DR. AMIT BHARDWAJ, CANINE SURGEON, PUNE/GOA

Canine Breeding Management Practices Concept Note

A bitch to be bred should be examined for the first time no later than day five of its cycle as some owners may miss the early signs of the oestrous cycle, so the bitch may be much further along in its cycle than believed. If breeding is to be accomplished with frozen semen, breeding management should be started earlier in the cycle, since determination of the LH surge is significantly more important when using frozen semen. Vaginal cytology is typically performed every other day.

It is not necessary to start assaying serum P4(serum progesteron) until after full cornification of the smear is attained; however, bitches that have slides indicative of early to mid pro-oestrus may have blood samples drawn, and the serum frozen and stored to be able to backtrack to evaluate P4 or LH concentrations, thus increasing accuracy of ovulation staging. The percentage of anucleated squames is a useful parameter, as these cells tend to increase as ovulation approaches.Therefore, P4 concentrations should be performed every other day (EOD) once vaginal cytology indicates 50 per cent superficial cells and 20 per cent anucleated superficial cells .

The EOD frequency of blood sampling is acceptable if one is only measuring P4, while frequency should be daily if LH is to be assayed as the LH peak is very short-lived (average 18 to 24 hours) and it is easy to be missed when sampling daily. As the bitch approaches ovulation, EOD to daily sampling may be required depending on the type of breeding being performed and access to laboratory services.At least one vaginal cytology slide should be obtained on the day of presentation in case the initial P4 concentration is very elevated, in which case a vaginal smear is necessary to determine if the bitch is still within its fertile window or if it has already entered dioestrus.

In some practices only LH testing is performed, and inseminations are planned based on the LH surge. However, the routine use of LH measurement may only be inadequate for bitches that may experience anovulatory cycles or have an abbreviated LH surge, so use of LH and progesterone or progesterone alone is better than LH alone.

Ovulation occurs when P4 reaches values between 4ng/ml and 10ng/ml, and is confirmed by a rise in P4 of at least 3ng/ml in 24 hours . Some bitches rise 0.03ng/ml in 24 hours, while others jump by 10ng/ml or more in 24 hours. The amount of the rise is due to the number of follicles ovulated, the size of the follicles and the amount of luteal tissue present. Increases of less than 3ng/ml/day should be a reason for concern about ovulation failure, and additional samples should be obtained over the next one to two days.

Failure to confirm ovulation is a common source of problems, as often, low fertility bitches may reach the 4ng/ml to 5ng/ml stage and then stop there or go back to lower levels. If bred, these bitches normally do not conceive or may have a small litter size, and determination of due date is often complicated.

BREEDING GUIDE TO BITCH

 

Sl. No.	Average Values of Breeding Behaviour	Bitch
1	Age at puberty	6-12 months
2	Age at breeding	12-18 months
3	Type of oestrous cycle	Monoestrus (but usually 2 oestrous cycles per year)
4	Length of oestrous cycle	6 months
5	Length of oestrus (heat)	6-13 days
6	Gestation period	55-75 days (63 days)
7	Time of ovulation	48-60 hours after the receptive phase
8	Proper time of AI	2-3 days after onset of true oestrus
9	Breeding season	Biannual: August to September, February to March
10	Return of heat after parturition	16-20 weeks
11	Recurrence after non-conception	Twice yearly
12	Age of weaning	4-6 weeks
13	Time of fertilized ova entering uterus	5-6 days post-coitus
14	Time of implantation begins	15 days post-coitus
15	Type of placenta	Endotheliochorial
16	Expulsion of placenta	Immediately after each foetus
17	Average no. of pups born	4-8 pups
18	Birth weight	65-500g
19	Breeding span	7-8 years
20	Life span	10-15 years (Record is 32 years)
PUBERTY

• The dog attains pubertyat 6-12 months of age depending on the breed, plane of nutrition and management.
• In a few breeds it may be as long as 20-24 months for the appearance of the first oestrus.
• Pubertyin free living stray dog sets in earlier than in pets and kennel dogs.
• Females mature earlier than the males of the same breed when reared under identical management.

