Reproductive Issues - Page 1

What tests, proceedures, specialty vets, methods, etc. work best when determining the time to breed? What is the best way to get a diffcult female pregnant or determine why she is not getting pregnant?

There are many vets specializing in all areas, especially reproduction. You may want to hook up with someone recommended to you. We use progesterone testing to determine when the bitch is ovulating so that you know exactly when to breed. We have had excellent results with this, used it the last 2 times and have had 2 litters, 10 and 12..... Again, I'd go back to your vet... there are numerous tests that will help in unraveling your mystery... One quick question, any thyroid issues?? that can affect conception, any other immune system problemn... we should assume the bitch has tested negative for brucellosis, right?? ok, guess that's really 3 questions..... all places to start diagnostics but get with a vet.......

Hello Randy just recently managed to get a litter from a female we thought would never get in whelp/carry a litter, consulted a specialist and followed procedure given to the letter, if you want to e mail me can give you full details.

I had a bitch that we tried 4 times to get pregnate and she never took, we did invetro and she had 2 pups. The next time I, under the advice of some other breeders, brought the male to my house and did AI (she would not let a male mount her, very dominate) We AI'd every 12 hours until she wouldn't let us anymore, about 4 days. She had a litter of 7. I did everything first checked all the blood work ect. This is the only way to I will breed this bitch from now on.

We just successfully bred a bitch that was having problems conceiving (18 months since her last litter) and did it with almost daily progesterone testing. For some reason, the vets were having trouble reading her smears and blood tests were the way to go. We have 8 pups due next week from this method and from now on, with this girl, that's going to be what we'll do every time. JDN - US

Randy, I am lucky, I have a super breeding vet within 45 minutes of my house. When I get a new female I go ahead and follow her through her first heat, start to finish. Some say that is not needed but I want to give the female every chance to have full litters everytime if possible. We start with smears until the female is 70% cornified then we start the progesterone and follow until she spikes and after to make sure she has a normal fall off. Having a breeding vet within driving distance is a must. Later, DJ

One thing I didnt notice mentioned is need for determining IF the bitch is having difficulties concieving, OR is she getting pregnant and absorbing. THAT might help unravel the mystery and give clue as to what *options* YOU feel are viable for your bitch. D.L. Sherman www.naturalpetsource.net

One must wonder, however, whether we are truly doing the breed a service when we start employing extraordinary measures in order to achieve something that is *supposed* to occur naturally. If the bitch won't stand for the stud, or she doesn't conceive, or she conceives and continually resorbs for no apparent reason, maybe we shouldn't be breeding that particular animal. No matter how beautiful, hard-hitting or titled, the fact remains that no single animal holds the salvation of the breed within its genetics...so the breed won't become extinct if we don't breed those bitches who won't stand, won't conceive, or can't whelp without assistance and/or intervention.

Our problem was with a bitch who would stand throughout her cycle, even though she wasn't ovulating! It takes being able to pin down ovulation to get puppies and the progesterone tests helped us do that. This is a bitch who previously conceived on day 5, now conceiving on day 27. JDN - US

Excellent point Hexe! Problem is, most stud owners wil not allow their stud to follow the same situation nature provides. i.e. Unlimited contact with the bitch by the stud. Progesterone testing to predict LH surge proves that a female does have a norml cycle hence a normal female, trap in an artificial man made environment. In every cycle, the LH surge varies. If you are a breeder and the stud is not yours, and is only given 2 ties, tell me how to apply nature's rules. Now if exogenous hormone manipulation is done to allow pregnancy for a bitch, then that is not natural. Roger.