Hi
I am using the matetel on my bitch at present as she missed last time and want to get the timing right this time. The trouble i am having is that i'm not sure how much saliva i need on the glass, when i do it i have been taking some saliva using my finger and wiping on the glass, amounts vary but normally its just a smearing. If i get a blob once its dried it just looks blurry no matter how much i try and focus it.

after its dried and i look through it i can see small black dots so thought all was well but i tried looking once i had cleaned it with soapy water and i could still see black dots!! It is second hand so not sure if there is dirt on the underside of the glass but not sure if its removalable or not to clean.

any advice please?? we're now on day 9 so need to make sure i'm doing it correctly.

I did find when I tried it that you really do have to get a LOT of saliva. I kept thinking I had a reasonable amount but not getting anything very clear. I only twice managed to get enough saliva. My girl's due in season December so I'll have to try all that again, drat it! I wish there was an easier way of finding the right time!!

I have a matetel and i think it is very good, but must be used correctly, you really need to collect a watery sample not a slobbery sample, i couldnt use it on my ddb as she is too slimey!

used it on my rotts twice and results were very clear when to mate, both matings produced litters of 9 and 12!

The best way to get a watery sample is the get your girl drooling over a juicy treat or after she has been excercised and is panting, i just caught the drip straight onto the lense, if watery 1 drip will be more than enough, when you get the correct time the ferning is VERY clear!

you want the lense to look like a frosted window and you should see this develop over a few days

good luck

I used it on my girl after she had been running around the garden, so was quite 'slobbery' you need a really good amount and probably best NOT from your finger as your fingers have salt/sweat on them so you won't get a true reading.  The MateTel tests for salt content in the saliva.

ok thanks - definitely dont think i've been getting enough as she's not a dribbler.

Have managed to clean all the lenses and inside glass but it seems to have the already black dots increase! anyway will persevere and maybe do it after her morning run. Have been doing it first thing in the morning so not much saliva around.

I had great results from the matetel.

I get saliva similar to other poster holding a treat in my hand and let her sit in front of me then get a drip onto the glass.
or I pull down the lip and run the glass along her mouth remember to put it somwhere to completely dry before checking it , hold it upto the light when looking through the magnifier.
If you look around the outside of the saliva you should see it start to fern or like icicles , if nothing seen yet then its not time.

Thanks
Seem to be getting more on but still using my finger. Tried it this morning as was taking her to the stud anyway just to see if interested, I could see that i had saliva but looked like a round pattern like obscure glass in a bathroom window. No ferning seen but stud and her both interested and they had a mating with a tie.

Will check with matetel again later - its probably just me!!

are you sure it wasnt icicle you were seeing?

good luck with the mating

yeah pretty sure, will def try again just again before her dinner.

my bc swalled the 1st matetel i had!!! felt a plonker ringing up for the replacement bit!!

my other half felt worse tho...he was on poo duty to check it came back out~!! ( he was the one who dropped it!!)

well how stupid am I - no please dont answer!!

Took sample this morning and then forgot to check before going for second mating, which went really well - she was definitely ready. Only just remembered i hadnt checked the matetel so went and looked now to see if i could see this ferning as by her attitude and willingness there should be plenty.

Looked through and still couldn't see ferning except more black thick areas - looked really hard and eventually could see tiny fern like structures!!!! I was initially looking for big fern patterns like in the picture and didnt expect them to be so small. Not sure about yesterdays result now but i think today i looked much more closely at the blackness.

Pheww thought i was going mad not seeing anything. will check on day 21 like someone suggested, might indicate if we have success.

thanks for help and patience everyone.

yes if you try again in 3 week to the day of mating you will see ferning or icicles again .

worked for me twice.