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Veterinary Fertility Services provides specialist clinical reproductive services to dog and cat breeders and cattle farmers, AI-organisations and breed clubs and societies.
Dog Breeders
Breeding bitches
Some of the services aimed at optimising the breeding potential of the valuable breeding bitch are as follows:- Pre-breeding examinations: Aimed at detecting common causes of infertility and at providing advice on timing and management of mating;
- Prediction of whelping date: Essential where a caesarian is planned, monitoring of the heat by means of vaginal smears is a very accurate means of predicting whelping dates;
- Diagnosis of pregnancy: From 18 days after the END of the season, pregnancy can be determined, size of the litter estimated, and viability of the fetuses monitored. Fetal heartbeats can be seen from about 3 weeks;
- X-rays to determine size of the litter: Very useful when overseeing whelping and particularly where there is a high risk of complications or where the pups are very valuable;
- Investigation into causes of infertility:
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Imaging of the uterus and ovaries using high-resolution ultrasound imaging equipment.
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- Artificial insemination (Vaginal): For more information click here
- Artificial insemination (Uterine): For more information click here
- Importation of frozen semen: For more information click here
- Exportation of semen: For more information click here
- Control and prevention of infectious diseases: For more information click here
- Management of unintended matings: Accidents happen, but medical treatments to prevent / terminate unwanted pregnancies without jeopardising the bitch's future fertility are available For more information click here
- Pre-whelping exams: In cases where there is a high risk of whelping problems a prepartum examination should be done 2 days prior to the expected whelping date;
- Obstetrics: Management of anaesthesia and resuscitation of the pups by a specialist anaesthetist can be arranged if required;
- Problems with newborn pups;
- Vaginal prolapse assessment: Diagnosis (bitch must be in season);
- Reproductive surgery.
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A prepartum exam is useful in assessing the risk of whelping complications.
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Stud Dogs
- Breeding soundness evaluations: Consisting of an evaluation of breeding history, clinical exam and semen evaluation (sperm count, motility and morphology evaluations), this evaluation will rule out most causes of infertility. A must for the dog which is to be studded for the first time, and for dogs where illness may have affected fertility, where semen is to be used for artificial insemination or frozen, or where matings to different bitches have been unsuccessful or resulted in small litters;
- Advise on the best use and management of the stud dog;
- Apparently abnormal sexual development;
- Semen freezing: - For more information click here
- Semen retrieval following sudden illness or death: In the unfortunate event of a valuable male having to be castrated due to prostate disease or other medical indication, or dying suddenly and unexpectedly, the genetics may be salvageable by means of retrieval and freezing of semen;
- Semen storage: - For more information click here
- Semen chilling and packaging for use as fresh semen within 3 days: - For more information click here
- Reproductive surgery.
Cat breeders
Cats have unique breeding biology and their own set of problems around breeding and fertility. Many of the above services are as applicable to our feline friends as to dogs.
Cattle
With extensive experience in bovine practice, we can offer a range of services to cattle farmers. Below are a few examples:
- Pregnancy diagnosis, including by sonar;
- Dairy reproductive herd management programs;
- Oestrus syncronisation and AI-programs;
- Investigation of infertility or abortion problems;
- Control and prevention of infectious diseases affecting reproduction (Trichomonosis, 'Vibriosis' (now called Campylobacteriosis), BVD, Leptospirosis);
- Calving difficulties;
- Making of teaser bulls;
- Investigation of bull fertility;
- Bull breeding soundness certification ('Fertility testing').
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Breeding soundness ('Fertility') testing of bulls should include a thorough clinical examination of the reproductive tract.
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General
We can also offer the following services:
- Talks: Dr Irons is available for talks to breed clubs or societies, farming groups, veterinary practitioners;
- Insurance claims: Professional evaluation of fertility-related claims on behalf of underwriters;
- Product evaluation: Reviewing of product dossiers for registration and other purposes.
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