Seminars on K-9 Reproduction with

Dr. Robert Hutchison 

Disclaimer: I realize that many breeders disagree with some of Dr. Hutchison's philosophies.  I have tried to take notes that will be of interest to all breeders. 

Canine Reproduction 

The pre-breeding bitch and the sire:  Have them tested for brucellosis.  Be sure are all vaccinations are up-to-date and all parasites control is completed.  If the bitch tests positive for brucellosis,  spay her and place her in a one dog home.  Be sure the Parvo vaccination has 2-C protection -- newest strain.  DNA males for identification purposes of the puppies. 

Vaccines usually cover the female for at least a year.  Many veterinarians think it is okay to vaccinate the bitch in her last week before whelping. 

Puppies have parasites.  Panacur is safe for pregnant bitches days 48, 50, and a 53.  Giardia and Coccidia can be passed from the bitch to the puppies.  Dr. Hutch suggests the bitch be put on a regiment of anti-protozoa before breeding, once a week when puppies are two weeks of age, and weekly until puppies go to their new homes.  It is okay to give heartworm to a pregnant bitch. 

The due date for puppies is 63 days from ovulation.  Not 63 days from the first tie.  The bitch ovulates in a progesterone environment.  Three to four weeks prior to the bitch ovulating you will see signals from your bitch.  The ovulation date is so very important -- once the progesterone levels reach above five nano grams it is time to breed.  Progesterone testing -- post ovulation rises and lasts 60 to 75 days.  At five nano grams the bitch is ovulating and can be bred with fresh sperm.  Eggs are viable for 48 hours, while the sperm is viable from five to seven days. 

A 0.2 ng is normal for a not in season bitch.  12 weeks after whelping the uterus is back to normal.  During the last 12 days prior to whelping is when puppies grow in size. 

Split Cycle: in the first part of this split this season might quit before reaching 5 ng.  The second cycle resumes four to six weeks later and usually then breeding can occur. 

Evaluation of the Sire 

Testes are in the scrotum at five weeks of age.  Testicles reached their maximum size at 10 months.  Males usually are fertile between nine to 10 months of age.  Healthy males can be used without a drop in sperm count daily.  It takes two to three months before new sperm cells are created, but there is a 4 billion sperm reserve. 

 

Semen collection: some of the suggestions included baby bottle liners and ziploc bags.  Avoid: spermicides including KY jelly, glove powder and tap water. 

 

Pregnancy and Puppies

Puppies receive 50% protection from the mother at birth, which then slowly declines beginning at nine days of age 

25% of all puppies die. 

Palpitation: between Day 23 to 31 post ovulation the vesicles can be felt -- not pups.  It is difficult to palpitate nervous or large bitches.  It feels like a string of pearls. 

Relaxin Blood Test: Relaxin is produced by the placenta.  There is an increase after 30 days of relaxin.  There is no sharp rise in pseudocyesis.  There is a sharp drop in Relaxin post reabsorption. 

X-ray: the purpose of x-raying is to get information as to the numbers of whelps, the size and positioning.  It is first recommended to x-ray between days 52 to 54.  Usually, less than 3 or more than 8 whelps equals a better chance of free whelping and keeping the puppies to live. 

Medications that are okay during pregnancy: 

Amoxicillin

Clavamox

Cephalexin

Baytril

Heartworm and flea prevention

Panacur after day 45 for warms 

Reabsorption/abortion/discharge: considered lining disease. 

Causes include ovarian failure, chromosome or genetic anomalies, infection, not maintaining progesterone.  Also can be caused by drugs, toxins, stress (Cortisone produced by the body).  Stress is usually the factor in the last seven to 10 days. 

It is important to confirm an actual pregnancy or an actual false pregnancy.  In the event of reabsorption/abortion, it is recommended that you save the placenta and fetus.  It is further recommended that a brucellosis test, a culture of the fetus' heart and a culture of the bitch's vaginal discharge be performed. 

False pregnancy: 

False pregnancy is very common.  Bitches can have false labor when they're not pregnant.  A false pregnancy does not indicate that the bitch can not later become pregnant.  There is no increased health risks to the bitch experiencing a false pregnancy.  If a bitch repeats false pregnancies, a check of the thyroid is suggested. 

Treatment of false pregnancies: 

Remove stimuli.  Stop any self nursing by putting on a T-shirt on the bitch.  Decrease food and water to decrease lactating.  There are also Medications available for treatment 

If a pregnant bitch is decreasing in progesterone before five days before whelping date, there may be needs to supplement the bitch.  Normal level is 20x.  When progesterone is 2.5 or lower, labor is beginning.