Canine and Feline Fertility Flashcards
When do female dogs reach sexual maturity
On average come into season every 6-9 months
Large breeds can be later – can be closer to a year
Signs of a season
Swollen vulva
Bleeding (variability seen with amount)
Licking themselves excessively
Male dogs paying attention to their back end
Female Fertility – Optimal time to mate
From day of ovulation until 4 days after ovulation
How do we know when ovulation has occurred?
Between 9 and 14 days after onset of pro-oestrus
Vaginal cytology – change to cell morphology
Monitoring hormone concentrations – easiest one to measure is progesterone
What is the most common cause for infertility
Breeding at the wrong time
What hormone is easiest to measure for determining pregnancy in dog
Progesterone
‘Heat’ compromises of which two stages of the bitches cycle
Proestrous (7-9 days) and oestrous (7-9 days)
Briefly describe the progesterone test for dogs (to see when they are in heat)
Multiple tests within one kit
Blood sample required - daily or every other day
Serum used to run test
Progesterone increases rapidly 2 days before ovulation
5-8ng/ml at time of ovulation
Colour change of serum determines progesterone level.
Once exceeds 10ng/ml – test will interpret result as mate immediately
Appropriate age to breed a bitch
2- 3 years old
How do we determine the dog is a good candidate to breed
Conformation/body shape
Congenital defects
Any health/disease conditions
Temperament of the dog
Suggest test for german shepards when deciding to breed them
Hip dysplasia screening scheme
Risk test (DNA based)
Suggest test for labradors when deciding to breed them
Hip dysplasia screening scheme
Elbow dysplasia screening scheme
List some important health schemes and tests
Eye screening scheme
Elbow screening scheme
Haemophillia testing for males
Bitches under 2 years to not produce litter
No stud dog to be used below 18 months
When do female cats reach sexual maturity
4-12 months
When is the appropriate time to mate/breed a queen
With the cyclicity of their seasons, not much intervention required.
When do male dogs reach sexual maturity
Maturity around 5-6 months old – breed dependent
Signs of male puberty dog
Humping
Cocking their leg to urinate
Mark their territory
Increased confidence/aggression
When is the appropriate time to use a male dog for breeding
Can impregnate a dog from 5 months old
Most fertile around 12-18 months old
When do male cats reach sexual maturity
Maturity at roughly 8-10 months old
Signs of male puberty cat
Spraying
Roaming
Increased dominance
Most common way of canine artificial insemmination
Intravaginal
When do I artificially inseminate a dog
Inseminate on day of ovulation and two days later
Benefits of Canine Artificial Insemination
Reduced risk of disease transmission
Increases gene pool
Improved fertility results
Dog inexperienced
Success of AI is dependent on
Semen quality
Accurate timing of insemination
Site of deposition of semen
Who is qualified to do AI
undertaken by a veterinary surgeon or a professional with a relevant exemption, such as a registered veterinary nurse under direction.
What method of AI is banned in the UK
Canine surgical artificial insemination
Things to consider/ Questions to ask owner before they decide to breed their dog (10 months male labrador)
- Parent’s history
- Vaccinations
- Physical exam
- Tests ( Hip dysplasia ,Elbow dysplasia , Eye screening)
Do you normally introduce to stud to the bitch or bitch to stud
Bitch to stud (stud in own home)
Things to consider/ Questions to ask owner/ Tests to recommend before they decide to breed their dog via AI (3 year old female bulldog)
- Has she been mated before
- Health status- Has she had surgery before/Severity of BOAS/Skin problems
- When did signs of heat show
- Progesterone test
There are three samples ABC in the progesterone testing kit, Two controls and a sample. How to see when is the best time
When sample is lighter than B (The lighter the more ideal basically)
What happens when sample is lighter than A but darker than b
Ovulation is imminent, test next day
What happens when sample is same colour as B
Mate bitch in 24-48 hours
Concentration of progesterone during oestrous
5-8ng/ml at time of ovulation
