12/04/11

A Guide to Artificial Insemination

This is not designed to replace information provided by a Vet. It is provided as an overview of the AI and birthing process.  We recommend you educated yourself with information in books, the Internet and consultation with a medical professional.

Successful AI is based on three primary factors

1)      With fresh chilled semen you have one shot so timing is critical. The semen needs to be inseminated as close to 2 days after ovulation to maximize litter size.

2)      You need the best quality semen to maximize success. Semen has to be collected correctly from a quality stud. Handled properly, Chilled and packaged so it arrives quickly at the optimum time for your Dam to be inseminated successfully.

3)      The chilled semen needs to be handled and inseminated correctly in to the Dam

Get these three steps correct and you will achieve an 80% success rate, about the same if Mother Nature did it herself. Get any step wrong and then you can expect a small or failed litter. So here are the details:

Step1 Timing Breeding

Most Dames show outward signs at the beginning of heat. Typical signs in order are: Humping other dogs; Males pestering and sniffing their vulva; Swelling of the Vulva; bloody discharge; and flagging where the Dam will swing her rear end towards Males. Bloody discharge that changes to a straw color and she allows males to mount. (later stages of heat)

But these are only makers of the various stages of heat. To be successful with AI you must pin point the actual day of Ovulation. After Ovulation the egg needs two days to mature. This is the optimum time for AI, and will result in the largest litters.

How to Pin Point Ovulation:

Go to your Vet and have an LH surge test every few days. Ovulation occurs two days after the surge. But detecting the surge can take a number of tests, the peak last for less than a day and can be completely missed.  LH testing can be expensive but it is the most accurate method.

Or perform a Progesterone test. This can be done by your Vet or you can draw a small amount of blood and do the test yourself. This is what we do with the Target Canine Insemination Kit http://www.targetvet.com/canine.shtml. It shows qualitative levels of Progesterone.  We do the first Progesterone test after about 6 days of bloody discharge. If the discharge turns to straw color sooner we perform the first progesterone immediately. The first test indicates approximately how close she is to ovulation. Based on this we perform one or two more tests to pin point the day of ovulation.

Less successful techniques are:

Keeping track of previous breeding with this Dam and based on previous matings, her behavior and discharge can help determine ovulation

Vaginal Cytology. A vaginal smear, stained and examined under a microscope can indicate the stages of heat. I have used this technique for years but have better results with progesterone tests.

The behavior of your Dam and other males provide and approximate indication of ovulation. This should be your last resort.

Step 2 Semen collection and Transport

That’s our job; we have a line of Studs who are proven producers. We can help with which Stud would best suit your Dam. Coat color and male proportion and size all play a factor in the quality and look of your litter.  We time collection from our Studs to make sure they have had a sufficient rest period since their last collection. We time collection to literally the hour, so we can prepare, evaluate and package the semen so that it is ready for pickup late in the afternoon for UPS overnight delivery.  UPS comes to us; this way we minimize travel time. In most cases the semen is in you hands less than 24 hours after collection. So call or email and let us know your approximate AI day so we can plan accordingly.

Step 3 Artificial  Insemination:

If you have never performed and AI, enlist your Vet or a person experienced in the technique and learn for next time. There is a wealth of information on the Net that demonstrate the technique. Here is a brief description.

Get your Dam in tip top condition, Up to date with shot, worming etc and not over weight. Do not give any medications to a pregnant dog with out consulting your Vet first.

Before you start the AI procedure. Walk the Dam for a few minutes and have her urinate if she needs to.

Move the Dam to quiet place with out other dogs around, preferably with a dog crate or pen so she can remain there in comfort for at least an hour after the insemination

Bring the semen to room temperature. If you have a microscope evaluate the semen for quantity, percentage that is moving well and shape.

Have a helper hold the dam in a standing position. Some dogs will be agitated the first time you AI. Take your time and re-assure her.

Clean her vulva with a swab

Use a suitable length sterile insemination tube (about 6”) connected to a new 5cc or larger syringe, draw up the semen into the syringe along with a cc or two of air.

