Reproductive Services

Breeding can be a big investment of both time and money, and unsuccessful matings can be frustrating. Our fertility services are designed to remove uncertainty and help maximize your chances of success by carefully assessing both males and females before breeding.

Male Fertility (Stud Dogs)
We provide a range of tests to evaluate a stud dog’s fertility and overall reproductive health, including:

• Investigating unsuccessful matings to identify possible causes and improve future outcomes
• Certification of fertility for stud dogs
• Semen collection and evaluation for sperm count, motility, and quality
• General health assessments and treatment options for infertility concerns
• Blood testing and ultrasound imaging
• Bacterial culture to identify potential infections

Female Fertility (Brood Bitches)
For bitches, we can determine whether they are cycling normally and screen for potential reproductive health issues such as infections, ovarian or uterine cysts, or abnormalities in the reproductive tract. Our services include:

• Thorough health check with full history and physical examination
• Progesterone testing to determine the optimal time for mating
• Ultrasound imaging of the uterus and ovaries
• Vaginal culture to detect bacterial infections
• In some cases, exploratory surgery to evaluate the uterus and ovaries

By combining these advanced diagnostic tools with veterinary expertise, we provide breeders with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and improve breeding outcomes.

Canine Semen Import & Export Services
Transporting canine semen across borders requires careful planning and compliance with strict international regulations. Our team provides a trusted and professional service to ensure semen is moved safely and legally between countries such as the United States and Europe.

Because every nation has its own rules and licensing requirements, this process can be complex and time-consuming. We take care of all the details on your behalf, so you can focus on your breeding program with peace of mind.

Our services include:

• Coordinating the import and export of frozen semen worldwide
• Collection and chilling of semen for same-day shipment
• Managing all necessary permits and certifications for each destination country
• Providing and organizing dry shipper containers for secure transport
• Handling international courier arrangements with carriers such as FedEx and DHL
• Performing required health testing, including screenings for Leptospirosis, Brucella canis, and Leishmaniosis

With our expertise, you can trust that every step of the process is managed efficiently and to the highest standards.

At Vetcetera, we provide complete reproductive support for both bitches and puppies — from the very beginning of a heat cycle right through to post-whelping care. Our goal is to give you peace of mind and the very best chance of healthy, thriving litters.

Pregnancy Monitoring

• From around day 25 after mating, we can confirm pregnancy using advanced ultrasound technology.
• Progesterone testing is used to check hormone levels, helping ensure the pregnancy is stable and progressing well.

Elective Caesarean Sections

Sometimes natural whelping carries higher risks. In these cases, we may recommend a planned caesarean section, which allows us to safely deliver puppies under controlled conditions. Reasons for recommending an elective section can include:

• Previous caesarean deliveries
• Breed-specific challenges
• A singleton pregnancy (Single Pup Syndrome)

By combining accurate ovulation timing with progesterone monitoring, we can pinpoint the safest time to perform surgery. This careful timing is key to ensuring strong, healthy puppies and good bonding between the mother and her litter.

Ensuring Safety During Surgery

• We never perform elective sections too early. Progesterone levels are tracked closely since they drop right before whelping.
• Ultrasound scans help us estimate litter size and monitor puppy heart rates, so we can identify any signs of stress before delivery.
• Prior to surgery, the dam is given calming medication, IV fluids, pain relief, and antibiotics. Oxygen is also supplied to maintain the best blood oxygen levels.
• We use specialized anaesthetic protocols designed to minimize any effect on the puppies.
• Throughout the procedure, a veterinary nurse carefully monitors the dam, while an experienced team of vets and nurses is ready to stimulate and support the puppies immediately after birth. Oxygen and resuscitation kits are always on standby.

Aftercare for Dam and Puppies

• Once the puppies are delivered, the mother is given pain relief for her comfort.
• The puppies are encouraged to nurse right away to begin bonding and to transfer the dam’s scent. They are kept close to her to strengthen this vital connection.
• Our aim is always to send both dam and pups home as soon as possible, so they can recover in a familiar, stress-free environment.
• Upon discharge, we provide full veterinary guidance, along with antibiotics and pain relief for the dam.
• We remain available afterwards to answer any questions or concerns as the litter grows.

With every step, we prioritize the health of both the mother and her puppies, ensuring a safe, supportive experience from start to finish.

Why Consider Freezing Your Dog’s Semen?
Freezing semen offers breeders flexibility and peace of mind, with benefits that extend far beyond a single mating. Some of the most common reasons include:

• International breeding opportunities: Semen can be exported worldwide to support breeding programs across borders.
• Preserving bloodlines: Freezing semen allows for planned line breeding in the future.
• Protecting fertility: Stored semen acts as a safeguard if your dog is injured, becomes ill, or experiences reduced semen quality with age.
• Meeting high demand: If a stud dog is needed for several matings within a short timeframe, frozen semen ensures availability without overuse.

Our team has extensive experience in canine semen freezing, with puppies born around the world from semen processed through our program.

How the process works:

• Semen is frozen in straws, making handling and insemination straightforward.
• Samples are stored in straws within liquid nitrogen tanks for long-term preservation.
• Specialized extenders and freezing techniques are used to maintain the highest possible quality.
• As part of processing, a test straw is thawed to assess quality and determine how many insemination doses can be created from a single collection.
• Typically, 2–4 breeding units are obtained per collection, depending on semen quality.
• Once frozen, semen can be stored indefinitely without any loss of viability.

This service ensures that valuable genetics are preserved and available whenever they are needed — whether that’s next month or years down the road.

Accurate timing is one of the most important factors in achieving a successful mating, whether through natural breeding or artificial insemination. By tracking a bitch’s progesterone levels, we can pinpoint when ovulation occurs and advise on the ideal time to mate.

Our progesterone testing service offers:

• Fast and precise results using our in-house Element i+ Progesterone Analyser
• Turnaround within one hour, giving breeders and veterinarians timely information
• Results shared by phone or email for your convenience
• Tailored advice based on each dog’s individual cycle and needs
• The ability to accurately predict whelping dates based on hormone levels

This testing takes the guesswork out of breeding, helping to maximize the chances of pregnancy and ensure better planning for the arrival of puppies.