Hey Guys,

Wondering if you very experienced folks can cast an eye over my interpretation of my girl's due date.

I got her progesterone levels done on Day 7 (Monday) and Day 9 (Wednesday) they were 0.45 and 0.25 (n/mols) respectively. I was meant to be travelling on the Thursday (Day 10) for potential matings Day 11, 12, 13 and/or 14. However, the vet advised she would in no way be ready. I cancelled the ferry and thought I'll do another progesterone and travel last minute if possible. Day 14 was the last mating I could get as I had to travel back from the continent and bee back at work the next day.

Anyways later that Thursday (Day 11) she started flagging and on the basis of "trusting my gut" I decided to travel regardless.  She was flagging and flirting like crazy standing firm from Day 12 but was hysterical about being penetrated. We got only one mating on Day 14 about an hour before I had to leave to make the 8 hour drive back to for the Eurotunnel!

Anyways the vet over there thought she wasn't ready as well and advised that it would be very unlikely she would take. The male dogs on the breeders premises thought differently though, and frankly so did I. So on the long drive home up to Scotland I passed by Fit n Fertile and decided to get another progesterone level done on Tuesday 25th (Day 15) and to my absolute joy it came back at 40 n/mols!! So it looked like our day 14 mating was perfect timing.

From my understanding, labour starts 65 days (+/- 1 day) from the LH surge and therefore 63 days (+/- 1 day) from ovulation. From the progesterone figures and her behavior I have surmised that Thursday was her LH surge (when she started flagging) and ovulation occurred on Saturday (Day 12).

So......I've worked out she would be due 25/26/27th October. Does that sound about right? I need to get time booked off work now and would rather not be off too much beforehand and be off for as long as possible after puppies arrive.

Ovulated Saturday then whelping should be Fri to Sunday 9 weeks later.

You reckon she did ovulate Saturday going from her progesterone levels then?

Nope you said LH surge Thursday, so I extrapolated ovulation Saturday, and your mating two days later when eggs ripe.

You didn't give dates of mating or other events.

Ah but I'm assuming LH surge Thursday as that is when she began to flag. The progesterone was so low on the Wednesday still yet by Tuesday it was at 40n/mol so I know she mustve ovulated between Thursday and Monday....but more like Friday/Saturday. I'm not sure how quickly progesterone can jump from 0.25 to ovulation levels

EDIT-  I missed out a line ha....I meant to say she started flagging Thursday evening so I interpreted that as the LH surge

40nmol or 12.5ng would be ok for natural mating but still a little on earły side.
As progestone levels can double every 24 hrs your day 14 mating may have taken place when progesterones just 20nmol or 6.5 ng so approx at ovulation levels so perhaps 2-3 days early. As long as stud is fertile with good quality semen that will service the wait for ripe eggs (2-4 days post ovulation ) I would think you have a fair chance to get her in whelp.

For whelping would estimate ovulation day of mating +/- one