OESTRUS DETECTION

• A bitch in heat is an ideal illustration of a private as well as a public nuisance. She is undesirable at home and unwelcome abroad.
• The vulva swells up. A clear discharge through the vulva followed by a bloody discharge will be noticed. This continues for 8 to 10 days or a little longer.
• During this period, even though a number of male dogs are attracted towards the female, the female will drive them away.
• The above stage is followed by a pinkish or watery discharge for some more days.
• She stands with the tail raised and tilted to one side and is receptive to the male.
• The heat period lasts for about 21 days, and recur after about six months.
• It is always advisable to breed dogs after one year.
• The signs of heat can be easily identified in short‑coated breeds.
• In long haired breeds, staining the floor with drops of blood when the dog sits on its haunches, should be indicative to observe her for the symptoms of heat.
• “Oestrous cycle” generally refers to the phases characterised by relevant clinical manifestation of the bitch, which includes vulvar oedema, sanguineous or clear vulvar discharge, male attractiveness, receptivity to mating and a cornified vaginal smear.
• In normal bitches these behavioural and clinical signs of heat generally last 18 days (nine days of pro-oestrus and nine days of oestrus), but may vary in length and intensity, which may confuse owners and sometimes veterinarians. The range of normal pro-oestrus is three to 17 days, while normal oestrus range is three to 21 days. This stretches the normal length of an oestrous cycle from as short as six days to as long as 38 days.
• Most owners tend to consider as abnormal any heat lasting more than a month. However, when considering maximum length of pro-oestrus (17 days) and maximum length of oestrus (21 days),the longest possible heat period is 38 days. Such long heats are sometimes observed, and when duration approaches 38 days, it often becomes difficult to differentiate between a normal and an abnormal oestrus.

Differential diagnosis of prolonged oestrus behaviour includes normal heat, split heat, functional ovarian follicular cyst or ovarian neoplasia. Prolonged oestrogen stimulation, due to an ovarian cyst or ovarian neoplasia, can be dangerous for the bitch as it may cause pyometra and/or bone marrow depression. Therefore, one should be cautious when evaluating a bitch for prolonged oestrus, and assessing bone marrow function through haematology should always be taken into consideration.

Presence of heat needs to be confirmed through a careful history and exfoliative vaginal cytology as owners may:

*misinterpret signs such as vulvar discharge or male attractiveness (which may also be due to a pyometra or vaginitis); or

• observe their bitches occasionally rather than regularly (and therefore may be led astray by a split heat).

Furthermore, receptivity to mating can be present in early dioestrus, which may also confuse owners on what is the actual length of oestrus.

Split heat

At puberty, bitches may experience an anovulatory cycle, which is typically referred to as false or split heat. A false heat may last from two to seven days up to 10 to 15 days, and is generally followed by a normal heat after an interval of a few days to a few weeks, or even after a normal interval.

Owners, especially if unfamiliar with canine reproductive physiology, may not notice there is an interval between the false and the subsequent (normal) heat – especially if such interval is short. Therefore, a normal bitch at its pubertal season may be presented with a complaint of prolonged oestrus.

Split heats may occur in the adult bitch as well, thus leading owners astray – especially when a bitch has not had a false heat at puberty. These could be due to follicular development during late anoestrus producing transient elevations of oestrogen concentrations to pro-oestrus/oestrus levels.

Ovulation timing

Most bitches ovulate on day 12 of their season, therefore there is a widespread tendency of owners to assume day 12 is the ideal breeding day for all bitches. As a matter of fact, some bitches ovulate early (such as on day eight, six or even four from the onset of pro-oestrus), while others may ovulate as late as day 17, 19 or 22 to 24. One should never assume a given bitch will ovulate on day 12 unless proven.

Managing a canine breeding requires the client taking the bitch to the vet clinic as soon as the first signs of pro-oestrus display (vulvar discharge, male attractiveness) for a first check (to be done no later than day five), then coming back every two to three days to monitor how quickly the female is progressing towards ovulation through vaginal smears and serum progesterone assays.

Vaginal cytology

 Vaginal cytology is still considered the simplest and most practical way to confirm oestrus, stage of the oestrus cycle and define length of the follicular phase, and it should always be performed on a bitch in oestrus. In normal bitches, maximal vaginal epithelial cornification is generally reached towards the end of pro-oestrus and persists for an average of nine to 15 days until the first day of dioestrus (D1).

The vaginal exfoliative cytology pattern of D1 is characterised by a sudden per cent drop of cornified vaginal epithelial cells, a concomitant sudden per cent increase in intermediate vaginal epithelial cells and a short-lasting (few days) increase of polimorphonuclear cells. D1 occurs six (ranging from five to eight) days after ovulation, therefore fertility at this time is very low or absent. Identifying D1 can be helpful to confirm ovulation and assess potential for conception based on timing of mating.

