BREEDING MANAGEMENT IN BITCHES

BREEDING MANAGEMENT IN BITCHES

U.P.V.Sai Kalyan.

ABSTRACT

This article will provide you necessary information regarding the reasons of infertility in dogs and measures to overcome infertility problems. The most common problem encountered by the veterinarians working in canine reproduction is the ‘Potentially’ infertile bitch. Owners bring these dogs to the vets with the major concern that the dogs are failing to produce puppies. It is important to emphasize that a vast majority of these dogs are healthy fertile animals whose apparent infertility problems are related to a misunderstanding of proper breeding management.https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/care-and-management-of-pregnant-bitch-and-new-born-puppies/

The present article focuses on the following objectives

• To understand the common mistakes committed in breeding management by most people that has lead to apparent infertility in their pet dogs.
• To know the various breeding management tools in predicting to optimum time of breeding.
• To understand the goal in breeding management and to offer a breeding programme with reasonable confidence of success.

Methods of breeding

• Out-crossing is the mating of two dogs within the same breed that are less closely related than the breed average.
• In-breeding occurs when closely related dogs are bred such as parents and offspring or brother and sister.
• Line breeding (which is a form of in-breeding) occurs with the repeated use of 1-2 dogs (usually males) for breeding to increase a certain trait.
• The problems with in-breeding are that it increases the expression of undesirable traits. Because of this it is advisable to evaluate at least five generations of pedigree on any bitch bought into the in-breeding programme.
• It is believed that a single out crossing is beneficial to overcome the inbreeding depression to supress the undesirable traits.

GOALS IN BREEDING PROGRAMME

• In any breeding programme the main objective is to have sufficient sperms in the uterus and oviduct which enhances the chance of fertilization with the matured eggs.
• Mature oocytes are fertilised after 3-8 days following the LH Surge, which represents beginning 24-48 hrs after ovulation of primary immature oocytes.
• Using reliable, clinically practical methods for estimating the day of LH Surge can be beneficial. They are behavioural observation, vaginal cytology, vaginoscopy and hormonal assays.
• Normal sperm are known to survive and retain the capacity for fertilizing mature oocytes within the uterus of the bitch for at least 4 to 6 days, and in some instance for as long as 11 days. Using this info, a breeding programme can be offered to pet owners with confidence.

ERRORS IN BREEDING MANAGEMENT

• People who own male dogs allow only one or two breedings per cycle. Since, there is so much of variation in the duration of proestrus and estrus and in the time of ovulation, it is almost impossible to fix two breeding dates without using any breeding management tool.
• Most breeders and petowners breed their dogs on the 9, 11 or 13^th day of the cycle assuming that all dogs enter into estrus on the 9^th day. Such predetermined dates are fine if it works, but what if the perfectly normal, but not average, bitch is in proestrus for 16 days or proestrus lasts 4 days and estrus lasts 4 days?
• Some breeders begin breeding when the bloody vaginal discharge of proestrus becomes clear and/or strawcoloured. Some normal bitches may have a bloody vaginal discharge throughout proestrus, estrus and even in diestrus. Others may discontinue bleeding days before the onset of estrus.
• Most breeders tend to depend on the male dog to choose the breeding dates. Male response to a bitch is simply unreliable. Some males always want to breed. Other males never want to breed because they may be submissive to a bitch, again rendering the male worthless as a guide to breeding.
• People always assume that the male is always fertile. Any male may quickly become transiently or premenantly infertile. Any time the fertility of the male is questioned a semen analysis is also equally important to be done.

PREBREEDING EXAMINATION

• A full physical examination to ensure she is in a fit condition to carry a litter of pups
• Verification of her vaccination status also whether she is free from parasites such as worms, fleas and mites.
• Screening tests for genetic diseases is recommended for certain breeds. For example breeds that are susceptible to hip dysplasia should be radiographed and hip scored prior to a breeding occurring (dogs should be over 12 months of age before being radiographed for hip dysplasia). Bitches that are determined positive to hip dysplasia should not be bred with due to the nature of the disease.
• Thyroid testing should be considered in breeds that are over presented for hypothyroidism or in bitches showing signs of thyroid problems.

