Timing is everything when planning a litter. Horsham Veterinary Hospital offers in-house Progesterone Testing to scientifically track your dog’s heat cycle. This helps us pinpoint the exact window for ovulation, maximizing your chances of a successful pregnancy.
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Just a few common questions about Progesterone Testing. If there is something else you need to know just ask in the Contact Us form below!
We generally recommend booking the first test on Day 5, 6, or 7 of her heat cycle. Day 1 is the first day you notice blood or vulval swelling. Starting early allows us to get a “baseline” level so we can clearly see when the progesterone starts to rise.
Yes, ideally. We recommend you do not feed your dog for 4 to 6 hours before the appointment. Fatty blood (from a recent meal) can sometimes interfere with the sensitive equipment used to measure hormone levels, potentially leading to inaccurate results. Water is fine!
This varies from dog to dog. Some girls ovulate quickly and may only need 2 tests, while others have a “slow rise” and may need 4 or 5 tests over a week or more. On average, most breeders can expect to visit us 3 to 4 times for a complete picture.
Not necessarily. External signs like bleeding color or vulval softness are helpful indicators, but they are not 100% reliable. Some dogs bleed heavily right through ovulation, while others stop completely. Progesterone testing looks at what is happening internally, which is the only way to be sure.
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