Vaginal endoscopy

 Vaginal endoscopy is a good way of identifying and monitoring the oestradiol curve. During pro- oestrus the vaginal epithelium is pink and edematous, with vaginal folds appearing round and swollen, with some blood-tinged fluid in between them. This feature tends to progressively decrease as pro-oestrus comes to an end and the bitch enters oestrus – a phase that in the canine is characterised by declining oestrogen production.

As soon as follicular oestrogen production stops, fluid is reabsorbed from the vaginal mucosal lining and therefore the vaginal folds become whitish and wrinkled (a process called “crenulation”). As the wrinkling process is associated with a decrease in oestradiol rather than an increase in progesterone, the crenulation is only an indirect indicator of ovulation.

At the onset of dioestrus the vaginal epithelium changes abruptly becoming blotchy and red, and the wrinkles flatten out. If one touches the dioestrus mucosa with an instrument (an endoscope or catheter), the mucosa will blanch and then redden – a phenomenon called rosette formation.

During the rest of dioestrus the mucosa keeps flattening and remains blotchy pink-red – a feature that becomes even more evident during anoestrus.

Vaginal endoscopy is a good way of monitoring oestradiol (and not progesterone) concentration through its effects on the vaginal mucosa. Similarly, instruments that assess vaginal mucus electrical conductivity (such as the Draminski ovulation detector) allow monitoring the oestradiol curve and are only indirectly associated with ovulation. Vaginal endoscopy or vaginal mucus conductivity cannot be used to identify ovulation directly; serum progesterone remains a vital indicator in this respect.

Ovarian ultrasound 

Ovarian structures can be visualised with ultrasound using 5.0 to 7.5 sectorial MHz probes; follicular growth can be followed and ovulation can be estimated based on disappearance of the hypoechogenic areas representing follicles (which become luteinised) and on appearance of a hypoechogenic area at the periphery of the ovary representing follicular fluid accumulation within the ovarian bursa.

Luteinising hormone assay 

The luteinising hormone (LH) peak is the most important landmark of the canine reproductive cycle as it triggers ovulation. The LH peak is characterised by a rising phase of approximately 12 to 24 hours and a subsequent declining phase of approximately 12 to 36 hours for a total length of 1.5 to 2.0 days. The onset of oestrus behaviour is generally coincident with the LH peak, but it is often displayed one to four days later and, in some cycles, it just never occurs, regardless of a normal sequence of endocrine events.

Although the magnitude of hormonal secretion has never been accurately documented in cases of silent heat, failure to display oestrus behaviour may be related to an insufficient oestradiol secretion or to a varying sensitivity to changes in oestradiol: progesterone ratio.

Because of its importance in timing ovulation, LH assay would be very useful in clinical practice. Unfortunately, due to costs and short duration of its surge (several days of consecutive daily samplings would be necessary to catch the LH peak), the use of LH assay in a clinical setting tends to be restricted to very specific cases, such as when using frozen semen.

Progesterone assay

 Unlike LH, serum progesterone (P4) assay is extremely helpful in managing canine reproductive cases. Determining P4 concentration helps to:

• confirm presence of corpora lutea;
• characterise length of the luteal phase; and
• stage the oestrous cycle (especially if used with vaginal

In the normal bitch, a cornified vaginal smear with low (less than 2ng/ml) serum P4 concentrations indicates early oestrus (ovulation has not occurred yet), whereas a fully cornified vaginal smear with high (greater than 2ng/ml) serum P4 concentrations indicates late oestrus (ovulation has occurred).

Serum P4 has a concentration of 2ng/ml to 3ng/ml on the day of the peak of LH, 4ng/ml to 10ng/ml on the day of ovulation, and 10ng/ml to 34ng/ml during the two days following ovulation, which is when oocytes are reaching maturity in the ampulae of the oviducts and fertilisations are taking place.

Reproductive behaviour

The importance of vaginal cytology and P4 assay should not lead us to disregard the observation of reproductive behaviour. Although male attractiveness and acceptance of mating may not necessarily correlate with blood oestrogen concentration, observing the bitch’s reaction to the male can help identify bitches that ovulate early in their cycle.

Clinical signs of oestrus are typically displayed coincidentally or shortly after the onset of the LH peak. Although strictly related to the LH peak, oestrus behaviour is under the control of both oestradiol and P4, with the former directly stimulating and the latter potentiating the clinical manifestations of heat.

