15 Minute Progesterone Testing
Heartwood Animal Hospital has the capability of measuring your female dog’s progesterone level using the Idexx Catalyst machine in approximately 15 minutes once the blood is drawn. Progesterone allows us to time the LH surge (Luteinizing Hormone) and Ovulation which allows us to determine the best time(s) for breeding. Regardless of the dates that a dog is bred, we know that gestation lasts 63 days (+/- 24 hours) from the time of ovulation. Knowing when ovulation occurs based on progesterone allows us to help plan a C-section in high risk pregnancy breeds such as Bulldogs.
If you need to plan a C-section but are unsure of when ovulation was, we can begin testing progesterone when we get near her delivery date. If progesterone has dropped to less than 2ng/mL, this is usually a good indicator that the puppy’s lungs are mature enough to survive and a C-section can be performed. Other ways that our doctors will evaluate if she is ready for a C-section include abdominal ultrasound to check the puppy’s intestines and kidney development along with ultrasound evaluation of puppy’s heart rates.
Call us at (919) 570-9311 today if you have any questions or would like to schedule your first dog breeding consultation with our veterinarians.
15 Minute Progesterone Testing
Heartwood Animal Hospital has the capability of measuring your female dog’s progesterone level using the Idexx Catalyst machine in approximately 15 minutes once the blood is drawn. Progesterone allows us to time the LH surge (Luteinizing Hormone) and Ovulation which allows us to determine the best time(s) for breeding. Regardless of the dates that a dog is bred, we know that gestation lasts 63 days (+/- 24 hours) from the time of ovulation. Knowing when ovulation occurs based on progesterone allows us to help plan a C-section in high risk pregnancy breeds such as Bulldogs.
If you need to plan a C-section but are unsure of when ovulation was, we can begin testing progesterone when we get near her delivery date. If progesterone has dropped to less than 2ng/mL, this is usually a good indicator that the puppy’s lungs are mature enough to survive and a C-section can be performed. Other ways that our doctors will evaluate if she is ready for a C-section include abdominal ultrasound to check the puppy’s intestines and kidney development along with ultrasound evaluation of puppy’s heart rates.
Call us at (919) 570-9311 today if you have any questions or would like to schedule your first dog breeding consultation with our veterinarians.