Getting worried over my bitch who had a previous litter 3 years ago from a mating on day 20. Bitch now 5yrs old

This time tested day 8 at 0.6nmol (idexx) and again day 15 still 0.6nmol

Booked again for blood on Friday her day19 but starting to lose hope.

How common is it for a bitch to have a physically normal season but not actually ovulate?

Based on bitches missing in the past, and the dogs being lack lustre in their attentions even though bitch staying with the dog, so ample opportunities for mating at the right time. I'd say it happens, especially with older bitches.

In your case as the bitch wasn't mated until day 20 on her last litter then at day 15 she is still some way off ovulation.

Ive had a bitch stay low and then the levels take a sudden jump, so don't give up hope yet x

My bitch didnt ovulate till day 19 and was mated and all was fine

My girl last time was day 18 before she ovulated after spending a lot on Idexx from day 10

Day 19 come back as still 0.6. Physically we have more swelling, still bleeding, flagging tail over and standing for our castrated male. This bitch will be the death of me :s

In for a penny in for a pound, you will just have to keep testing on alternative days.  if she does fail to ovulate you won't have wasted the fuel to travel to stud or even a stud fee.

A couple of years ago there was a lady with a Belgian shepherd bitch who was progesterone tested and wasn't ready for mating until day 28 (if I remember correctly). She used to be a regular poster, not sure if she is still about

Slight improvement, day 19 came back again at 0.6 but Monday's day 21 came back at 1.1! Hurrah we may have turned a corner. Giving the poor girls legs a rest till Friday now and hope she is somewhere near for Easter weekend which will be her day 27/28. They really don't read the rule books do they!

It's such a pain with the labs being closed over Easter.  I'm in similar position, with a bitch that is dragging it out, and I really don't want to just mate on a 'guessing game' as she missed last time.  Frustrating isn't it?!

MVS Vets are open all through Easter according to their website for progesterone testing

Have any of you ladies noticed a connection between late ovulators and short intervals between seasons?

I have a bitch on day 17, not yet ovulated,not even imminent and she has often had 5 monthly intervals between her seasons,sometimes shorter.

Nope my late one went 7 1/2 - 8 months.

My current young bitches and their mothers have all had normal season intervals but the generations before often went 4 - 5 months between first few seasons but all had over 6 months intervals by the time they were bred from.

Thanks Brainless.....yes,she has had a similar pattern to yours....4-5 months when younger,the last 2 seasons pretty much around the 6 months.

Guess she's just going to be a late girl and we keep testing every other day

They cost us a fortune don't they! My girl was always 7 months then this time went nearly 11 months, I think she knew we planned to breed her so made me wait! Just hoping it's not an age thing and her fertility dropping. (She is 5 now)

For those who are following this story: We travelled to the ai clinic on day 27 after day 22's 1.1 reading in the hope that after 5 days and heading to the end of a bitches '28' day cycle that she would be somewhere near. Great disappointment when day 27 came out at 3.6 and the repro vets suggesting she had gone over and that she may just be having an infertile season or that God forbid the bitch at 5 years old would never ovulate again.

With no ferry home over Easter we opted for 1 last blood to basically nail the coffin for us and confirm that it wasn't going to happen. Plenty of tears after 2 years of planning and no other bitches to carry the line on. So off we went on day 29 fully expecting another low reading only to be told in 2 days she had shot up to 10.5!

We have now had to leave our girl behind at the clinic and head home for work but tomorrow they will test again and just maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel and a little bit of hope back in our hearts.

I really hope this is it for you...I have heard of bitches ovulating on day 32 and this was for AI and produced a good size litter.

It's horrid trying to hold your nerve isn't it. I just got back today from an 800 mile round trip to get a bitch mated on day 22,ovulated day 20.Thought she'd possibly have gone over but dog said not!

Sounds like you have every reason to be hopeful,

Ali

Got everything crossed for you x

Ai being done today, day 31 of her season and bloods at 20nmol.

Please keep us updated on the outcome.