In ovariectomised bitches, the subcutaneous administration of oestrogen implants causes a slow and progressive increase of pro-oestrus-like behaviour; if a P4 implant is administered at the time of oestrogen implant removal, full oestrus behaviour is displayed within eight to 12 hours. Probably, it is the decline in oestrogen:P4 ratio, which triggers acceptance behaviour and the secretion of pheromones responsible for male attraction.

Oestrus behaviour ceases around the D1, although in some bitches, male acceptance can be observed also on D2 or D3. Oestrus behaviour is not extremely well-correlated with endocrine events, but it is, nevertheless, reliable in approximately 80 to 90 per cent of cases and, as such, its importance in breeding management should never be underestimated.

MATING MANAGEMENT

• When a female dog comes to heat she may be restrained till she is ready for mating which is evident from her posture.
• Take her to the dog of your choice. If possible it is better to take the female dog earlier to the dog and leave her with the dog.
• This give her ample time to get settled. Mating takes place one or two days after the discharge of blood is stopped. This may be by the 10^thto the 13^th day after the onset of the oestrous cycle, in larger breeds and earlier in smaller breeds.
• Once a decision has been made to breed, the health of the animal must be thoroughly evaluated. Written records should be kept.
• For bitches these should included information concerning previous estrus period i.e. length of proestrus, estrus and diestrus; signs of pseudo pregnancy, occurrence of any abnormal cycle; previous breeding date and the outcomes; vaginal cytology information and complete health record
• The birch is usually brought to the male for breeding. Courtship behaviour is initiated by the male dog, and the female either will respond positively or will reject the male by showing avoidance or aggression.
• Courtship behaviour in the male include intense sniffing of the female’s face, flank, and urogenital area; licking of the vulva; and chasing or playing behaviours.
• If the female stands for mounting, the male Will mount and clasp the flanks of the female with his forelegs.
• In the dog the os penis allows intromission to occur prior to the development of an erection.
• An erection develops immediately after intromission and is accompanied by rapid stepping movement of the males, hind legs.
• The enlargement of the bulbus glandis occurs at this time and is eventually responsible for the coital tie.
• The first portion of the do’s ejaculate contains only sperm free prostatic fluid and is ejaculated within 1 minute of intromission.
• Following the development of an erection, the male will dismount by placing both front feet to one side and lifting one hind leg over the female’s back so that they are “locked” or “tied” together tail to tail.
• The enlarged bulbus glandis of the male prevents withdrawal of the penis from the female’s vagina during the tie.
• The sperm-rich portion of the semen is ejaculated during the first 1-5 minutes of the tie.
• Internal ties normally last between 5 and 60 minutes. The female and male should be allowed to separate naturally, once the bulbus glandis has reduced in size

GESTATION PERIOD

• The average gestation length in a bitch is 63 ± 2 days but it ranges 55 to 75 days under different conditions

PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS ·         The clinical signs of pregnancy appear in a bitch at about 25-30 days post-mating. ·         The common signs are loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting tendency and depraved appetite. ·         After 5 weeks post-mating there is significant increase in the appetite of the bitch and she will eat more food. ·         It is rather difficult to diagnose the pregnancy between 30 and 45 days of gestation period due to the amniotic fluid surrounding the foetuses. ·         During the last two weeks of gestation foetuses can be easily palpated. ·         Radiography can also be used in this period to know the number of developing foestuses in the uterine horns. ·         Ultrasonic scanning instruments are available for pregnancy diagnosis in bitches. They give good results during the latter half of the gestation period.

CARE OF PREGNANT BITCH ·         The gestation period is 60‑63 days. ·         During the first month of pregnancy the normal maintenance diet is adequate. ·         Give additional diet. It is good to add liver in the diet. ( 1g/kg body wt). ·         Eggs, dairy products or other good quality, animal proteins can be given at this time. Supplement additional minerals and vitamins. ·         Immunization for Distemper and Hepatitis during mid‑gestation period will give the pups passive immunity up to an age of six to nine weeks. ·         Deworming with suitable drugs is also advisable during the mid gestation period.

CARE OF PREGNANT BITCH ·         The gestation period is 60‑63 days. ·         During the first month of pregnancy the normal maintenance diet is adequate. ·         Give additional diet. It is good to add liver in the diet. ( 1g/kg body wt). ·         Eggs, dairy products or other good quality, animal proteins can be given at this time. Supplement additional minerals and vitamins. ·         Immunization for Distemper and Hepatitis during mid‑gestation period will give the pups passive immunity up to an age of six to nine weeks. ·         Deworming with suitable drugs is also advisable during the mid gestation period.

