I did everything right to breed my bitch–what went wrong!

Abstract

There are many reasons for a bitch not getting pregnant after breeding. Breeding soundness examination (BSE) of the stud dog would establish if the dog used for natural service is infertile or sterile. Improper breeding management for artificial insemination (AI) is a major cause for a bitch not getting pregnant. Progesterone (P4) assay, vaginal cytology and other related tools are utilized for AI at the appropriate time. A bitch with a split heat shows proestral bleeding, vulvar swelling but does not ovulate. Affected bitches go out of proestrus and come back into proestrus again two to ten weeks later. The second half of the split heat is usually normal. Follicular cysts produce estrogen and cause prolonged proestrus or estrus. Ovarian follicles develop normally but do not ovulate. Luteal cysts produce P4. Persistent and prolonged P4 production may cause infertility or predispose the bitch to cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra. Ovariohysterectomy is the treatment of choice for bitches not intended for breeding. Valuable breeding bitches with follicular cysts are treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or human chorionic gonadotropin. Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder, and is considered a hereditary condition in the dog. Dogs suspected of hypothyroidism are diagnosed by measurement of both thyroxine (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The condition is treated by oral supplementation with thyroid hormone. Dogs without a confirmed diagnosis of hypothyroidism should not be given thyroid supplement. Early embryonic loss and resorption may be caused by infectious agents, including bacteria, parasites and viruses. Non-infectious causes of resorption include endocrine abnormalities, certain drugs given to the bitch during pregnancy and genetic factors. Hypoluteoidism, an endocrine abnormality, can cause embryonic death and resorption. Monitoring progesterone in a bitch with suspected hypoluteoidism once or twice weekly allows accurate diagnosis of this problem. Hypoluteoidism is treated by P4 supplementation of the bitch.