Reproductive Services

VCA Kickingbird in Edmond, OK, is very understanding of our patients’ commitment and emotional and financial investments to their pets. We recognize the pride that is involved in showing and breeding purebred dogs, and we provide care for those that need a little extra help with their pets’ reproductive periods.  

Our reproductive veterinary services offered are: 

• Ovulation timing
• Artificial insemination (vaginal and surgical)
• Pregnancy ultrasound checks
• Caesarian section surgery
• Neonatal medical care
• Fertility assessment
• Infertility work ups
• Reproductive counseling 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my dog set up as a new patient?

An initial consultation and physical examination is required to be eligible for reproductive services. This will most often include screening for Brucellosis canis (a blood test). Click here to book your initial consultation at VCA Kickingbird. 

I expect my female dog to come into heat and I want to manage her breeding. What steps do I need to take?

1. Ovulation timing is one of the keys to success of managed breedings. First, be observant of when your dog starts her heat cycle. This can be accomplished by the “Kleenex test.” Daily dab her vulva with a tissue paper first thing in the morning and watch for the first sign of blood. This will be day 1. (Often the vulva will have started swelling and can have some cream-colored discharge before blood is noticed.) 
2. Progesterone Testing: Testing progesterone levels to determine when your dog is ovulating should begin on the 5th to 7th day of her heat cycle and is repeated every 2 to 3 days until ovulation is confirmed. Progesterone tests not only inform when to breed, but they also are predictive of whelping dates. 
3. Breeding Plan: The four methods of breeding are natural service, vaginal insemination (sometimes called “side-by-side”), transcervical insemination (TCI), and surgical insemination. These last two methods deposit semen directly into the uterus and often are chosen for use with chilled or frozen semen. We will counsel you on which method best fits your breeding program. 

How old should my female dog be before I start breeding her? 

A good rule of thumb is to not breed until the third heat cycle occurs—generally 1 ½ years of age. For giant breed dogs, they should be at least 2 years old. 

Is there testing or other evaluation that should be completed to make sure my dog is not likely to pass on an inherited disease to their offspring? 

There are quite a few negative traits that can be passed on in breeding dogs, and responsible breeders work hard to choose dogs for breeding that will not pass these traits. These traits are often breed specific. For a list of traits and testing options for your breed, we recommend you visit the breed’s national club website: https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/breed-health-testing-requirements/, or also the following OFA resource: https://ofa.org/chic-programs/. 

My dogs have been trying to breed but seem unable to get together. What are my options? 

Artificial insemination is often elected when there is inability to breed due to temperament, inexperience, size mismatch, physical limitation, or if vaginal strictures occur. 

What is the best way to know if my female dog is pregnant? 

We recommend a pregnancy ultrasound be performed 4 weeks after her breeding. This is an ideal time not only to confirm pregnancy, but also to get an accurate count of the puppies. Pregnancy x-ray evaluation is reserved for female dogs in their last 10 days of gestation to count puppies and sometimes to determine if there is a puppy that might be too large for normal delivery. 

My female dog was accidentally bred. Is there a way to prevent or terminate the pregnancy?

There are a few protocols to try to prevent or terminate pregnancy; however, none are without risk of harm to the female dog. We recommend either spaying within the first weeks of the accidental breeding, or letting her proceed to term with normal delivery of puppies and placement in homes. We do not offer other pregnancy termination protocols.

There is no stone unturned with our comprehensive reproductive services, so you can rest assured that your pet and their offspring will have an easier and healthier pregnancy and birth.