Progesterone: enhances the effects of estrogen on the female’s brain to provide outward signs of estrus.
Progesterone Testing: Progesterone testing is started about 5-7 days after first sight of blood and can be done every 2-3 days. Testing can be done for two reasons: 1. Breeding or 2. C-section timing.
Breeding: Progesterone increases in the blood stream before ovulation, thus being the prime time to breed. Determining where a patient’s progesterone is at tells the breeder the optimal time to breed their dog.
LH Surge Test (for frozen semen): After the estrogen period the next hormone of significance is the Luteinizing Hormone or LH. LH is the biological trigger for ovulation in mammalian species which we denote as Day 0. Bitches ovulate 48 hours after the LH surge or day 2 post LH. What is unique about the dog is their eggs have to go through a further maturation phase post ovulation so their optimum fertile period is days 4, 5 and 6 post LH surge. The LH surge can be less than 24 hours or as long as 48 hrs.
LH Surge Test (for frozen semen): After the estrogen period the next hormone of significance is the Luteinizing Hormone or LH. LH is the biological trigger for ovulation in mammalian species which we denote as Day 0. Bitches ovulate 48 hours after the LH surge or day 2 post LH. What is unique about the dog is their eggs have to go through a further maturation phase post ovulation so their optimum fertile period is days 4, 5 and 6 post LH surge. The LH surge can be less than 24 hours or as long as 48 hrs.
Caesarean Section (c-section): Progesterone decreases in the blood stream before labor. This is tested to ensure the female is ready to give birth and for us to perform the c-section safely.
Progesterone Testing: Every day starting at day 60 from ovulation.
Brucellosis: Canine brucellosis is a contagious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium, Brucella canis (B. canis). This bacterial infection is highly contagious between dogs. Infected dogs usually develop an infection of the reproductive system, or a sexually transmitted disease. Brucellosis in dogs typically causes reproductive problems such as infertility and abortions, with few other signs of clinical illness. The disease is most common in sexually intact adult dogs.
Brucellosis Testing: Not only can this be spread to humans; remember we want to breed to better the bred. Ensuring both the male and female don’t have this infection is very important to stop the spread and ensure a healthy pregnancy for the female. This is recommended BEFORE breeding and between each breeding.