Progesterone Test
Measurement of progesterone levels using the Immulite
The equipment (Immulite 2000 XPi) we use to measure the progesterone level in your female dog’s blood is highly accurate.
The problem with many types of “rapid tests” is that, while they are accurate when progesterone levels are very low or very high, they are far too unreliable in the range between 5 and 20 ng/ml. This leads to great disappointment.
Using the Immulite 2000 XPi, we monitor several hundred breeding bitches each year, generally with very good results.
You can have blood drawn for a progesterone test at the following times:
- weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, only at 9:00 a.m.
Due to the government’s stricter policy regarding antibiotic use and the NVWA’s monitoring of this policy, antibiotic treatments will only be prescribed following an abnormal bacteriological test (BO). Incidentally, a BO (conducted just before or immediately at the start of the heat cycle) is only useful for female dogs with fertility issues; even in a healthy dog, bacteria are always cultured from the normal vaginal bacterial flora.
