Fertilisation in the queen takes place in the oviducts and 6-8 days post-mating the blastocysts migrate into the uterus. Implantation is thought to occur 11-14 days post-mating.
Pregnancy is most commonly confirmed by abdominal palpation: a series of discrete, firm spherical uterine enlargements can be readily felt by days 17-25 of gestation. Developing kittens can be [...]
Dog heat symptoms occur when bitches are attractive to male dogs. The term “heat” is used by dog owners to describe the summation of pro-oestrus and oestrus. There is no specific lay terminology for the rest of the oestrus cycle of the bitch.
Dog heat symptoms start approximately 9 days of pro-oestrus. The frequency of dog [...]
Traditionally, female owners have their bitches mated twice, 11 and 13 days after the onset of pro-oestrus, to try and ensure that spermatozoa are present in the female reproductive tract at around the time of ovulation. This rule of thumb method is generally successful due to the unusual longevity of dog spermatozoa (up to 7 [...]
The expression “cat in heat” is used by owners to describe the summation of pro-oestrus and oestrus. There is no specific lay terminology fot the rest of the oestrus cycle of the queen. The cat heat symptoms are quite easy to notice. High demand for affection, spending excessive time licking genitals and loud vocalizing are [...]
Normal seminal quality, normal desire to breed (libido), and normal ability to mate are all necessary for normal fertility in males. Therefore, the diagnostic approach to infertility must investigate all three of these factors. The diagnostic approach begins with a complete history-taking and physical examination. The history-taking should assess the male’s past breeding performance, breeding [...]