Hi

Iwas reading some time ago think it may have been in the book of the bitch about ovulation tests (not sure if this is the correct term for this). I was wandering exa ctly what these are ment to do from what I recall they takles smears fromthe bitch and can determin when thebitch is due her next heat. Is this correct?

Also I recall injections you can give your dogs to make them come in season. Surely this is not very natural?

Just curious one of those questions that pop in my head like the first aid courses for dogs :)

Heidi

One method of ovulation detection is swabbing.
With practice this can be quite reliable, and can be done by the breeder providing they ensure sterile conditions whilst being done.
A swab is taken from inside the vagina from about 7 days just incase your bitch is an early ovulator. Then the sample is looked at under a microscope. If the cells are all seperate and the neuclei (sp) small then not ready. As the cells start to come together in clusters - a bit like cornflakes - and the neuclei get larger then that is a sign that ovulation will be in the next 24 hours. When the cells are so clustered they appear 3D then ovulation has passed. Best time to get you bitch mated is as cells come together into cornflakes and then 24 to 48 hours after again.
Have a little practice at looking at cells though before to get you used to focusing the microscope as thea is the hardest part. Last time I used one was at school! :-)