02/01/2021
Case Study (using notes taken at each stage at the time) 4 year old Labrador second litter Relatively easy matings on first breeding occasion with an inexperienced local dog. Two short ties Vaginal smear 2 days after second mating showed metoestrus and bitch growly at teaser dog. 7 puppies born Second breeding approx 1 year later. Day 8 va**nal smears started proestrus slide. Day 11 va**nal smear showed proestrus slide. Bitch slightly twitched tail to side snapped at teaser dog. Day 13 va**nal smear slightly pink in colour va**nal opening feels more relaxed and open. Bitch turning tail to other bi***es but not to teaser dog and very growly. Smear showing late proestrus/early oestrus higher percentage on non nucleated cells but still some debbri in background . Day 15 va**nal smear still as above some blood on swab. Stood still for teaser dog for a while but no tail turn and then growled. Day 16 Smear late proestrus/early oestrus Swab still blood coloured va**na relaxed and reasonably open Day 17 Swab a darker blood colour, early oestrus smear. Turned tail to teaser dog although one small growl. Day 18 va**nal canal well open Visit to very experienced and keen stud dog and experienced stud dog handler. Bitch unhappy with mating in confined space growled and struggled. Allowed to free run in paddock and turned tail held still for natural mating and circa 10 minute tie bitch relaxed during tie although restrained to ensure no sudden movements. Arranged for repeat mating in 48 hours. Day 19 growled at teaser dog smear early metoestrus Blood sample taken to confirm whether ovulation had taken place confirmed at 75.7 nmols/litre (results confirmed 36 hours later) Due to bi***es behaviour the planned second mating was not undertaken. Progesterone result was consistent with ovulation probably 48 hours before on day 17 meaning eggs (ova) were ripe/ready for implantation by the s***m 2 days later on day 19 the s***m having been made available by the mating on day 18. A further smear was taken on day 20 consistent with definite metoestrus. Scanned in pup and 6 puppies born naturally 58 days after the mating so genuinely early Conclusion a lot of different types of evidence were used to determine the time to mate and confirm ovulation had occurred in this bitch. Behaviour, va**nal smears, blood progesterone, relaxation/openness of the va**na and a teaser dog. It was interesting because for this bitch at this season there was only a very small window in which a "natural" mating could occur Also given this mating was day 18 it is noted that it is not uncommon for bitch owners to believe their bitch has finished it's season and OK for competition at day 14 when many will still not be ready to mate and when the v***a has softened and smaller in size and physically ready to enable mating to take place (very distracting for male dogs). Images and more detailed descriptions of the appearance of va**nal slides at each stage can be seen on my web site. Leospring labradors/ breeding advice/ tests for ovulation
