Reproductive Services - Olney-Sandy Spring Veterinary Hospital

Reproductive ServicesDigital Empathy2024-05-14T15:51:03+00:00

Reproductive Services

The highest standards of care for breeding.

Reproductive Services

At OSSVH, our veterinarians have special interests in the latest techniques and procedures for breeding dogs and are recognized for their expertise among veterinarians and breeders. We offer complete reproductive services at our animal hospital, ranging from pre-breeding exams through high-risk or planned cesarean sections. Our areas of expertise include:

Best time to breed
Artificial insemination
Whelping
Pregnancy and ultrasound
Neonatal care
Female fertility
Male fertility
Freezing semen
Chilled semen

Best Time to Breed

The availability of frozen and chilled semen makes it possible for breeders to choose a stud dog from anywhere in the world. However, knowing when to breed requires knowledge of the estrus cycle.

Artificial Insemination

In addition to natural breeding, OSSVH offers artificial insemination (AI) with fresh, chilled, or frozen semen. AI techniques include vaginal insemination,

Pregnancy and Ultrasound

Following breeding, we will provide a timeline of recommended diagnostics to confirm pregnancy via ultrasound, puppy count by x-ray, and a due date.

Whelping

Whelping can be a stressful time for both the owner and the bitch. There are many signs that indicate whelping time is near (within 12-24 hours), such as:

Neonatal Care

Successful conception, gestation, and whelping are only the first parts of a successful breeding. Neonatal puppies are most vulnerable during the first 3 weeks of life. At OSSVH, we counsel breeders on

Female Fertility

OSSVH offers consultations, examinations, and appropriate testing for all bitches, but we also provide counseling and diagnostics to help those breeders whose bitches are not getting pregnant,

Male Fertility

To evaluate male fertility, we perform a complete exam on the male, including collecting and evaluating semen. There are many abnormalities that can be seen and

Freezing Semen

OSSVH has been a certified AKC freezing center since 1996. We store and inventory frozen semen in our hospital and clients have complete control over the use of their dogs' frozen semen. Upon request,

Chilled Semen

Insemination with chilled semen is the most common method of breeding when a significant distance separates the female and male. Shipping chilled semen involves collecting the male,

Whelping

Whelping can be a stressful time for both the owner and the bitch. There are many signs that indicate whelping time is near (within 12-24 hours), such as:

Drop in Temperature: Owners should take the rectal temperature of the bitch every 12 hours starting 5-7 days before the anticipated due date. Typically, 8-24 hours prior to delivery, the temperature will drop significantly, about 2 degrees, to 97-98°F.
Loose stools or vomiting
Decrease in appetite
Nesting/digging
Increased mucoid vaginal discharge
Milk in mammary glands

Signs that there is a problem during whelping (indicating you should contact a veterinarian) include:

You think the bitch is OVERDUE and nothing is happening
More than 63 days from ovulation (not from breeding)
More than 24 hours from when the rectal temperature dropped (~98°F)
The bitch has been panting, pacing, and/or digging for more than 12 hours with no other impending signs of labor
Water breaks and no signs of puppies or impending labor within 2 hours
The bitch is pushing hard for 30 minutes with no puppy visible or palpable in the canal, or the puppy is not progressing through the birth canal
Longer than 60-90 minutes between puppies
She stops labor and you know there are more puppies to deliver (based on previous X-ray)
Vaginal discharge is:
- GREEN—Indicates placental separation
- EXCESSIVELY BRIGHT RED—Indicates hemorrhage
- BROWN and malodorous—Indicates a possible infection
Something just doesn’t seem right!

The start of the whelping process is often indicated by a large clear fluid discharge (“water breaking”). The bitch will start pushing as a puppy enters the birth canal and the intervals between contractions will decrease as the strength of the contractions increases. It is best to keep people and other animals away from the bitch during delivery to minimize stress.

A puppy is born surrounded by a sac that resembles a water balloon. The mother usually breaks this sac and stimulates the puppy to breathe by licking it. If the mother is a first-timer and doesn’t do this, you will need to break the sac gently and remove all membranes from the puppy’s nose.

Then, suction out the mouth and nose with a pediatric bulb syringe and rub the puppy vigorously with a warm towel to stimulate breathing. You can also pinch it at the top of the neck behind the head to help it take a deep breath. Do not swing the puppy—this can cause brain damage similar to shaken baby syndrome.

Once the puppy is crying and breathing well, if the bitch has not already bitten the umbilical cord, tie it off about ¾ inch from the body and then again about 1 inch from the body with dental floss. Cut the cord between your two ties and dip the end in an iodine solution.

It is important to let the bitch lick the puppy to help them bond. Then place the puppy on the mammary gland. Nursing the first milk, called colostrum, gives the puppy antibody protection and stimulates more uterine contractions to assist the bitch with continued whelping and uterine contraction.

You will want to be certain that all the puppies have been delivered when she appears to be done. If you are unsure, you should bring her in for an X-ray to confirm that all the puppies have been born.

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