females don't get pregnant - is there anything I can do? - Page 1

I am having fertility problems with 2 females and would be grateful for any suggestions as to how I can improve the chances next time. I am planning to get both of them re-checked for brucellosis and for thyroid levels. I realise that as they get older the chances get less... The first is 6 years old, has cycles every 6-7 months (though often split heat) is receptive for a long period and breeds normally. She has had 2 consecutive litters but failed to conceive all other attempts, including the first two attempts. Her last litter was born in October 2006... The last two times she was bred every other day during her receptive period. Also the last two times she showed signs of false pregnancy (going off food etc.) from around 3-4 weeks in but these symptoms lasted for the rest of what would have been the pregnancy and a little beyond, instead of just a few days. She has been tried with different males each time. She seems healthy and active and is a very beatutiful female with excellent temperament. The second is 5 years old, had 3 litters with no problem, but recently does not conceive. Her last litter was born in June 2007, since then we have tried unsucessfully 3 times I think the problem here is her cycles are too frequent, they started off being four months but this time has been getting less and last two or three were under 3 months. I read that hormones (cheque) can be used to delay the cycle and let the uterus recover - has anyone had any experience with this? Again, she seems healthy, she had small litters but has produced good quality puppies. Both these girls are family members, so will not be retired to another home, but it does seem a shame not to be able to have at least one more litter from each of them, particualrly the first one. Any suggestions??

Dog #2 -
Yes, cycling too often can make a female infertile.
Dog# 1-
Check her for a bladder infection and other blood work ups. If she's got an infection going on she might not concieve.
Or she might get pregnant and loose them. Hence what you thought might be a false pregnancy?
Last resort is to do quantitative progestrone testing and find out when/if they ovulate. Then do a transcervical AI. If this does not work then it's pretty much hopeless.

Good luck!
Debby

I would ask are the damns related? Have the stud checked. I will tell you that sometimes it is as simple that the dont like stud for what ever reason, and dont forget that split heats  can be cause by 2 damns heats too close and will trigger each other. I dont seperate my damn and sire when heat starts until she says Im done with him,as ovalaution times can change and you maybe missing it. the rest advise gets into intervention and I dont go there as nature has reasons, but it does seam strange  that you have the same problem with 2 damns.. Best

I would do a vaginal culture, which is the one you send to a lab and let it grow for 3 days and see if anything shows up. It sounds like to me she has some sort of infection and which just enough to killed the sperm off before it get to the uteris
Some breeders put there females on Batril as soon as they come to heat and some breeders also used Clavamox.

Horse Man

I would also check the thyroid.  You may have some issues there especially with the one who cycles too often.  I do not recommend the hormone therapy as you might risk getting a pyometra.

As they say in Germany, if it is meant to be then it is!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

 

Thanks for your comments. To answer one question, no, they are not related to eachother and the problems they have are different. The second one was fine at first, she took the first three times she was bred (and we did not try on every heat), whie the first one has always been difficult. Last night I was talking to my vet about this and we are going to do the thyroid tests and cultures on both of them. He does not agree that a short cycle in itself causes infertility, he says he spays many females and the uterus is back to normal one month after the heat cycle. He thinks its more likely she may have ovarian cysts that can cause hormonal imbalances and frequent cycling, so we will check this out with an ultrasound. In this case I am not sure if antything can be done... I forgot to mention that the first female did have an ultrasound recently and she does not have any cysts or obvious uterine problems. I accept that if it is not possible its not, and I do not want to do anything that could risk the health of either, I do have descendants of both of them, but I would like to increase the chances if possible. I am giving them both vitamin E supplements now in case this might help...To answer another question, they have been bred with different males each time, all known to be fertile. I do now have a young male in my own kennel suitable for the first female, which makes things a little easier, but not for the second one. Just out of interest, the mother of the second female (who I do not own) had exactly the same problem . three normal litters, then nothng, also very frequent cycles, whereas the mother of the first ( who I also do not own) has been a very prolific breeder...).

 What are you feeding the females? This is very important !
   

They get Royal Canin maxi adult and sometimes A3. Occasionally also home food like cooked meat, liver, vegetables and rice, raw eggs, but mostly the RC.