EXAMINATION AND TESTING OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• All bitches presented for breeding need to be examined for abnormal vulvar conformation and vulvar discharge. Severe conformational problems can contribute to an inability to breed, persistent inflammation of part of the reproductive trait and an inability to whelp naturally.
• It is advisable to perform a digital vaginal examination in maiden bitches. We look for structures that may interfere with mating, foreign bodies, tumours or any other abnormalities that may prevent a normal mating.
• Vaginascopy should be performed in bitches that have a history of being non-receptive to mating, that have an abnormal discharge from the vulva, or that have signs suggesting inflammation of the caudal reproductive trait, such as rubbing the vulva on the floor, excessively licking the vulva and abnormal vulva odours.

To identify the animal in heat, certain procedures should be followed. They are:

1. Breeding based on sexual behaviour of the bitch

• Behavioral estrus is the factor in determining when breeding of the bitch should begin. Observation of the bitch’s response to a male is an inexpensive, straight forward, and reliable means of determining when to begin and when to end the breeding phase.
• On day 5 or 6 of proestrus, the bitch should be brought into contact with a male dog for approximately 10 to 20 minutes. This should be repeated every second or third day. Breeding should begin whenever the bitch is willing regardless of the color of the vaginal discharge, the vaginal exfoliative cytology interpretation, or the day of the cycle and should continue every other day until she is no longer willing to breed.
• It is recommended to breed the bitch every 2 to 4 days, beginning with the first day of acceptance and continuing throughout the acceptance period. Dogs that are in standing heat for longer than 12 days should be bred no more often than every third or fourth day. Bitches in standing heat for only 3 or 4 days should be bred every 48 hours.

2. Breeding based on Vaginal Exfoliate Cytology

• Vaginal cytology is a simple, inexpensive, and reliable means of evaluating the bitch and provides a good reflection of rising plasma oestrogen concentrations.  Vaginal smears should be monitored beginning with the second or third day of proestrus. The day the smear shows more than 80 % superficial plus cornified cells put together (cytological estrous), breeding should begin.
• Since, vaginal cytology does not directly predict the time of ovulation it is advised that once breeding begins, it should be allowed to continue until the bitch refuses to breed. Recommendations are to breed the dog every second, third or fourth day of oestrus.

3. Breeding based on vaginal endoscopy

• Vaginoscopy can be used to aid in timing natural breeding. Vaginal mucosa in proestrus appears rounded and edematous.
• “Wrinkling” or “Crenulation” of mucosa is associated with LH surge. This is the time to begin breeding. Breeding should be continued throughout the phase of maximal mucosal crenulation, seen as angulated folds of vaginal mucosa with sharp profiles.
• Breeding should be discontinued when the vaginal mucosa again becomes flaccid and smooth, with patchy red and white surface which is observed 6 to 10 days following LH surge.

4. Breeding based on hormonal assays

• This method focus mainly on the hormonal levels i.e; LH and progesterone. Before breeding these levels should be quantified to know the actual date and time of breeding. It is an expensive method and requires some laboratory effort.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A BREEDING PROGRAMME                                          

The below mentioned guidelines helps the breeders in increasing the success rate and efficiency of the breeding programme

• Record the first day of vulvar swelling, bloody vaginal discharge, and when males become obviously interested in the bitch.
• Begin “teasing” the bitch with a male dog on day 5 or 6 of proestrus, and repeat this procedure every 2 or 3 days to determine the first day of standing heat. In cases of previous infertility, begin on the first day that proestrus is observed.
• Allow the bitch to be bred, beginning on her first day of acceptance of the male, and continue to breed every 2 to 4 days throughout the acceptance period.
• Vaginal smears should be taken periodically during proestrous, oestrous and diestrous which helps in determining the date of breeding and conception rate.
• Complete records should be kept on the dates of proestrus, breeding, and vaginal smears. Notes should be made on the presence or absence of ties, the length of each tie, and the behaviour of both the male and female. The success of the male in siring litters with other bitches should be recorded. Records should also be kept on whelping dates, litter size, health of puppies, length of parturition, interval between births, and any other valuable information.
• https://www.msdvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/management-of-reproduction-dogs-and-cats/breeding-management-of-dogs-and-cats

Please follow and like us: