What do I need to know if I want to breed my dog?
One of the biggest things is whether or not your dog is truly fit for breeding. This includes checking if your dog is healthy enough for reproduction and if it is genetically fit. There are a lot of screening tests for specific breeds that can help determine these factors. One of the most well-known concerns involves the hips in Labradors and German Shepherds. To address this, we conduct several different tests here to assist in screening. Moreover, considering the various breeds and their specific issues, along with our advancements in genetics, we have reached a point where we can assess numerous aspects of different breeds.
Dr. Shane Pedersen
Westside Family Pet Clinic
How do I get these screening tests done?
If you are the owner of the dog, finding out which test is best for your breed of dog is a good start. As veterinarians, we are usually responsible for doing a lot of those tests or sending those tests out. It depends on what test you need, and then we move forward from there.
If we're having issues, do you offer an infertility consultation?
Yes, infertility consultations are a good place to start when getting ready to breed a dog. We start with the history to find out what exactly has been going on so we know where we are and where we want to go with everything. Obtaining samples, typically from the male, is the next step. We usually collect a sample and can conduct tests on-site to determine whether the dog is fit or not. In the case of many females, we often need to obtain samples, usually in the form of a culture and sensitivity test, to identify any underlying infections. The good news is that all these tests can be conducted right here. Our process typically begins with a thorough history because understanding the past events usually provides the best insight into the future.
Do you offer dog progesterone testing as well?
Yes, we do offer dog progesterone testing. It takes us about 20 minutes to run that test, so we know quickly whether or not the female is ready to breed.
Do you offer artificial insemination or surgical insemination?
Yes, we offer regular artificial insemination a lot, especially for different breeds. We also provide transcervical insemination, where we use a specialized camera and our equipment to make sure that we place the semen in exactly the right spot. The advantage of using nonsurgical insemination is the absence of anesthesia, surgical incisions, and the risk of infections. It's a much smoother process, and importantly, it ensures that the semen is deposited in the same location as in surgical insemination.
How do you evaluate a dog's pregnancy status?
The first thing we like to do is an ultrasound in 30 days. At 30 days, the fetuses are large enough that we can see them and often we can count them accurately. Then we wait till day 55 of the pregnancy and that is when we can take an x-ray to evaluate how many puppies are in the abdomen of the dog.
Can my dog have a cesarean section?
Yes, we do perform cesarean sections. We've conducted cesareans on several different breeds of dogs. There are many different things that can happen that can lead a dog down the path of cesareans. It's unfortunate but also fortunate in the sense that it can be done and we can often get those puppies out safely.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (402) 844-4738. Please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram