioning this at check-in. Otherwise results are sent to clients alongside other patient work, within 2–3 hours of sampling.
At what progesterone level is a dog mated or artificially inseminated?
Dogs ovulate immature eggs, and good days to mate are 1–3 days after ovulation. Artificial inseminations with frozen semen are done 3 days after ovulation and with fresh semen 2 days after ovulation. The aim of heat monitoring is therefore to determine the time of ovulation as accurately as possible. How high a bitch’s progesterone level rises after ovulation is individual.
Insemination
What is the recommended number of sperm cells in an insemination dose with frozen semen?
For medium-sized and large breeds we recommend about 150–200 million sperm cells, and for small breeds 100–150 million sperm cells.
How many straws are needed for a frozen-semen insemination?
This depends on the quality of the frozen semen, the post-thaw motility, the amount of abnormal sperm, and how many million sperm cells have been packed into one straw. The semen collection form contains the veterinarian’s recommendation for one insemination dose, i.e. how many straws are used per bitch (straws/breeding unit). For medium-sized and large breeds we recommend about 150–200 million sperm cells, and for small breeds 100–150 million sperm cells.
Is the vaginal structure checked in connection with artificial insemination?
The check of the vaginal structure is a separate procedure from the artificial insemination, performed before the insemination during heat monitoring.
Sperm collection
If semen is collected and frozen, how many insemination doses are obtained from one collection?
This depends on the breed; with large breeds you usually obtain several insemination doses from one collection. With the smallest breeds the owner may need to visit a couple of times to collect a sufficient number of sperm cells. The ejaculate of small breeds contains fewer sperm cells than that of large breeds.
How is semen collected from a male?
The veterinarian collects the semen by hand, in the presence of a bitch in heat. For the procedure, the male must accept being touched by an unfamiliar person.
Vaccinations
When is the herpes vaccine given?
The recommendation is to give the vaccine 7–10 days after mating or insemination. A booster is given a further 7–10 days before the due date. The vaccinations must be repeated with every pregnancy.
Heat monitoring
When is heat monitoring started in a bitch?
Heat monitoring is usually started on the 7th day of the heat. If the external signs of heat are very mild, monitoring must be started earlier.
Pregnancy
At what stage is the pregnancy ultrasound done?
The pregnancy ultrasound is best done about 4 weeks after mating.
Anatomy
How is the vaginal structure check performed?
The check of the vaginal structure is done while the bitch is in heat, using endoscopy and palpation.