Hi,

I am new to this forum, but have bred a gundog breed for a number of years (only 3 litters though) I am planning a litter from my youngest bitch, she started showing all the signs of coming into season late June, swelling, cleaning and my castrated male was very interested in her, but no bleeding.  I felt that she may be having a silent season and resigned myself to wait until her next one.  Then last week she stared cleaning and swelling again and my male has been trying to mount her for the last few days, still no blood.   The owner of the stud dog suggested taking her to the vet for blood tests or a swab to find out where we are with her, I did this today and told the vet I thought she was having a silent season but she had never heard of this...not much help there then!   She has taken a blood test and I should get the result tomorrow, but she seemed to think it will only tell me if her season has passed!

Has anyone had any experience of this and if so, does the bitch come into season properly shortly after or will we wait 6 months, or can I breed from her during a silent heat and how will I know when???  When she had her normal season she would flag to Ringo (my castrated male) but stupidly I never checked what day it usually started!

Any advise very welcome!

Many thanks
Bernie

Silent seasons are usually no different to bloody ones in that the bitch will ovulate.

I don't think much of your vet if they are so clueless about the reproductive system.

What blood test have they done as it should be one for ovulation where the levels of hormones are measured, this will show how close to ovulation the bitch is.

That's basically what I have read on the internet.  I seemed to know more about it than she did.  This vet took over the practice a few years ago, the previous one was great and dealt with my other litters. 

She said it was a progesterone test and it would tell me if she had passed or was in her season, and if she was we could then look at doing a swab test, she had to ring the lab for this information!  She also charged £90 for the blood test and said the swab test is about the same...It souned expensive to me, but I need to know what is happening.  I hope this is the correct one!

I should have taken Cassie to the vet who did her hip scores, my vet had never done one and was going to charge £600....Alma Vets in Ascot were very familliar with the proceedure and much much cheaper!

Have you ever used the ovulation test pads?  I have read mixed reviews on these but I think I will need something a little more accurate than my castrated male's instincts!!!!  And at £90 a time it could prove costly via my vet!!!

Many thanks
Bernie

> Have you ever used the ovulation test pads? 

Yes Bernie.  Don't waste your money.  I might just as well used lollipop sticks for all the use they were.

Really....well it looks like it will be down to good old Ringo then!!!! Unless the vet comes up with something.   How did you manage to get the right day..if you did that is?

> How did you manage to get the right day..if you did that is?

My own stud boy told me.  He was somewhat disappointed when he found out that she was travelling to meet Mr Right!  :-)

I bet...poor mite!!

I have the blood test result and her progesterone levels are 1.41, the report says it is not consistemnt with a recent prior ovulation and to do a repeat test on Thursday to acertain the optimal time for mating.   I take it that she is in season then and she had a wipe of light brown/red discharge today.  From what I have read on the net the level at ovulation is 4, but I'm not sure how long it takes to get from 1.41 to 4???

Wish me luck!!! and please continue with any advise as it is more than welcome.

Bernie

> From what I have read on the net the level at ovulation is 4, but I'm not sure how long it takes to get from 1.41 to 4???
>

That is why repeat tests are needed as this can be very variable.

This is why they aim to take the first test sample before the bitch is likely to have ovulated to be sure to catch the point at which it is rising and reaches optimum.

So if her levels are 1.41 would that indicate that she is in season but not yet ovulating, or could she have this level without being in season?  My vet really doesn't know anything about this and is just passing on information from the lab.  I think I will take her to a different vet for the next test.