Glove your hand and lubricate your fore finger. Insert the finger in to the vulva and then pass the insemination tube into the vulva past the finger. The technique is to angle the tube inside the Vulva up towards the anus first (to miss the Urethra where urine comes from) and then more horizontally to the cervix. You will not be able to pass through the cervix into the Uterus, (this requires a professional using and Endoscope) Be gentle and do not force the progress of the tube. But make sure it goes in far enough at least 3-4 inches, further for larger Dams. This may take a few attempts of partially removing the tube and wiggling your finger to get past any folds in the vaginal tract. If you meet resistance or the Dam is obviously very uncomfortable, backup and start again.

Slowly push the plunger using the trapped air in the syringe to completely transfer all the semen to the Dam. If you can not push the plunger, back up the tube a fraction, you may have the tip blocked by the cervix. Remove the tube but not your finger. Stimulate the ceiling of the vulva for a few minutes. The Dam’s Vulva will clamp rhythmically on your finger helping the semen to pass through the cervix into the Uterus. Hoist the dams rump 4-6” in the air to use gravity to move the semen towards the cervix. Do not press on her stomach.

Keep her elevated and quiet for another 10 minutes then place her in a crate to rest and be quiet for an hour. DO NOT let her outside or to urinate.

Pre-Natal Care Scheduling the C-section

Keep her exercised and in tip top shape, no drugs with out Vet supervision

Vitamins and Folic acid are a good idea

Mark you calendar 65 days from LH peak

Or 63 days from ovulation

Or (if you timed it right 61 days from AI)

Pay attention to your Dam at least a week prior to whelping

Almost all Frenchies are delivered by C-Section. Natural birth is very risky and not recommended with out prior history and a Vet on stand bye. Things can go wrong in a hurry resulting in still birth and loss of the Dam.

X-ray, blood tests, Ultra sounds and palpation are all techniques to help schedule the correct day for a C-section.  Have a plan of action in place at least a week before the anticipated birth. What are you going to do if it is a weekend or after 5Pm and you need a C-section? Plan ahead.

Signs that Whelp is soon

We keep the pregnant Dam close by for the last few days of the pregnancy so we can time the c-section correctly. She sleeps outside our bedroom so we can hear any changes. We take the Dams rectal temperature at least daily for the week prior to whelp and every few hours, two days form anticipated whelp. Her temp will drop from about 101 to less than 99, Whelp will usally happen with in 24 hrs. You may miss the temp drop and a few Dams will have temperature fluctuations that are hard to interpret, but if we see a drop to 99 or less we schedule the Vet visit for that day. We with hold food if we know that C-section is going to be with in 24 hours. Dogs with full stomachs can vomit under anesthetic and inhale the vomitus.

Early S-section (by even a couple of days) will result in newborns with out developed lungs that will die quickly. Too late and the Dam has contractions and puppies can be stuck in the birth canal. You may loose both her and the puppies. Timing is critical.

Here are the typical indicators of whelp in the order they normally appear.

1)      Dam’s teats start to enlarge, she develops a milk line and you can express milk. This stage frequently occurs after whelp, especially for new mothers.

2)      Her vulva enlarges and becomes rubbery.

3)      Her rectal temp drops to 99F or less

4)      She starts nesting, tearing up newspaper and bedding. She is generally restless

5)      Her Cervix dilates and can be check with a gloved lubricated finger.

6)      She starts panting, she may stop panting for a minute and stare at her rump.

7)      She starts to have contractions and stares at her rump

8)      She has a mucus discharge

9)      Her water breaks

10)  Her Vulva starts to bulge as a puppy passes in to the birth canal

Steps 3-8 should be followed an immediate trip to the Vet and subsequent examination and C-Section.  

The C-Section Operation

The Dam is weighed so the correct amount of Anesthetic is administered.

The Dam is examined, typically for general health, digital examination of cervix and rectal temp

An IV is setup

The Dam is given drugs to put her under.

An intubation tube is placed in her throat.

She is connected to a ventilator to control breathing and the level of anesthesia

Her belly is shaved and sterilized.

An incision made and the horns of the uterus exposed.

Puppies are removed one by one from the horns, the umbilical cord tied and cut

You (if you ask to participate) and other helpers start clearing the puppy’s lungs of fluids. Check for cleft palates and keep the puppies warm. New born C-section puppies are pretty lifeless for the first 2-8 minutes. This can be scary, especially the first time you experience it. Puppies are rubbed and backs thumped to remove fluid from their lungs and get the lungs going.  Sometimes non responding puppies are given shots and Oxygen to help stimulate breathing and heart rate.

