ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
If done correctly, Artificial Insemination is as successful as a natural mating. It will be referred to as "AI". There are a number of reasons breeders must opt to do an AI as opposed to a natural mating. Usually it's due to an unco-operative bitch that has been tried with a natural mating and she will not allow the male to mate.
By doing an AI it does not mean your bitch will not free whelp or conceive less whelps. All you will be doing is helping nature along. As with any bitch to be bred, she must be in excellent physical condition, as should the stud dog.
You can do Progesterone testing to determine the exact day your bitch is ovulating. This procedure is carried out by a veterinarian. You can also do Cytology, if you own a microscope and are knowledgeable as to what the cells should look like when examined to indicate ovulation. Or, which is what I do, successfully, wait until either the bitch or the experienced stud dog, tells you the time is right.
An experienced stud will become more enthusiastic about breeding when the bitch is at the peak of ovulating and a bitch has certain signs to look for to indicate the same.
If there is bleeding (not all in season bitches bleed) the colour of the blood will gradually become paler in colour until it is like a straw colour. A receptive bitch, will flag her tail to one side as she waits for the stud to mount. The enlarged vulva will soften and not feel so hard. And usually between day 10 to day 16, is when the bitch will be ready. Day one being the onset of her season. However, I will stress here, not all bitches are the same and some will ovulate earlier or later.
Now, to prepare your utensils to do an AI. I breed Toy breeds and no longer use the fancy utensils, just simple but effective items. You should have a collection jar, I prefer to use glass, suitable for your size breed. A sterile or unused syringe, I use a three ml one, again this depends on breed. I use a tom cat catheter which attaches firmly on the end of the syringe…you can use plastic tubing which will not be too big to fit into the bitch without causing discomfort. You will also need a good antiseptic, I use Betadine, and a lubricant….the ones used for humans is fine, otherwise surgical lubricant from your vet. You will also need household bleach. And finally you will need sterile saline water, I use the type you soak human contact lenses in and you will need exam gloves which fit on tight, like a second skin.
Whatever utensils are not sterilised must be submerged into undiluted bleach for a few hours. Remove them, drain them. DO NOT USE ANY WATER AT ALL to rinse. You will rinse using the saline solution only. Any other type of water will kill the sperm. Warm the collection jar to body temperature. The best way is either to use the microwave on the lowest possible setting for the shortest possible time or hold the jar close to your body. A cold jar will kill sperm too as will cold air.
Allow the dog to think he is going to mate the bitch naturally, let him mount her OR use a teaser bitch (another bitch in season) to stimulate him. If you can get someone to hold the bitch while you manage the dog, or else, tether the bitch so she can't run off.
While the dog is mounting, hold the jar directly over his penis with one hand, with the other hand, apply tension on the penis using thumb and finger, directly just above the bulbous part of the penis. There is no need to expose the penis at all. The dog will think he is mating the bitch and will ejaculate into the jar. Give him a few seconds after the excitement has settled to be sure you collect all of the semen.
Remove the jar, put the dog somewhere isolated and make sure this place is somewhere close by as to avoid wasting time. The collection should look cloudy in colour. Now, siphon the semen using the syringe, attach the catheter. Make sure the bitch's vulva is swabbed with antiseptic, place the tip of catheter into the antiseptic, then into the lubricant. Gently insert the catheter into the bitch's vulva, feeding it in and up until all of it is completely inside her. Gently press on the plunger until all the semen is deposited into her. Remove the catheter, place bitch in a quiet place away from other dogs for awhile. Check the stud dog to make sure the penis has fully retracted and you have done a successful AI!
You can repeat the same procedure the following day and for as many days as you feel the bitch is receptive. Then…you play the waiting game, just as you would if the bitch was mated naturally.
Written By
Anne Roditis/Muscat
If done correctly, Artificial Insemination is as successful as a natural mating. It will be referred to as "AI". There are a number of reasons breeders must opt to do an AI as opposed to a natural mating. Usually it's due to an unco-operative bitch that has been tried with a natural mating and she will not allow the male to mate.
By doing an AI it does not mean your bitch will not free whelp or conceive less whelps. All you will be doing is helping nature along. As with any bitch to be bred, she must be in excellent physical condition, as should the stud dog.
You can do Progesterone testing to determine the exact day your bitch is ovulating. This procedure is carried out by a veterinarian. You can also do Cytology, if you own a microscope and are knowledgeable as to what the cells should look like when examined to indicate ovulation. Or, which is what I do, successfully, wait until either the bitch or the experienced stud dog, tells you the time is right.
An experienced stud will become more enthusiastic about breeding when the bitch is at the peak of ovulating and a bitch has certain signs to look for to indicate the same.
If there is bleeding (not all in season bitches bleed) the colour of the blood will gradually become paler in colour until it is like a straw colour. A receptive bitch, will flag her tail to one side as she waits for the stud to mount. The enlarged vulva will soften and not feel so hard. And usually between day 10 to day 16, is when the bitch will be ready. Day one being the onset of her season. However, I will stress here, not all bitches are the same and some will ovulate earlier or later.
Now, to prepare your utensils to do an AI. I breed Toy breeds and no longer use the fancy utensils, just simple but effective items. You should have a collection jar, I prefer to use glass, suitable for your size breed. A sterile or unused syringe, I use a three ml one, again this depends on breed. I use a tom cat catheter which attaches firmly on the end of the syringe…you can use plastic tubing which will not be too big to fit into the bitch without causing discomfort. You will also need a good antiseptic, I use Betadine, and a lubricant….the ones used for humans is fine, otherwise surgical lubricant from your vet. You will also need household bleach. And finally you will need sterile saline water, I use the type you soak human contact lenses in and you will need exam gloves which fit on tight, like a second skin.
Whatever utensils are not sterilised must be submerged into undiluted bleach for a few hours. Remove them, drain them. DO NOT USE ANY WATER AT ALL to rinse. You will rinse using the saline solution only. Any other type of water will kill the sperm. Warm the collection jar to body temperature. The best way is either to use the microwave on the lowest possible setting for the shortest possible time or hold the jar close to your body. A cold jar will kill sperm too as will cold air.
Allow the dog to think he is going to mate the bitch naturally, let him mount her OR use a teaser bitch (another bitch in season) to stimulate him. If you can get someone to hold the bitch while you manage the dog, or else, tether the bitch so she can't run off.
While the dog is mounting, hold the jar directly over his penis with one hand, with the other hand, apply tension on the penis using thumb and finger, directly just above the bulbous part of the penis. There is no need to expose the penis at all. The dog will think he is mating the bitch and will ejaculate into the jar. Give him a few seconds after the excitement has settled to be sure you collect all of the semen.
Remove the jar, put the dog somewhere isolated and make sure this place is somewhere close by as to avoid wasting time. The collection should look cloudy in colour. Now, siphon the semen using the syringe, attach the catheter. Make sure the bitch's vulva is swabbed with antiseptic, place the tip of catheter into the antiseptic, then into the lubricant. Gently insert the catheter into the bitch's vulva, feeding it in and up until all of it is completely inside her. Gently press on the plunger until all the semen is deposited into her. Remove the catheter, place bitch in a quiet place away from other dogs for awhile. Check the stud dog to make sure the penis has fully retracted and you have done a successful AI!
You can repeat the same procedure the following day and for as many days as you feel the bitch is receptive. Then…you play the waiting game, just as you would if the bitch was mated naturally.
Written By
Anne Roditis/Muscat