Reproductive Services

Fertility Evaluations

WVH recommends scheduling a pre-breeding fertility assessment. Our veterinarians will perform a full physical exam, discuss your breeding plan and answer any questions regarding your bitch or stud. If fertility has been an issue, we will recommend a complete work-up. This will include an ultrasound and comprehensive bloodwork, including Thyroid and Brucellosis testing. Stud dogs will be collected for a complete semen evaluation, including a count and morphology. If needed, we will devise a treatment plan tailored to your pet.

Progesterone Testing and Timing

Accurate timing is essential for the best breeding results. These results also help our veterinarians time whelping and schedule c-sections. WVH offers both in house and out house Progesterone testing. We recommend starting timing on day 7 of bleeding. We will discuss your breeding plan and make and make a schedule for moving forward.

Brucellosis Testing

We recommend testing every 6 months to ensure accurate and up‑to‑date results. All dogs that are breeding or freezing semen must have a current Brucellosis test on file before services can be performed.

Vaginal Insemination (side by side)

This method of insemination involves introducing fresh semen via a vaginal canal. This is an effective solution when natural breeding is not optimal or feasible.

Transcervical Insemination (TCI)

This is a minimally invasive technique that introduces semen directly into the uterus. We can use fresh, fresh-chilled or frozen semen with this method. Timing is a crucial component for a TCI. Our veterinarians will not perform this procedure with out our own timing.

Surgical Insemination

In certain cases, surgical insemination maybe recommended for your bitch. A surgical allows our veterinarians to visualize the uterus for any abnormalities. We typically recommend this procedure for high-value or frozen semen. This procedure does involve full anesthesia.

Board to Breed

WVH offers boarding while we are timing your bitch. This is available so there are not so many back-and-forth trips to our clinic. This is also an option for our out-of-town clients. We do not recommend boarding a bitch that is nervous, anxious or not acclimated to a kennel environment. Anxiety and stress can play a factor in breeding success.

Fresh Chilled Collection and Shipping

WVH provides Fresh chilled collections to be shipped overnight. Your stud will be collected, have motility evaluated, semen extender added to collection, packaged, and shipped. This service will dependent on the timing of the bitch. If requested, a full count and morphology can be performed prior to the shipment at the request of either the bitch or stud owner.

Semen Collection, Freezing, and Storage

We offer semen freezing and storage right here in our hospital. We freeze using the CLONE method developed by Dr. Martell with Inovative Canine Reproduction. Our staff will collect, count, and evaluate your stud’s semen to ensure that the semen is viable for freezing. In the event that the semen is not sound, WVH will construct a treatment plan for your stud. This can include a comprehensive blood panel, ultrasound, antibiotics, and supplements. 

WVH stores frozen semen on site and is readily available for breeding or shipping. 

Collecting and storing frozen semen is a way to preserve your line legacy and produce sound quality pups. We recommend starting the collection and freezing process when your male is healthy and at sexual maturity (between 18-30 months). This will yield the best results for maximal fertility. Male infertility can account for failed pregnancies, along with other factors. 

A general guideline for an adequate sperm count is 10 million sperm per pound or body weight. WVH recommended breeding unit for a small breed dog is 100,000,000 viable sperm and 150,000,000 viable sperm for a large breed dog. Your stud dog’s sperm morphology must be taken into account when assessing these numbers.

Reproduction Prices