I have been asked to get my bitch swabbed prior to mating and have a few queries:
- what are they looking for?
- when should it be done?

What is the reason for this as obviously if my bitch had some sort of infection I would know....

Thanks

I would ask the stud owner what they want the swabs for, infection screen or check if they are ready to be mated.

Like in humans some infections of the reproductive system can go by unnoticed.

They will be looking for signs of infection and I would do it at the first sign of her coming into season.

I've had a couple of bitches swabbed before matings and they've always come back with infection but no obvious signs. I was shocked the first time as like you, I would have expected to notice something but my vet explained that it may not be internally deep but as bitches squat low to the ground to wee they are always at risk of picking up something in the vulva especially if you walk in woods or heavily dog populated areas.

They obviously don't want anything passed to the stud as he may well then go on to have an infertile period.

Some vets will give a course of antibiotics without swabbing as some breeders like to give their bitch as much chance of possible of a perfect litter, but not all vets will go along with this.

If this dog is by far your first choice, go with their requests - and good luck...

There will always be bacteria on a swab from a bitches vulva (or a dogs sheath for that matter) as these areas are not sterile. 

This is not the same as infection.

My own vet certainly will not prescribe antibiotics unless there is an actual infection.

Totally agree with Brainless

I have to say that my vet did not want to prescribe antibiotics to an animal that from the outside appears to be in perfect health.

How long on average should the results take to come back and do they have to be re-swabbed after the course of AB? I would say she will be ready to stand around 20th August so do I still have time?

Once swab at the lab it will be processed and the culture is left to grow for approx 48 - 72 hrs. It is then assessed to identify organisms growing and any organisms then tested to see which antibiotics will kill them. Would expect a result after 4-5 days

Can I ask how much this normally costs and is this done by the vets or an outside agency?

Thanks

My vet did the swab & I took it to IDEXX Sue. They got back to me with the recommended AB's (5 day course). Probably got the invoice somewhere!

I will call you tomorrow WS about this if that's ok?