BREEDING

Breeding pets and rearing a litter are a very time intensive and expensive undertaking when done properly.  We offer a number of services to help ensure the mother will maintain her health and develop a healthy litter.  Exams are critical to the lives of the mother and her litter, and we discuss many issues that will arise over the course of pregnancy.  We can provide you with advice concerning whelping, weaning and behavioral issues, as well as direct you to some good sources of information.  We often suggest reading "Book of the Bitch", by J. M. Evans and Kay White.
 
Pre-pregnancy:  It is recommended that a pre-pregnancy exam be performed on the female to ensure that she is healthy enough to become pregnant and carry a litter.  A few breeds are not able to give birth naturally and require a cesarean surgery.  The vet can tell you whether this surgery will be required.
If you are intentionally breeding your dogs and are having difficulty with success, we can determine whether the male or female has a specific problem.  Common problems can be improper timing, sperm deformity, or problems with the females reproductive organs.  We can conduct progesterone tests, examine sperm count and anatomy, and run a number of other tests to determine the problem.  We can also perform artificial insemination if necessary.

Mid-pregnancy:  It is recommended that an exam be performed on the female mid-prenancy to ensure that she is healthy.  Numerous problems can arise during pregnancy that can endanger her life, or the lives of her litter.  Many problems have easy remedies if they are caught early enough (ie. supplements).  We will often take an x-ray or perform an ultrasound later in the pregnancy to determine how many puppies/kittens to expect!

Post-pregnancy:  It is recommended that an exam be performed on the mother and litter just after she gives birth to ensure they are all healthy.  Numerous problems can arise during the birth process which can be life-threatening, and if caught quickly, they can be resolved.