Can anyone tell me where this can be done?
Boy mated for the first time months ago, two ties with in two days but no pups, just wondered if it was worth getting him checked.
Have been asked to use him again, just dont want to waste anyones time.
Thanks

fitnfertile do one i think its £40 plus VAT

Had the bitch had pups before?

Take a sample yourself and look under a microscope. :)

No she was a maiden bitch, the fitnfertile is miles away from us anything closer to the midlands?

Okay how do you do that he is only a 14" at the shoulder size dog.  

Manually into a clean recepticle.  That's what a Vet would do, sometimes with the help of a teaser bitch but not if one isn't available.  Then look under a microscope for movement.  If they're swimming then he's fertile. :)

I did ask my vet but they dont do it, we will have to get a microscope!!!!!!  dont fancy that job though...

:)
It really is so simple I can't believe that your Vet won't do it. :) :)
A childrens' microscope will do or maybe even a good magnifying glass?

We may need to give it a go if thats what it takes.  Thanks, i was rather surprised the vets said they dont aswell!!!!! 
It is a training hospital too so they could have done a good lesson there...

> It really is so simple I can't believe that your Vet won't do it. :-) :-)
>

You would think so wouldn't you.

I had used a dog in Sunderland (a long way from Bristol) on my young maiden bitch, he was 7 and had only ever sired once.

Next time I thought I would try him on proven dam of other bitch, but to save wasted journey etc asked owner to get vet to test a sample, they refused point blank, suggesting she get it herself and bring it in!  Bit pointless if your checking for live motile sperm!!!

I have a number for a vet in Weston SM if of any use? PM me if needed

Fit n Fertile have been recommended ... he can take sperm, however, he is not a vet.  He was recommended to me last year, I went, we found no sperm.  So, paid fee.  I wasn't expecting there to be no sperm (thought a late mating) which is why I went to a non-vet.  OK, but on top of that fee for taking sperm I then had to pay further fees to a specialist vet to re-take sperm (months later 'cause I couldn't find a bitch in season - that led to much distress on my part, sleepless nights and worry) and to discover why no sperm.  My recommendation would be go to a vet - if your own wont do it (mine wouldn't) then go to a specialist vet.  It may be more expensive, but if he's had a mating with no pups there is a possibility it may be he has no sperm ... if that is the case then you will want to find out why (I would assume), and so you will need veterinary background for that.  You do need to find out if he's fertile if offering him at stud again - a missed mating for bitch and owner could be very inconvenient.
For our first test (basically collection of sperm and looking on a microscope) we paid £46, the specialist vet for semen collection and evaluation was, I think around £130 - this is for collection, checking all the factions have been collected, and evaluation of the sperm, if there is any ... ie lots or small amounts.
I was going to Clarendon Veterinary Centre in Weston Super Mare - a very highly qualified repro specialist there.  As that involved a massive journey I ended up at Croft Veterinary Centre in Cramlington, Newcastle.  They have a repro section and I can say they were very thorough and very good - they did not lead me down a long path of expensive testing unduly.
You could have a go yourself, but you must be VERY CAREFUL how you collect the sperm - you could end up doing quite a bit of damage to the dog's penis. You will also need to ensure that scope slides are at room temperature and I think you will also need a stronger microscope than a child's scope.
Hope if you do get him checked he's ok.
Edit, sorry just spotted you're in the Midlands, Clarendon may not be so far from you.  I was going there but it was 500 mile round trip!  Still ended up doing a 300 mile round trip ... things we do for our dogs!

Thanks for that, i wont be doing it myself, my poor boy would hate that..
Do you have the number for the place at Westn Super Mare.
Many thanks Yvonne

Angelika von Heimendahl Repro specialist is doing semen testing / collections at the Field Spaniel Health testing day at Great Alne & Kinwarton Memorial Hall, Alcester, Warks on 7th February 2010
if your interested please contact Shula M Shipton (FSS Health Officer) Phone 01283 530408 Email mishules@btinternet.com

K

Many thanks is it ok for other breeds to go along?  Hold on that has already gone it is the 12th now....or did you mean March?

Dr Susan Long at Clarendon Veterinary Centre, 2 Clarendon Rd, Weston-Super-Mare 01934 629744

I believe Angelika is also very good, and if it is in March, it may be worth trying to get to that one. I guess it's going to be nearer to you, but you may also benefit from a group discounted rate.  I think she's based in Oxfordshire, but she does go around the country doing AI collection sessions.

http://www.tweedhousevets.co.uk/html/reproduction_clinic.html

Oops,  sorry time is running away on me unfortunately the health day was on 7th Feb . What a pity to have mised it by a whisker :(

K

Thank you all for the info, Weston isnt too far to take him.
Thanks

Dr Susan Long at Clarendon Veterinary Centre, 2 Clarendon Rd, Weston-Super-Mare 01934 629744

She is vey good

We've used Angelika as well - she has been very good with us.    It's not just the fact that your see spermatozoa wiggling under the microscope, you need to assess the % of normal , % dead amd % deformed, which takes a lot of experience, and you wouldn't probably be able to assess on a first time DIY basis.

It is amazing to see active sperm under the microscope - not to put too fine a point on it - you never forget the first time!!!!

Jo

I would like to add to this thread for the benefit of future readers, searching info about sperm counting.

To try to collect semen yourself is a risky business. IF you do it incorrectly, you could end up damaging the
tiny blood vessels in the soft tissue. If and when the dog is used at stud, this could mean he'll start bleeding from the strain.
And blood and semen don't mix well.
In blood you get  leucocytes. The attack what they don't recognize,in this case semen.

If you want your dog checked, try to find a fertility clinic to help you.

> If you want your dog checked, try to find a fertility clinic to help you.

Yes i wouldnt do it myself, wouldnt want to neither lol x
We are lucky fit and fertile lives half hour from us