Has anyone ever done these tests? When is the best day to get the first blood test? My bitch has been mated twice without doing the test and never took. She was mated around days 10-12 last time and only got one tie last time and no tie the first time. I'm going to do the idexx test. I have received the kit and my bitch has just come into season today. She is a very small breed. Can anyone offer any advice?

Thanks

I have heard of members having this done at the vets, didn't realise it could be done at home???

The blood will need to be drawn by the vet, but thetesting  kit can be ordered to come to your home to then be used by the vet, and posted by yourself.

Ah I see

One of my girls missed twice, did her at day 4 and was told that she was due to be mated.  Took her on day 6 and got 3 pups.  She'd had two previous litters when she was mated on days 16 and 18¬!

We tested from day 5, but if you've bred her twice before on days 10-13 and she hasn't taken, then you probably should start testing from the beginning as she might be a v early ovulator.  After ovulation, results fluctuate and can be all over the place - you can't tell when ovulation was, after it has happened - if you miss it, you're screwed.  So you need to make sure you are testing before it has taken place, to catch it occurring. 

Thanks for your help everyone, she is booked into the vet for bloods on Wednesday morning at 9am. This will be day 5.

Another question -  I was always planning on using IDEXX however the vet has told me that they have a local laboratory that does exactly the same as IDEXX but the results can be back on the same day as the blood was drawn. It isn't an inhouse test, I've heard they are not very accurate. She told me it is exactly the same as IDEXX but quicker. Do you think I should go with this option or stick to the reliable IDEXX lab?

Thanks

I have done two tests so far

one last Tuesday day 7 - levels too low, second one on Friday day 10 - levels still too low to give me a window so now I am in a quandry about whether to do a third test through idexx or do a premate test tomorrow

nightmare

If it's a quantitative test (the actual numbers for the levels of hormones) by a lab then I'd go with the local lab, with fast turn around.  You need to test usually every two days until ti indicates ovulation.

Ditto brainless :)

premate test done at the two week point - ovulated at last

We tested on day 6, her result was 0.47
day 8, her result was 0.48
day 11, her result was 1.6
day 14 (yesterday 2nd Aug) her result was 1.8

She has only really stared flagging today and my boy (who is neutered) has started showing an interest this afternoon (day 15) We are booked in again on Monday (day 17) and hopefully her levels will be higher!

This has to be the most expensive litter ever! Whoever says breeders are rich is wrong haha! Has anyone ever had a bitch ready at such a late stage in her season?

>Has anyone ever had a bitch ready at such a late stage in her season?

My last litter was from matings on days 18 and 20 ...

My current litter the bitch has never been ready before days 18 to 22.  On ehr first litter we progesterone tested on day 17 as the stud dog owner was getting concerned at his lack of interest

Looks as though she's a late ovulator - probably be around days 20 - 22.  Suprised you have tested so often when results were so low.

Yep have also has a girl not ready until around day 22.

Just had bloods done today for one of my girls as I plan to try an AI and the lab haven't sent result tonight !!! Typical especially as its a weekend and timing for insemination is critical !!! Argh the joys of dog breeding .......

Hi everyone

We're on day 18 and she's at 10.1nmol. Would you mate today? The vet has told me to but the idexx levels say retest...

Retest .. Still far too soon She won't ovulate until you reach 15nmol and then add 2 days

My girl was 9 on Thursday. Larry told me to mate her yesterday and tomortow. We got a 40 min tie yesterday.

> My girl was 9 on Thursday.

Was that nmol though, or ng, as that would be right for ng but not nmol,
with results of 19 - 31 nmol/L   Ovulation recently occurred. Estimated breeding window 1 - 3 days
32 - 64 nmol/L   Ova have matured, optimal potential for fertility.  Estimated breeding window  0 - 2 days
65 - 90 nmol/L   Ova have matured but aging, decreased potential for fertility.  Breed  at once.

levels of  7 - 12 nmol/L   Minimum 1 day before ovulation. Estimated window for breeding 3 - 5 days but could be longer  ( re test recommended).

To convert ng to nmol x by 3.18.

Hi everyone, I phoned the vet back yesterday evening and the results are in ng not nmol! So I took her to be mated last night and we had a 15 minute tie.

Does anyone have a chart for ng? I've only ever saw nmol

Just multiply your ng reading by 3.18 to convert to nmol/l and use the previously posted chart :)
Wishing you good luck

Hi everyone,

Just to let you all know. My bitch was mated on day 18 and 20 as the progesterone test suggested and she is now 5 weeks pregnant. She was scanned on day 34 (09/11/12) and the scan showed 4 puppies. I am delighted

great news Gemz.  Did you go to Archie?

Congrats, not long to wait now and a date to be prepared by.

Yes I went to Archie :) He's really good

when were you there?  Just wondering if you were there same time as me?

Sunday 9th at 6.45pm :)

I was there about 6.30 same day???

Getting confused now. was told by F&F on Saturday that my girl needed mating that day or Sunday at the latest. Phoned today and asked if I should take her back for mating tomorrow and they said no wd be too late. Her score was only 9 nmol done on Friday.

Did you get a mating? How did the male and her react to each other?I would take her back for a second go anyway, won't do any harm.

Are you sure the reading was in nmol/l ?  The alternative scale for progesterones is reported in ng/l and a reading of 9 would equate to 28.62 nmol/l so ovulation occurred.

90% sure. Tonight her and her sister r really going for it and poor Olly doesn't know what to do with himself lol