Progesterone Testing

We recommend that all bitches are progesterone tested prior to mating.

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In our experience bitches can ovulate anytime from Day 9 to Day 28, and therefore the traditional method of mating on Day 12 and 14 can easily go wrong. This is why there is an average success rate of 70% with natural matings, as opposed to over 90% when progesterone tested by a numerical blood test. 

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Bitches are often nervous when being brought for a mating (particularly maidens), and will frequently react defensively and refuse to stand. Without progesterone testing it is impossible to establish whether the bitch is behaving like this because she isn't ready, or because she is ready but frightened.

 

Some of the many benefits of numerical progesterone testing are as follows:

• Over 90% success rate (as opposed to 70% for untested bitches)

• Less stress for the bitch -  more likely to stand and get a 'natural mating'

• Very frightened bitches will often not get pregnant

• Higher litter size

• Saving in time and fuel costs with wasted journeys when the bitch isn't ready

• It is possible to just do one mating, so just one journey

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Each numerical progesterone test costs  £35-£50, which might sound expensive until one considers that just one extra puppy would cover the cost of 50 tests!

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There are several types of progesterone test available;

• The swab test that looks at the cells from a smear test

• Pre-Mate tests (a colour swatch) 

• A blood test with a numerical progesterone score. This is the only accurate method.

 

​The first two tests can be very misleading and often a complete waste of time, money and highly stressful for a bitch that isn't actually ready.

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We recommend Anne Morley for progesterone testing. Her website is www.matenow.co.uk  or tel. 07990 547480.

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Please contact Anne before your bitch comes into season, and ask her to send you a testing kit. This is free of charge (you only pay when you use it!)

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The first test would typically be done on Day Nine. 

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You will either need to take your bitch to Anne for a test, or find a friendly vet nurse to take the blood, put it in the vial, and then you return the test by post to Anne. She will contact you the following day with the result.

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Try to avoid paying your vet a full consultation fee to take the blood! Always ask for a vet nurse to do it, then the cost should be in the region of £15. If your vets refuse, ask another vet practice or find a friendly vet nurse!

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There are other reputable laboratories offering numerical progesterone testing but we have no experience of them, and many close at the weekend.

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The results of numerical progesterone tests are given in two different scales; nmol/L or  ng/ml.

 

The conversion of nmol/l to ng/ml is approximately 3.18, so ovulation is at 5 ng/ml and breeding recommended at 11 - 19 ng/ml

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Below is a table detailing nmol/l results.