Hi all,

I am going to breed my bitch for the first time this year and because our stud is some distance away from me, I need to ensure that we get her at the exact right time. I have looked into various methods of finding out how I can pin-point the exact time that she is ready and have found that I can get her hormones tested via a blood test and the vet offered some type of swab test. My problem is this; because of the distance involved in travelling to our stud, we don't have time for the blood results to come back in time for the breeding to take place. The swab is an instant result apparently but I can't get an appointment with our local vet on-the-day or even in the same week and they have a nasty habit of cancelling appointments at the last minute. So I did some research on the net and have found a product called 'Canine Ovulation Pads'. They are supposedly instant and accurate. Can anyone tell me if they have heard of, or used this product and how successful it was? Is this product available in Australia and where? Is there an alternative? I found that some breeders have used the human equivalent from the supermarket with success. Anyone with this experience? Any suggestions? The only place I could find the Canine Ovulation Pads for sale was in the UK and I am not sure if they can ship overseas. Can anyone help? Thanks.

Ena

Hi Ena,

I have never heard of the pads but they sound very interesting. Let me know if you get some, the cost and how well they work.

I have used the other two methods as you discussed. The swab, I have found very unreliable....a rough guide at the best. The blood test is accurate but as you mention there is a bit of a delay. It is still my prefered choice as the timming in most bitches gives a bit of leway.

Are you flying your bitch to the dog or driving? what sort of time delay are we looking at?

Steve

Hi Ena,

I personally have not used nor seen the Ovulation pads before.I can only suggest the Vet for Blood test/Prog testing. If you have an experienced breeder in your area they might have a "teaser" male which will likely know if she's ready or not. I understand time constraints however not a great deal could be done other then what's been already suggested on the thread.I hope you have some luck.Did you find a suitable stud ?

Let us know how you go.

Amy

Hi Ena

Never heard of Ovulation Pads but they certainly sound like a very convenient way to test a bitch. I'll try them when it comes my dog's mating time (maybe about 8 months).

Thanks again.

Peter

Hi Steve,

Planning on doing the drive, it is only 5 hours at it’s best, as for the time delay, we are looking at possibly two days for the results of the blood test; if we can get an appointment with our vet. So I’m not sure if it will all slot together. We may give the pads a go if we can get them here. I have contacted the company and hope to get a response as to whether I am able to get them over here and how much it will cost.

Ena

Ena


Hi Amy,

If we can get them, we will give the ovulation pads a shot. The expense isn’t so huge that if they don’t work – oh well and if they do, terrific! Experienced breeders are hard to come by here but thanks for the suggestion, I’ll see if I can find a ‘teaser’. The blood test is an option that we have looked into and we’ll try the conventional method as well, so if all works out we should be ok, let’s hope. I’m hoping that I have found a good stud dog. He is a young stud within travelling distance from us and has bloodlines that are proven with good hip and elbow scores. So it won’t cost an arm and a leg for the breeding and hopefully we will end up with some very nice puppies. Will keep you updated.

Hi Peter,
We only started looking because our vets can be unrelible because of imporancey of the problem, good vet just under staffed..

Ena

Ena

Hi everyone have received the canine ovulation test pads from the UK, 35 swabs and postage cost close to $100. Bought the human kind to see the difference and that needs urine, will try you never know. So now am waiting and don't think it will be more than a month. I will also do bloods, but this is all a trial
Ena

Great,they arrived safe.Very quick postage from the UK. Good luck with the tests! How exciting for you.

Amy

Okay back to the ovulation swabs. By the time I got the blood test back I had to jump in the car in an hour, forgot to take the swabs to keep checking while away. Though what I can say is while they are bleeding it is hard to get a reading, my girl being a gusher. As for puppies there will be none, she wasn't ready.

So, I can't put the swabs to another test until next season, so I am willing to hand some over to people on this site to try it on their bitches that are coming into season. PM me and I can send them to you. Though the findings have to be shared with people here. That's the best I can do

Regs Ena