The female dog

• Within a few days of the start of her heat cycle, make an appointment to have your dog examined. During this first visit, an internal examination will be performed to determine whether everything looks normal. If necessary, a smear test and/or a culture (bacteriological test) will be performed. In addition, a schedule will be set for when to begin monitoring progesterone levels. If necessary, a course of antibiotics can be started now to “clean out” the uterus.

• Blood tests are generally performed every weekday between 8:30 and 9:30. You must make an appointment by phone in advance. A small sample of blood will be drawn from your dog, and an internal examination will be performed if necessary. You will receive the results by the end of the same morning. The progesterone level in the blood normally rises gradually to a value between 12 and 15 ng/ml. Mating should take place around this time. The progesterone level in the blood is a very reliable indicator of the timing of ovulation in your dog. Therefore, by conducting a series of progesterone tests, we can determine the optimal mating time for your female dog with great precision, and in most cases, a single mating will suffice! However, it is crucial that the correct equipment is used for the progesterone test! Many disappointments result from faulty testing!

• Once the progesterone level in the blood is high enough, we’ll know the best time for your dog to be bred, and we’ll advise you to take her to the male dog around that time for breeding.

• In the unlikely event that mating is unsuccessful—for example, because a male dog shows no interest or because the female dog is very frightened—artificial insemination (AI) can be performed. Provided it is performed properly, AI does not significantly reduce the chances of conception. For AI, the male and female dogs must come to the clinic together.

• Any antibiotic treatment may continue to be administered for up to 3 days after mating. This also kills any bacteria that may have entered the uterus during mating.

• Starting about 28 days after mating, an ultrasound exam can determine whether your female dog is indeed pregnant and, if so, approximately how many puppies she is carrying.

Of course, you can always contact us with any questions you may have during your dog’s pregnancy. Our team is also always available to assist you around the time the puppies are born, should any problems arise.