Is there a home bitch ovulation test kit? if there is has anyone used and how ac create are they.
Thanks.

No the only in house ones like premate which are acurate enough for a natural service (use a colour chart) are still reliant on a blood sample being centrifuged, so vet needed.

Thanks Brainless. Can you recommend were to buy the premate. I my bitch s first day showing colour today.

You have to get your vet to order it and do the testing.

yes - I used ''canine ovulation pads'' on my bitch she has had 4 'silent' seasons in a row, and I was recommended these - so I tried them (nothing much to lose!) got 3 good matings and she is enormous - due next week. Google them, well worth it for me!

Ellie I have used the saliva test and found it worked really well for me. All you need is a small kids microscope and a drooley dog. Just before the bitch is about to ovulate  the salts in the saliva form a very unique pattern . Best way to describe the pattern is that it looks like ferning or icicles

Oooh, my scientist side fancies trying the saliva test. Sadly the scientist side of me totally ditched the ovulation pads as a complete waste of money :(

The ovulation pads are a blasted waste of money.

As for drool tests, the only reason I gave my kit to another dog person, was more to do with breed.  To get enough spit from a Chihuahua was a farce!  However, I have a Bearded Collie who drools oceans, and I am sure that I could have got loads of ferning, but didn't want her mated. 

I'm sure that my lack of success with the saliva test was more to do with breed.

I was talking to a big breeder in USA about the ovulation strips and all it is is litmus paper, here is a link to see
http://asia.phionbalance.com/ph-balancing-products/ph-test-strips/phion-ph-test-strips

My bitch is only 7 days today, she is lifting he tail when her backend is rubbed.I have been to the vets today for a blood test, cost £36 it can work out quite expensive going back to repeat a few times. Results tomorrow 10am.

Test results came back this morning, retest agin in two days.
Is two days the max time between retests?

Labs generally state retest at two day intervals.  Generally look at readings and make my own judgements based on experience ... If at baseline levels I might risk 3 - 4 days for a bitch I am confident on reading based on past testing or by clinical signs. if your not sure would test according to lab suggestions, I plan on 4 - 5 tests to plot sequential rises

If you know someone with an experienced stud get them to lead him and watch his reaction, he'll soon tell you the best time. Our girls are pretty good too, especially my dominant girl.

I did use the ovulation pads once before I had my boy, did it at the same time as prog. testing at the vets. It turned black on exactly the same day the prog. test said ovulation had occurred, coincidence maybe but I wouldn't write them completely off! At an average of 5 blood tests per cycle @ £50 a time the vets do very nicely out of it.

Obviously for AI prog testing is a must as the window is much more critical. Good luck :)

Thanks for all your replies very helpful as always.
The bitch was tested Tuesday night and results were retest in two days but due to work commitments I was un able to retest. I have just spoke with vet and the readings from the test were 8.7 so im thinking go for a mating Saturday afternoon and agin Tuesday, that should in theory have her covered. Fingers crossed

Bitch mated today on 11th day. She was a bit reluctant to mate but it was a 15 min tie. Will do a second mating on Tue. or Wed 15th day.

Now im a bit confused. Today on day 13 bitch is not lifting when rubbed behind. Her premate test results taken on her 7th day were 8.7 and retest in two days. She was lifting Sat when mated on day 11.
Is it possible eggs have been fertilised in two days and now will not mate?

I have never found flagging a reliable signal for readiness, (ditto the supposed straw coloured discharge) some of my maidens especially don't flag, and slutty girls flag for each other at various times from early on, to well after season has finished.

Thanks Brainless. I will try and re-mate tomorrow or Wednesday.

One of my girls would only mate the once. Any further attempts and she would have gladly ripped the boy's head off (can't blame her really ;-) ). Only takes one mating ... she whelped a wonderful litter of 8 :D

Due to work commitments the bitch had a repeat mating Monday night day 13, so fingers and toes crossed. Today day 16 noticed a green discharge coming from the bitch.

Green is most often sign of infection, so a trip to the vet would be advisable and a dose of synolux AB

I agree with you, green is a dangerous colour at this stage. Vet visit.

Sorry for the delay in my reply. I took the bitch to vets and she gave her a swab and tested it, also gave her an injection. All was clear I didn't see any more coloured discharge.
Few days ago 3 weeks after being mated I did notice a small amount ove clear discharge but no more since.

Clear is fine, quite normal. Glad everything is fine for you and your girl!