Hi has anyone giving there bitch antibiotics before they have mated her approx week from her 1st day of season. friend hasn't tried CHV (canine herpes vac) but was wondering if to try antibiotics . thanks

Iv used the CHV but not antibiotics, but do know of a breeder that regally gives antibiotics to her bitches before she mates them but its only because she has had problems in the past. Unless your friend has had problems or this is the last time the bitch can be mated I wouldn't bother.

When I am planning to breed one of my bitches, I always get them swab tested by my vet and it is then sent away to a lab.  The results come back in about 5 to 7 days and if the bitch has any kind of infection then my vet gives the appropriate antibiotic.  I always use the canine herpes vaccination.  It can be given before the bitch is mated or up to 2 weeks after they are mated.  Then the bitch gets the second canine herpes vaccination 7 to 10 days before the litter is due. 

When we do a mating we use both antibiotics and the CHV, and if we have visiting bitches we prefer them to be on antibiotics as well, and also advise the bitches owner to have the CHV.

not all vets keen to issue antibiotics to cover mating, mine wouldn't, when i told him stud dog owner wouldn't let me use dog unless i did he relented  providing i signed a disclaimer.

My vet is very against routine AB's and fortunately no stud owner has demanded it.

My vet is the same as yours Barbara

I always mean to ...then forget :)

Still get litters just the same.

Thank you all. its  been usefull