Canine semen is collected and a complete semen evaluation is performed, which includes motility assessment, sperm count and sperm cell morphology. Semen is then mixed with an extender to provide an appropriate concentration of sperm cells to facilitate its cryopreservation. The sample is then allowed to chill slowly for a minimum of 3 hours. After this period the post-equilibration evaluation is made and if the sample continues to show good motility it is packaged in straws and frozen.


After the sample is frozen we again evaluate the post-thaw motility to ensure the sample is of adequate quality to save for storage.

Currently we offer both vaginal and surgical (intrauterine) insemination techniques. We are equipped to handle fresh, chilled or frozen semen (straws or pellets).

Vaginal inseminations are typically utilized for fresh or chilled semen breedings.


We do not recommend using frozen semen vaginally as conception rate is less than 20% even with semen of good quality. With good ovulation timing, conception rates utilizing fresh or chilled semen (providing semen is of adequate quality) approaches that of natural breeding.

Surgical inseminations require accurate ovulation timing. This is critical for the success of the procedure. You may anticipate a 85% to 90% conception rate providing that the semen is of adequate quality and that the bitch does not have significant uterine pathology. Surgical insemination can be performed utilizing fresh, chilled or frozen semen, but is most commonly used with frozen semen. This procedure does require general anesthesia as the uterus is exteriorized through a small abdominal incision and the semen is injected directly in to each horn of the uterus.

We offer transcervical insemination (TCI) endoscopic techniques. Endoscopic TCI enables direct visualization of the cervix and catheterization of the cervix with a flexible catheter without the need for anesthesia. This offers a safer method of breeding than with a rigid Norwegian catheter technique and eliminates the possibility of reproductive tract perforation. TCI breeding can utilize fresh, chilled or frozen semen. When using frozen semen with TCI techniques post thaw quality of the semen needs to be 60% or greater. Typically two breedings (as with natural or vaginal A.I.) are required. Conception rates utilizing these techniques approaches 70%.

We offer breeding soundness exams for both dogs and bitches. These exams are comprised of a complete and comprehensive exam and may include the following: semen evaluation, Brucella testing, orthopedic clearances, blood testing, vaginal exams and vaginoscopy.

We offer infertility work-ups for both the dog and bitch. These work-ups are comprised of a complete and comprehensive exam and may include the following: semen evaluation, semen and prostatic fluid analysis and/or culture, Brucella testing, blood testing, vaginal exams, vaginoscopy, anterior vaginal cultures, ultrasound of the reproductive tract and genetic testing.

We utilize a number of modalities to determine when the bitch is at her most fertile period. These include vaginal cytology, vaginoscopy and hormone assays (progesterone and LH testing). Vaginal cytology does not tell us when a bitch is in her most fertile period, it only tells you what phase of the cycle the bitch is. During OVT this can be a useful tool to determine when to begin blood draws for progesterone testing and assessing stage of cycle when on set of pro-estrus is not known. Progesterone testing enables one to fine tune when fresh chilled semen samples need to be shipped or when the client needs to hit the road for a natural breeding! We utilize both progesterone and LH testing for all surgical inseminations.

Ultrasound evaluation is performed to confirm pregnancy early in gestation (28 to 32 days). This information is helpful in determining whether or not a bitch has conceived as early embryonic death can occur without any clinical manifestations. This information may help in determining why a full term pregnancy did not occur.

We can provide complete radiographic evaluations for hips and elbows, patella evaluations and thyroid evaluations. Many breeders have concerns about anesthesia but we utilize state of the art anesthesia protocols and monitoring procedures. PennHip radiographs can be done as early as 16 weeks of age but need to be performed under general anesthesia.



We highly recommend the use of anesthesia for official OFA hip radiographs for a number of reasons.

The primary reasons are:

• Sedation/anesthesia will provide for good relaxation and will not mask the fact that a dog/bitch hips may be lax
• Allows for excellent positioning to give the most accurate assessment of hip quality
• Reduce radiation exposure to both the dog and technician.

We are equipped to handle caesarian sections both elective and emergency. We do not subscribe to the belief that bitches undergoing c-sections should be spayed. But, if medical reasons necessitate that an ovariohysterectomy be performed we can provide this service. We can utilize many different anesthetic protocols that best fit the needs of your specific breed.

We can provide both surgical and medical management of bitches suffering from pyometra (uterine infections). The medical management of pyometra is reserved only for those bitches that are not overtly ill. Bitches requiring extensive medical management (fluid support, IV antibiotics, hospitalization) need to be spayed. Medical management may not be successful (inability to clear the uterus of infected material or rupture of the uterus) and will necessitate spaying.

Click the above to open an image of an infected uterus. Caution: This image is very graphic!

Click the above to open an image of a cross section of an infected uterine horn. Caution: This image is very graphic!

Infected uterus on ultrasound.
Click the above to open
a larger image.

By employing the use of certain drugs and hormones we can stimulate the induction of estrus in bitches that may have a very long interestrus interval. This technique can also be employed when the timing of a litter is crucial to a busy show schedule.

Microchips afford an excellent way of permanently identifying an individual. They are also required when the dog/bitch is to travel or be shipped overseas to certain countries. We offer Home Again chips that are approved for this purpose. Microchips can be implanted without the use of anesthesia.