Progesterone testing in bitches ??

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

robin scott — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:25:42 GMT

Thanks to all for your replies, would have answered sooner but personal events took over and time was at a premium - all sorted satisfactorily.

I used the belt,braces and self supporting trouser routine, using lab, premate and ovulation strip.

Richard Carter - I used the full box of Premate tests (5) at 2day intervals with good results showing ovulation taken place on Easter Sunday - last test was on the Monday

Joyce Whitehead - took a sample for lab on the Wednesday, however courier didn't uplift. Panic stations at practice but they discovered that SAC were open over Easter, sample then taken on Friday which showed her in proestrus. Monday sample showed she had ovulated on the Sunday.

Villagevet - checked internet and discovered strips called Ovulation pads and ordered some -arrived promptly. Just like dip sticks, and used one morning and night. change in colour from a bright pink to purple when ovulation occurs, this took place on Sunday night. therefore assumed ovulation took place in the afternoon.

If I had had confidence in my own limited experience I would have put Sunday as day 11 and would mate days 12 and 14, but having been out of the game and really wanting a litter for a companion/replacement wanted to dot the i's and stroke the t's.

The in house test I was wondering about was - did Idexx or any others have a progesterone assay disc that could be used in their analysers ??

All systems I used worked to my satisfaction -take time with Premate, strips good for keeping clients happy and labs the best if clients and dogs don't mind repeat visits, applies to Premate as well.

Just about forgot the most important part - got a tie - now the waiting begins !!

Thanks once again for all your help

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

Lindsey Edwards — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 19:55:06 GMT

There are also colour change swabs available which are sensitive to LH for breeders showing some very positive results - don't know if you could have them ordered and delivered in time?

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 09:12:16 GMT

IDEXX do a progesterone test.

Blood one day (Serum) , result the next day, used by lots of breeders in South Wales. It costs about £30.

Neil

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

Stephen Courtney — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 08:00:48 GMT

The consensus among people who know is that the in house premate test is pretty inaccurate. It is OK to spot a progesterone fall in a whelping bitch if you are worrying about the timing for a caesarian, but if you are planning a mating, especially one with financial consequences to the owner, then its best to submit to a proper lab.

Vaginal cytology is pretty easy, and if you aren't familiar with what to look for there are books!

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

Julian Earl — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 07:47:04 GMT

VonAQ copy/paste from notes Imade after listening to Angelika Von Heimendahl , a European specialist in this topic:

Unnecessary to do more frequently than 48 hourly (for timing of mating).Looking for high progesterone, then a low , which gives you a four-day window to mate. Must test until ovulation occurs.

Test results: clear = high progesterone. If you have this result it does indicate that bitch has ovulated during the last 60 days but does not indicate when. Looking for a low progesterone, then a high, . Then you have the four day window for mating.

Ovulation occurs at 5-7ng (=10 -15nmol). MUST test until ovulation has occurred, NOT just until the “imminent” result is obtained because some bitches will be “imminent” for one week.

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

Beats — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:11:39 GMT

I think it's hard to beat quantitative progesterone for this sort of thing.

You can make your own enquiries, but https://www.k9progesteroneuk.co.uk/progesterone/ might be worth delving into the detail.

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

Joyce Whitehead — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:39:40 GMT

Our lab (NWL) is pretty good at accuracy, so if we test at around day 7 they might say mating likely to be day 12, based on the expected progesterone rise. So I'd test weds to get a result Thursday and see where you are then.

RE: Progesterone testing in bitches ??

Richard Carter — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 17:20:04 GMT

premate still available - just you need to order a multiple test kit - think 5 tests minimum. There are breeders that run postal service for premate testing as well if you don't want to buy the whole box - I know a few of my clients just want a blood sample and they pack and post to whoever

I prefer vaginal cytology to pinpoint the ovulation as can be done in-house and costs a microscope slide