Reprisal Bullmastiffs - surgicalimplant

A SHARED BREEDING EXPERIENCE - SPRAGUE'S SURGICAL IMPLANT
by Tamara Cady

Breeding a bitch for the first time can be a nerve wracking experience. It doesn't matter how many litters one has had, or how many years one has been involved in the world of breeding dogs. The fact is that producing a planned litter is filled with many anxious moments because there are so many variables to consider.

Ideally, a breeder would have been hypothetically planning the mating a long time before the bitch matures. Doing one's homework will help reduce stress when it come to actually putting the plan into action.

We learned a long time ago not to place all hope into one dog when it comes to selecting a prospective mate. The smart breeder will have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, etc and will have studied more than one single male that would suit the bitch both genetically and phenotypically. They will have a hypothetical path to follow if there is a change of plan. If the first choice male is not available when the bitch is in heat, then having a back up plan will facilitate the goal.

Many newcomers assume they will offend a stud owner if they express they are forumlating a back up plan for their bitch. Stud owners should look upon such a person who has a plan as someone with well-intetioned thoughts and goals in their commitment to produce a quality litter.

We have always planned years ahead regarding the direction we are taking with our bitches. We analyze every breeding on paper. We observe both prospective mates as they mature and study the get on the ground. Being familiar with the male's qualities and staying in good communication with his owners will help finalize decisions on who is best suited to the bitch.

For the most part, we prefer to take the artificial route with our breedings. We are ableto see the quality of semen, reduce the chance of passing along any bacteria from either dog, minimize injury risk to either dog and increase the chance for the semen to feritlize the eggs.

For this particular breeding with the red maiden, Sprague, we have opted to surgically implant fresh chilled semen from a male who lives on the other coast. Our other choice males are in a frozen state and because the semen is extremely limited, it was not a chance we would want to take with a bitch that has never conceived a litter.

With this in mind, we opted to the alternative plan - a breeding that would join our program's genetics with Al & Diane Batchelor's, "Tru Grit" program. Having studied their program over the years, this was an exciting venture to consider - especially since one of our male's ancestry can be traced back to their line.

Once our sire is selected, it is a matter of waiting for the bitch's heat cycle. The advantage of having an astute stud dog on our property is that we know days before the bitch actually spots blood that their heat cycle is pending. Our male, Tug, lets us know the time is near because this normal chowhound will refuse his meals.

When we see definite signs that our bitch is cycling, we contact the stud owner and let them know that she is in heat. We also call our vet and schedule a progesterone test to see where her present level is. Progesterone tests are performed by asimple blood draw. The blood is spun down to plasma and measured for its progesterone level.

Progesterone tests are measured in nanograms (ng). If a bitch has alow progesterone concentration level (below 1.0 ng), then it indicates that she is not ready to ovulate. When her progesterone concentration begins to rise (above 2.0 ng), it indicates that she is approaching ovulation. It takes approximately three days for the egg to mature following ovulation to be fertilized. Therefore, mating should be planned between 4-6 days after the levels reach 2.0 ng. When the level peaks (5.0 - 9.0 ng) this indicates the eggs are now mature and ready to be fertilized.

Sperm can live in the reproductive tract long enough for the eggs to mature and it is often noted that higher reproduction rate occurs when semen is introduced a day or two after ovulation.This is why it is so important one should utilize progesterone timing tests when it comes to the success of a long distance planned breeding. It is additionally just as important for all parties involved to know what type of breeding (vaginal, endoscopic or surgical insemination) is going to take place because the timing does differ with each procedure.

Depending on preservation methods used: Fresh semen can live up to 4 hours after it is ejaculated; diluted and cooled semen can live 4 days and lastly; diluted frozen semen can be preserved indefinitely until it is used. What incredible advances in canine breeding!

Meet Sprague, she is our pending Mother-To-Be. She has arrived at Fairwood Animal Hospital and is patiently waiting for her turn to be seen by her vet, Dr Vic Perger. She will soon be weighed and prepped for the surgical procedure.

