Is it right that there are 2 kinds of Premate test
a) one that is done `in house` and the results known within the hour and
b) one that is sent away and results back in 24hours.
From those of you that are familiar with them, have you had successful outcomes or have they been known to fail?Which one is best?
What is the procedure and does this vary from bitch to bitch?
Sorry for all the questions but I haven`t used it before or know anyone who has.
Thanks

One is a quantative assay which gives the amount of the circulating hormone in whatever they measuyre it in.  That is the one where you send the test away.

The inhouse is a colour test that when the blood is added to the test tube if it reaches a dhade of coliur it means that the hormones have reached a concentration to get the colour, this isn't as exact, but exact enough for a natural mating, and near enough in most cases if AI is to be used fresh, or two attempts in one season for frozen.

I have had the colour test one tell me my bitch had ovulated on day 12, and I didn't manage a mating until end of day 16 by which time the ova would have been dying off andI got 4 pups, born 58 days after mating.

The next time I couldn't get bitch mated and the send away blood test told me she had alrteady ovulated and was no point trying any longer than we had been.

Didn't do one this time and had thedog start gettin interested on day 14 and got bitch mated on day 15 and 16 and have yet to find out if it has worked.  The timing would suggest she ovulated on day 12 again.

I have used them a few times all with success.  ( the inhouse) colour indicators is the ones I have used. If the kit has been taken out already by the vet they can do the test in 15-20 mins.

If you start them before day 10-11 you get a good pattern of what is going on.

Some vets are a bit pricy but if you are travelling hundreds of miles then it is worth while.

I also think it is good for maiden bitches as you sometimes don't know what is going on :-)