Do any of you use Microscopes and do smears as an indicator of when bitches are or have ovulated.

One of my dogs breeders ( who is completely PC less) has asked me to find out some info and where she can get an appropriate one for this use.

I do not have a scooby about this type of thing so yes I can find microscopes but don't have a clue which would be suitable for the task in hand.

What magnification would you need etc ??

Anyone know?

Thanks Pam

Try http://www.microscopy-uk.net/index.html
Brunel Microscopes Ltd.
Unit 2 Vincents Road
Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate
Chippenham
WILTS. SN14 6NQ
England.
tel: 01249 462 655 fax:01249 445 156
They do dog fertility kits to assess the semen count of the dog and the peak fertility of the bitch.

I must admit I don't do anything at all with my girls, luckily I have people who either don't live too far so I can keep going or they will look after my girl or I will look after their boy.  Always found that the dog knows best.

I suppose I'm a very young old fashioned girl and I might catch up with the way things are done in 20 years or so :d

My girl is now day 15!!  we had the blood tests done for over a week as she was normally mated day 11 & 13.......but the stud dog showed no interest, this morning her blood results show that she should ovulate in the next 48 hours so first mating will be day 17!!  We had a slipped mating in the week, but the stud dog owner said her boy is always so eager to please he tried just to please her.........bless him!!

Hi Blue

I have a microscope and the full dog fertility testing kit from Brunel and it's a very useful item.  Have to confess that I don't tend to take routine smears from my own bitches but have found it very useful for visiting bitches.  The results are good and reading the slides etc. is really easy.  Prior to buying this I took "suspect" bitches to my vet who did the smear.  We always read the slide together and the book he uses to interpret the results is the same book I have in my collection on dog breeding!  Seeing this was what prompted me to buy the microscope and the kit for myself.  Saves money on vet's bills and can be done at a time to suit!

Chris

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies, will print the all off and pass on.

She has both sexes also. A stud dog that can tell at the drop of a hat. One of her girls has on occasion appear to come into season but will stand for 2 weeks if let to.  My understanding is that the bitch's body is getting ready to ovulate and shows all the signs but then doesn't. Apparently the smear can indicate when this has happened.

All quite interesting really.

You know what they say you mate a pet bitch and time and time again it goes well but when trying to mate champion bitches you have to pull out all the stops. :-)))))  Woman... ;-)

Chris , would you mind giving me the book details also?

Much appricated. :-)

Pam

Hi Pam

Will look them out for you and post later.  If you'd like to PM me I will give the the link to a page on my own web that deals with cytology, there are some good slides on this page that you will find very clear and with a description of what's happening with them.

Regards, Chris

Thanks Chris, PM on it's way to you. :-)) 

I've been taking my own smears for about 6 months now, and am getting the hang of it ( I think) - but would appreciate any more sites to look at - it all adds up

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Chris
Please send me your link/page as I would be very interested to see the slides.
Many thanks
Carolyne

Just a quick update so that is anyone was interested.

The microscope and kit etc can be bought from Brunel ( thanks Val and Chris for your help) .   There were 2 types one had one more lens than the other but both did the job. £167 including the microscope, kit, light  and literature etc.  I got so interested in it all trying to find out the info.

It may not been any use for the once in a life time breeder but for anyone really interested in this side of things it seemed interesting. If you have a huge journey to go to good stud dogs this may also help.  Just thought I would give some feedback.

Thanks Pam