Can anyone give me information about the different tests to identify when a bitch is ready for mating. I used one where the vet took blood and processed it in house and then told me when she was ready. Many people have since told me that these tests are 'only as good as the person reading it'.

What other options are there?

I recently had my bitch swab tested.  She was swabbed on day 8 and nothing showing, took her back on day 12 and she was showing signs of ovulation, so we mated her on day 16/18 and she is pregnant.  Thats the way for me from now on!  Painless, not having to be starved and results straight away. :) 

Blood tests that measure the serum progesterone levels are the most accurate and what you would use if doing AI, and are done at a Lab, so you have to wait to get results.

You can have Premate or other tests that are done in house and the results checked against a colour chart (either varying shades of blue or red) when the right shade comes back from the test the bitch is ovulating.  These are less accurate but close enough for natural mating.

The swabs a re basically a smear test.  The predominating cells in the vagina change during the season and a knowledgeable vet can estimate when a bitch is close to or at ovulation.

There is also an instrument, that reads the electric conductivity of the vaginal secretions and that is supposed to pinpoint the right time.

Blood tests that measure the serum progesterone levels are the most accurate and what you would use if doing AI, and are done at a Lab, so you have to wait to get results.

Is this the one that is sent to Idexx? I'm not doing AI, but am concerned about the accuracy of the 'in house' version that I had done previously.

Can you tell me any more about this one please.