CARE DURING WHELPING

• Temperamental changes will be obvious in the females just before whelping.
• The vulva swells up. The mammary glands become turgid and milk will exude on squeezing the teats.
• The bitch will seek a safe and calm place for whelping.
• When the uterine contractions start (first stage) the female dog behaves abnormally due to pain, will be restless, growing and refusing, to eat or drink.
• It will lie flat on one side and will strain heavily.
• The discharge is greenish in colour and is thin.
• When the stage of labor begins leave it to herself. The pup maybe presented either alone or with the placenta attached to the umbilicus.
• The bitch will bit it off and may eat it. At times the whole bag is presented and the bitch may not care to open it.
• In such instances open up the foetal bag and save the pup by clearing its nostrils and swinging it to and fro by holding its hind­‑limbs.
• After the littering of one or two pups the bitch may be quiescent for some time, will start straining and litter one or two more pups and there may be a pause again.
• In bitches littering may be completed within 18 hours and at times prolonged still further.
• The cord may be painted with an antiseptic, ligated and cut if it is very long.
• Passing of the after birth (placenta), one for each pup occurs immediately after whelping.
• Keep all the pups warm.
• Many bitches will not feed or drink till the littering is complete.
• After littering the bitch may be drinking only milk, and may refuse solid food for a day or two.
• Avoid strangers going near the bitch and her pups. Never permit any stranger to touch the pups.

ASSISTANT REQUIRED IN WHELPING

• When the gestation is prolonged and the bitch appears to lie exhausted.
• The bitch is straining severely for one or two hours and the greenish discharge had been noticed, yet it had not whelped.
• The bitch is exhausted, abdomen is distended, foetal heart beat is not audible on auscultation.
• The os‑uteri is dilated, the bitch is not straining.

PSEUDO PREGNANCY

• This is a phenomenon seen in many adult bitches.
• After the oestrus period, the mammary glands are enlarged and will show secretion of milk.
• The bitch shows all the symptoms of pregnancy and impending parturition. But the bitch will not be carrying any pup.
• This does not in anyway interfere with its breeding capacity. They become pregnant and litter normally during the subsequent seasons

CARE OF PUP

• The pups will open their eyes by the second week. If the flooring, of the cage/room where the pups are kept is smooth, they may not get firm grip to walk.
• Hence it is better to take them out to rough ground and help them to walk. This may be necessary for two or three days, or till they learn to walk properly.
• Supplement vitamins, especially A, B, D, E and C and minerals (calcium and phosphorus) during the preweaning period itself.
• If the litter sizeis large, feed them from a feeding Pups with full stomach, and not crying during the night, will be the indication that they had enough feed.
• Dockingand amputation of accessory digits are done simultaneously. Preferably during the first week. If performed late, the procedure become more tedious.
• Newborn should spend the majority of their time sleeping and when they are awake, nursing.
• They do not lie quietly or still when sleeping, but show activated sleep for about 75% of their sleeping hours.
• This is characterized by continual twitching, jerking, stretching, and shifting of position.
• Activated sleep is important for the development of the neuromuscular system and appears to be the mechanism by which newborn puppies develop muscle tone and begin to develop coordination.
• The most important indication of puppy health during the first few days and weeks of life is the demonstration of regular and normal weight gain.
• After the first day or two, puppies should steadily increase in weight and should double their birth weight by 7 to 10 days.
• A general rule of thumb to determine normal weight gain during the first 3 to 4 weeks of life is to expect 1 to 1.25 gram of gain per day for every pound of expected adult weight.
• Puppies typically are weaned at 6 and 8 weeks of age.

LACTATION

• This is a period of maximum stress for the female dog.
• Her nutrient requirement depends on number, sizeand age of pups.
• The diet should be rich in protein and easily digestible. Feed her 3 to 4 times a day.
• Provide clean drinking water always. Supplement minerals and vitamins to meet the additional requirement of lactation.
• In spite of all the care bestowed, the bitch during lactationwould be run down, emaciated and with loss of hairs from all over the body.
• The mammary glands will show numerous abrasions. Continue the mineral and vitamin Supplements, for few weeks after weaningthe pups.

