It's not just what we know... it's how much we care!

At Wingham & Valley Vets we are highly experienced and can offer expert advice to registered breeders on canine reproduction.

The reproduction services we offer include:

• semen collection, assessment, freezing and storage
• artificial insemination – fresh, frozen and chilled
• transcervical insemination
• oestrus cycle tracking
• vaginal cytology
• vaginoscopy
• pre-mating swab collection and submission
• ovarian follicle ultrasound scans
• progesterone testing (in house)
• pregnancy monitoring and viability scans
• caesareans – both elective and emergency
• infertility or subfertility investigations

When exact timing is paramount (eg using frozen semen), the use of ultrasound in combination with progesterone and vaginoscopy, is the gold standard. We are happy to offer this service to our valued breeding clients at Wingham and Valley Vets and have state-of-the-art equipment that ensures accuracy and maximises conception rates.

In-House Progesterone Assay

Accurate and rapid progesterone testing is extremely valuable to breeders as it allows them to determine their bitch’s progesterone levels (and hence when they are likely to ovulate) within 10 minutes of blood collection. Without in-house progesterone testing, results can take as long as 24 hours and matings can be missed. In-house progesterone testing is much more convenient and practical, especially if you need to run multiple progesterone tests. This will mean fewer missed ovulations and will make it much easier to plan both artifical inseminations and natural matings. Progesterone testing is also useful for elective caesareans (especially if there is not an accurate mating date recorded) and in some bitches with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Ovarian Follicle Scans

We also have the expertise and equipment to perform ovarian follicle ultrasounds (see Figure 1). Ultrasound detects ovulation by visualising the disappearance of follicles within the ovaries.

Figure 1: Ultrasound image of the ovary just prior to ovulation.

If done every day, ovulation can be accurately predicted within 24 hours. After comparing ovarian follicle ultrasounds and the results of our in-house progesterone machine in multiple bitches, we have the utmost confidence in the accuracy of our progesterone machine because it has consistently and accurately predicted ovulation in every bitch tested, as confirmed by ultrasound scans of the ovaries (see Figure 1 and Figure 2). This gives our breeders confidence that they are getting the most accurate results and are more likely to achieve successful matings.

Figure 2: Ultrasound image of the ovary after ovulation has occurred. Note the lack of a round black follicle.

For those bitches who are difficult breeders, or have had difficulty falling pregnant, or have lost pregnancies in the past, a reproductive tract ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool. It can diagnose ovarian and uterine disease or structural abnormalities.

If you would like to enquire about our dog breeding services please contact us on  02 6557 0000 or email us at admin@winghamvets.com.au and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.