The Dams Uterus is closed, abdominal cavity flushed and closed.

The Dam is brought out of Anesthesia and watched on the table for ten minutes or so to make sure she is OK. She may be given an antibiotic shot and probably Oxytocin to start contractions to clear fluid form the uterus and start milk let down.

The puppies will now be checked and maybe put on a teat if Mother is sufficiently awake.

Before you leave make sure all puppies are breathing regularly and have pink noses and tongues. If they are gasping or look blue, do not leave the Vets office.

Keep the puppies warm on the way home. Have a small box with heated blankets. Long trips of an hour or more require a heating pad you can plug into the cars cigarette lighter. Place the pad under the puppies but do not cook them! (Turn the pad on 10 minutes before you leave the Vet. Put the Dam in a crate by herself, she is too groggy to pay attention to the puppies until you get home.

Post Natal Care

Your Dam will be groggy and sore for a few hours. When we get home we let the Dam (under supervision) walk and pee. Then we put her in a crate outside our bedroom with a heating blanket on half the crate floor. We introduce the puppies to her and put them on a teat. If she groggy she might roll on a puppy, so watch and make sure she is attentive. New Mothers can be confused at first, but they always seem to rise to the occasion and except responsibility.

Most of the time everything goes smoothly, puppies are weaned and all is well, but things can go wrong in a hurry and early detection is key to averting disaster.

Problems

Problems fall into four categories

1)      Internal congenital problems, a puppy dies with in hours or a few days of birth and mother may neglect them before you realize a problem is developing

2)      A Puppy is small and weak and is not getting enough nourishment or warmth

3)      The mother’s milk is weak or non existent.

4)      The entire litter catches a bug, parasite or virus

Get a kitchen scale with a 0-4LB range. A thermometer and the scale are the most useful tools do not skip this step!  We weigh and chart every puppy’s weight daily. Puppies will loose a little weight in the first 24 hours. But after that they will gain weight every day. Any weight loss after day one needs to be taken very seriously. The key to success is early diagnosis and treatment. Puppies have very little reserves and a puppy in trouble can die in hours.  If the whole litter is loosing weight, then the litter has a parasite/virus or the mother’s milk is failing. Go to your Vet immediately.

If a single puppy is loosing weight, check he doesn’t have a cleft pallet. Put him on a nipple and see if he nurses, Check to make sure the puppy is not cold. New born are unable to regulate their body temperature for about 10 days and drafts and a cold room can make a puppy drop fast. If the puppy is lethargic and not nursing then visit the Vet.

We also check mother daily. Express milk from every teat, check the C-Section stitches and check her temp is around 101-102F. Milk fever (low calcium) and Mastitis from a blocked nipple are real threats that are easily cured but untreated can be death to the Dam and the entire litter!

The best environment is a warm crate with attentive care, check the mother and puppies every few hours. Dams must have good quality food and additives such as Goats’ milk and cottage cheese to help Dams calcium uptake. If you hear quiet puppies and suckling noises and they are gaining weight daily, then you are doing a good job. Continually crying or lethargic puppy or a restless Mother are the sure signs of a problem

Going to the Vet

You should already have a Vet you trust. But educate yourself. The Vet must evaluate your litter in minutes, you have days. So be alert and try to diagnose any problems. If your Vet confirms your diagnosis you are probably on the right track. If the diagnosis is different, ask questions. Learn from the experience, but make sure their explanation fits the facts. Vets are human and can make mistakes too.

Hospitals and Vet Office’s are visited daily by sick animals with contagious diseases. Limit your exposure. Keep you litter and Dam in the car until it is your turn to meet the Vet. Have them in a travel crate and do not let them walk on the Office floor. Wash your hands before handling the litter. Every surface of the Vet’s office has microbes on them. The door handle to the building (the first and last object you touch) has been opened by every other visitor before you and then have sick animals. We use a handy wipe to open the door.

This also sounds a bit overboard. But new born only have protection through the Colostrum in the Mothers first milk. Their immune system is weak and they have not received any shots.

The Joys of a Litter

A healthy litter and Dam don’t just happen. It takes work and planning. Make sure you have the time to do the job. If you are a Mother then you already know the commitment and the joy. I still get excited with the whole miracle of life. If you need help, I can’t guarantee we will have the right answers but we will always try. Call anytime , night or day, If you are in trouble and need advice

James 580 799 2873