The picture on the computer monitor is linked to Dr Perger's microscope slide. We are able to see the slide he is viewing. This picture shows the semen that is presently being evaluated. The semen has arrived via UPS overnight delivery. It was carefully packed in a special container to keep it cool but not frozen. The semen has traveled in an extender solution. The extender solution helps to protect the fragile sperm and nourish it for several days until it is used. Dr Perger is checking it's overall quality - assessing quantity, progressive motility and it's physical qualities. Some sperm may have become damaged in the process of collecting, shipping and prepping. Sperm that has broken or bent tails, bent heads, double heads, no heads or any other negative physical characteristics will cause it to not be able to swim properly. Damaged or deformed sperm usually swims in circles, or doesn't move forward at all. Sperm that has forward motion is described as having "progressive motility". The lack of progressive motility is not a good sight to see because the semen is not capable of traveling toward the egg. At this point, the excitement of seeing good healthy quality PROGRESSIVE sperm (and lots of it) is a great thing! Technology is fantastic!

Sprague had her abdomen shaved in preparation for the surgical implant procedure by Dr Perger and his talented technician, Laurie. Sprague was given a small amount of propofol (an ultra short acting anesthesia). She had a tracheal tube placed down her throat (to maintain an airway) and was carried into the surgical room. Once in the surgical room, Sprague was hooked up to various monitors that tracked her breathing, blood pressure and heart. She was also maintained on oxygen and sevofluron (a gas inhalant). Her legs were secured to keep her in position.

Here is Sprague moments before the actual surgery begins. She is in a state of complete relaxation.

Meet Dr Vic Perger, of Fairwood Animal Hospital! He is known amongst the area's serious dog fanciers as the "breeder veterinarian of choice" when it comes to reproductive matters. Dr Perger is in his sterile gown - all gloved up and ready to perform his surgical magic!

Hard to believe that inside these orange capped tubes is millions and millions of sperm actively swimming in the extender solution. The syringe stands ready to aspirate the inseminate fluid.

Dr Perger is making a small incision on Sprague's midline. His preference to cut here is largely due to the fact that he does not have to cut muscle tissue, thereby minimizing the layers that have to heal.

A close-up of the surgical site.

Dr Perger has located the uterine body and is bringing up the uterine horns so that he can implant the semen directly into them.

The semen is being aspirated into the syringe.

A soft pliable over-the-needle catheter tip is placed into the skin of one of the horns. A soft pliable tip is used because it causes less trauma to the organ and decreases the chance for possible infection. Dr Perger is holding both horns in his gentle grip, one on each side of his index finger.

This is it! The semen is being introduced slowly into one of the horns! Go Spermies, GO!

Dr Perger aspirates more inseminate to inject into the opposite horn.

The second horn is now receiving an injection of semen. Our stud owner, Al Batchelor, has sent more than enough semen to get the job done.

Dr Perger gently places the uterine horns back inside Sprague's body cavity. Skin glue is used to seal the tiny entry holes that were made on each of the uterine horns by the soft pliable catheter.

The surgical site is sutured closed with Dr Perger's fancy needlework.

Sprague's abdomen after Dr Perger is done. It is downright amazing to think that just moments ago, her reproductive system was visible to the naked eye! This procedure is relatively quick and simple for the experienced veterinarian. Within minutes of being taken off the monitors and sedation, Sprague was awake and semi-alert. She stayed in the clinic for observation until Dr Perger felt confident that she was responding with normal reaction. She was then released to my care.

Here is Sprague a couple days after the procedure. Due to her recent surgical procedure, she is being kept indoors 100% for close monitoring.

Now we wait (and wait and wait, or so it seems!)

After careful consideration and planning, we have put our breeding plan into action. We hav ecounted the days for SPrague to come into heat. We have carefully monitored the rise of her progesterone to know when the time was right to breed. We crossed our fingers that our stud owner and his dog would be available to collect the semen. We said quiet prayers that the semen would arrive healthy and progressive. We held our breath while the surgical procedure was being performed. But it is not over for this breeder yet!

Taking a deep breath in, we must now patiently wait for those little chromosomes to start splitting to form little embryos that will soon develop into puppies. We plan to ultrasound to confirm prgenancy. We won't know if we are pregnant for another 3-4 weeks. Are we or arent we - your guess is as good as ours!

Author's note: I hope you enjoyed reading this. As Breeders, it is beneficial to share information that will help others. Working together and maintaining an open line of honest communication will help maintain our breed's health. Remember too; always keep your veterinarian as a close member of your breeding program.

A very special "THANK YOU" to Dr Vic Perger and his stellar staff at Fairwood Animal Hospitial in Spokane, WA. They were extremely patient and very accomodating in assisting me to write this article.