Progesterone Testing
We recommend that bitches are progesterone tested prior to mating, and this is particularly important for maiden bitches.
In our experience bitches can ovulate anytime from Day 9 to Day 28, and therefore the traditional method of mating on Day 12 and 14 can easily go wrong.
This is why there is an average success rate of 70% with natural matings, as opposed to over 90% when progesterone tested by a reputable laboratory.
Bitches are often nervous and stressed when being brought for a mating (particularly maidens), and react defensively and refuse to stand. Without progesterone testing it is impossible to establish whether the bitch is behaving like this because she isn't ready, or just because she is nervous, in which case it is obviously worth persevering!
Some of the many benefits of numerical progesterone testing are as follows:
Each numerical progesterone test costs between £40-£50, which might sound expensive until one considers that just one extra puppy would cover the cost of six tests!
The first test would typically be done on Day Nine. This can be very helpful if you aren't sure if you accurately identified Day One!
There are several types of progesterone test available;
The problem with the first two tests is that unless they are carried out by someone who is very experienced, then they can be very misleading and a complete waste of money and time.
We recommend the following laboratories:
The results of numerical progesterone tests are given in two different scales; nmol/L and ng/ml.
The conversion of nmol/l to ng/ml is approximately 3.18, so ovulation is at 5 ng/ml and breeding recommended at 11 - 19 ng/ml
Level doubles every 2 days as a general guide
We recommend that bitches are progesterone tested prior to mating, and this is particularly important for maiden bitches.
In our experience bitches can ovulate anytime from Day 9 to Day 28, and therefore the traditional method of mating on Day 12 and 14 can easily go wrong.
This is why there is an average success rate of 70% with natural matings, as opposed to over 90% when progesterone tested by a reputable laboratory.
Bitches are often nervous and stressed when being brought for a mating (particularly maidens), and react defensively and refuse to stand. Without progesterone testing it is impossible to establish whether the bitch is behaving like this because she isn't ready, or just because she is nervous, in which case it is obviously worth persevering!
Some of the many benefits of numerical progesterone testing are as follows:
- Over 90% success rate (as opposed to 70% for untested bitches)
- Less stress for the bitch - re likely to stand and get a 'natural mating'
- Higher litter size
- Saving in time and fuel costs with wasted journeys when the bitch isn't ready
- It is possible to just do one mating instead of the usual two, so just one journey
Each numerical progesterone test costs between £40-£50, which might sound expensive until one considers that just one extra puppy would cover the cost of six tests!
The first test would typically be done on Day Nine. This can be very helpful if you aren't sure if you accurately identified Day One!
There are several types of progesterone test available;
- The swab test that looks at the cells from a smear test
- Pre-Mate tests (a colour swatch) offered by most vets
- Numerical testing in a laboratory
The problem with the first two tests is that unless they are carried out by someone who is very experienced, then they can be very misleading and a complete waste of money and time.
We recommend the following laboratories:
- Idexx 01937 544000
- Canine Pregnancy Scanning 07990 547480
- Fit and Fertile 01772 690014
The results of numerical progesterone tests are given in two different scales; nmol/L and ng/ml.
The conversion of nmol/l to ng/ml is approximately 3.18, so ovulation is at 5 ng/ml and breeding recommended at 11 - 19 ng/ml
Level doubles every 2 days as a general guide
Here are the numbers:
0 – 2 nmol/L or 0 – 0.6ng Baseline concentrations too early to estimate ovulation
3 - 6 nmol /L or 0.9 – 1.8ng Minimum 2 days before ovulation expected however result of 3 - 4 nmol/L may persist for a week or longer before increasing. Earliest estimating breeding 4 - 6 days but could be longer (re test needed)
7 - 12 nmol/L or 2,2 – 3.7ng Minimum 1 day before ovulation. Estimated window for breeding 3 - 5 days but could be longer (re test recommended)
13 - 18 nmol/L or 4 – 5.6ng Ovulation impending or just occurred. Estimated breeding window 2 - 4 days
19 - 31 nmol/L or 5.9 – 9.7ng Ovulation recently occurred. Estimated breeding window 1 - 3 days
32 - 64 nmol/L or 10.6 – 20.2ng Ova have matured, optimal potential for fertility. Estimated breeding window 0 - 2 days
65 - 90 nmol/L or 20.4 – 28.3ng Ova have matured but aging, decreased potential for fertility. Breed at once
Above 90 nmol/L Too late
0 – 2 nmol/L or 0 – 0.6ng Baseline concentrations too early to estimate ovulation
3 - 6 nmol /L or 0.9 – 1.8ng Minimum 2 days before ovulation expected however result of 3 - 4 nmol/L may persist for a week or longer before increasing. Earliest estimating breeding 4 - 6 days but could be longer (re test needed)
7 - 12 nmol/L or 2,2 – 3.7ng Minimum 1 day before ovulation. Estimated window for breeding 3 - 5 days but could be longer (re test recommended)
13 - 18 nmol/L or 4 – 5.6ng Ovulation impending or just occurred. Estimated breeding window 2 - 4 days
19 - 31 nmol/L or 5.9 – 9.7ng Ovulation recently occurred. Estimated breeding window 1 - 3 days
32 - 64 nmol/L or 10.6 – 20.2ng Ova have matured, optimal potential for fertility. Estimated breeding window 0 - 2 days
65 - 90 nmol/L or 20.4 – 28.3ng Ova have matured but aging, decreased potential for fertility. Breed at once
Above 90 nmol/L Too late