Progesterone Test for Dogs

Name: Healvet 300 Portable Bundle - Dog Progesterone Machine
Brand: Healvet
SKU: VME-FPKIT-60418
Price: 3299.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Important Information On Progesterone Testing For Dogs And What You Need To Know.

Progesterone Test for Dogs

Timing the breeding of your bitch can be a time-consuming and expensive proposition! Traveling long distances to your vet for testing comes with hidden costs that most of us do not consider.

Some of these hidden expenses include your time (this is the most underestimated cost), the cost per mile for using your personal vehicle, the stress on your dog, and the cost of the testing itself.

Also, in many cases, you may need to make this trip several times. Let’s talk about what these progesterone tests mean and how to interpret them.

Looking at buying a progesterone machine?

Check out the Ultimate Buyers guide for info on all the best machines.

Progesterone Testing

A quantitative progesterone blood test is the single most accurate method for timing breeding's. The test is reported as a numeric result, usually ng/ml.

The test result combined with the behavior of the male and the bitch as the time for breeding gets closer, makes timing the breeding much easier.

An exact progesterone level is also needed when the male or bitch will be traveling a long distance for breeding.

Also, a reverse progesterone level is used to track the bitch’s progesterone as the level drops after the bitch has become pregnant. The reverse is used to help measure the best and safest time to perform a C-section.

Progesterone Interpretation

Progesterone rises slowly once the bitch is pregnant and stays high throughout the cycle. The first progesterone level would be tested from day 5 to day 6 of her cycle.

As the bitch enters estrus, she approaches her fertile period, and her progesterone level will rise above 2ng/ml (this number will vary based on the testing equipment used). She will become increasingly attractive to the male and receptive to his advances.

This slight rise is often called the initial rise. This initial rise will be your notification to start monitoring the bitch’s progesterone levels closely as she gets closer to ovulate.

The Bitch will be fertile for a few days after your progesterone testing has indicated ovulation, so testing is important. Once the Progesterone testing rises above 2 ng/ml, continue to draw serial serum samples for testing, usually every 1 to 3 days.

Ovulation is thought to occur when the progesterone level reaches about 5 ng/ml. (again this number will vary based on the testing equipment you are using). After ovulation and breeding are completed, the progesterone level will continue to rise.

Understanding The Difference In Testing Equipment.

The numbers for LH surge, ovulation, best days to breed, and reverse testing can vary a great deal between the many different brands and types of testing units.

This is very important to understand since an IDEXX for instance may read a 2 ng/ml while the very same sample run on a Finecare Vet may read as high as 5ng/ml.

This is due to the calibration factors that the two instruments use. They both will give you exceptionally good results in your breeding, you just need to understand that the two systems can not be used to compare one to the other.

Users of all the different Progesterone testing systems will need to be sure they understand what the ranges are on the system they are using.

Understanding The Difference In Testing Equipment Pt 2.

Providing an expected ranges chart for the progesterone testing unit you are using is the best way to overcome this confusion. At CanineP4.com we provide you with a colorful chart designed for each individual system.

To achieve this, we perform the comparison (correlation testing) testing needed to get the data needed to provide a timing chart that is going to be accurate for all the different models.

This testing is above and beyond the testing the manufacturer will provide to us. We do hundreds of our own samples so that we have our own data to back up what the manufacturer provides. We test everything before we sell it to you. All this is done so that you get the absolute best results on your testing every time.

We also provide ongoing technical support for the times you have questions about using your new Progesterone system!