Ovulation timing

 

Ovulation timing is typically performed by measuring the bitch’s serum progesterone concentration. Progesterone is measured serially every 1-3 days to indirectly determine when the LH surge and ovulation have occurred. Ovulation timing should begin very early in the cycle of a bitch that has never been bred before or that has been bred unsuccessfully in the past. Ovulation timing can begin later in the cycle if the bitch’s reproductive history has been previously established. Progesterone will be low at the beginning of proestrus and will increase to 1.6 – 2.0 ng/ml at the time of the LH surge. At ovulation, progesterone concentrations reach 4.0 – 10.0 ng/ml.

Progesterone concentration continues to increase until approximately 25 days after ovulation and then decline over the next 30-40 days.

Breeding management with natural mating

Natural mating is the most successful and widely used form of breeding management and requires the least amount of monitoring. Typically, the bitch is introduced to the stud dog every few days while she is in heat until she will stand to be bred. Once the bitch stands to be bred, she should be bred every other day until she will no longer stand.

Although this is usually highly successful, it should be remembered that some bitches will ovulate after being in heat only a few days and others ovulate after being in heat for several weeks. In addition, some bitches will refuse to stand for the dog, even when in estrus. Ovulation timing allows the breeder to more accurately determine when the bitch should be bred and also allows the breeder to accurately determine when the bitch is due to whelp.

Breeding management with fresh semen artificial insemination

 Some breeders choose to have artificial insemination (AI) performed even when the dog and bitch are both readily available. Typically, some ovulation timing is performed to minimize the number of AIs that are performed and to ensure they are performed at the optimal time. When using fresh semen, the bitch is inseminated anywhere from 24 hours before to 48 hours after ovulation. Two AIs are generally performed 48 hours apart. Fresh semen has a very long life span in the uterus (5-10 days).

Breeding management with shipped-cooled semen

The use of shipped-cooled semen allows breeders to breed to stud dogs located in different parts of the country or even other countries without having to ship the bitch. Ovulation timing is performed and semen is ordered to arrive 3-4 days following the LH surge and again about 48 hours later. Cooled semen has a relatively long life span in the uterus (3-4 days).

Breeding management using frozen semen

 Ovulation timing is essential when using frozen semen. Ideally, 2 intrauterine inseminations are performed 4-5 and 6-7 days after the LH surge. The semen is thawed immediately prior to insemination. Intrauterine insemination is necessary for success.

Methods of artificial insemination

During a natural mating, the dog deposits semen in the cranial vagina of the bitch. The semen is then forced through the cervix, into the uterus during a series of prostatic fluid pulses that follows ejaculation of the sperm-rich fraction the ejaculate.

There are 3 basic artificial insemination methods in the bitch. The first, vaginal insemination is performed routinely by most veterinarians and many breeders. Vaginal insemination involves inserting an insemination pipette into the bitch’s vagina and advancing it to the cranial vagina. Semen is injected through the pipette into the cranial vagina. The bitch’s hindquarters are then elevated to allow gravity to assist the transport of semen through the cervix and to prevent backflow of semen out of the vagina. The benefits of this technique are that it is simple to perform and requires minimal equipment. The disadvantages are that semen is deposited in the vagina and not in the uterus.

The second method is called trans-cervical insemination (TCI). This method requires specialized equipment and training. The procedure involves passing a small, rigid camera through the bitch’s vagina until the cervix can be visualized. A flexible plastic catheter is then passed through the cervix into the uterus. Semen is injected through the catheter directly into the uterus. This procedure is performed on the non- sedated bitch and is well tolerated by the majority of bitches. The benefits of TCI include the ability to perform intrauterine insemination without anesthesia. Intrauterine insemination is necessary when using frozen semen and greatly increases the success rate of fresh and cooled semen inseminations. The disadvantage is that it is not yet widely performed because it requires specialized equipment and training. Trans-cervical insemination cannot be performed on some very small dogs because of size limitations.

The final method of artificial insemination is surgical insemination. During this procedure, the bitch is anesthetized and her abdomen is clipped and prepared for surgery. An abdominal incision is made (much like a spay) and the uterus is located.

Semen is injected directly into the uterus using a needle and syringe. The advantage of surgical insemination is that it allows direct intrauterine deposition of semen and evaluation of the uterus and ovaries in the process. The disadvantage is that it is a surgical procedure, the bitch must undergo general anesthesia and will require a lengthy recovery period before she can resume her normal activities.

https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/tips-for-ideal-breeding-management-of-dogs/