| Hormonal Disorders
Hormonal disorders would have to be the leading cause in lack of conception. A vet specializing in reproduction may be able to help accurately diagnose the exact hormonal imbalance and may be able to rectify the problem, but it is a vastly complicated area. There are so many reasons why ovaries may not function or spermatozoa are low or non-existent. There may be ovarian cysts involved or any number of hormone related disorders. * * * * Low Grade Infections In my experience, there are some low-grade infections exhibiting very little outward signs that may be responsible for no conception in the bitch. There are tests that may be able to identify the problem, but in the cases where there is no identification made, you may be able to do the following with your vet's guidance. A broad-spectrum antibiotic may be used orally as soon as the bitch comes into season and for ten days into her season. If she conceives, it would be wise to repeat this treatment for up to fourteen days before she is due to whelp. Keep an eye on any suspicious discharge from the vulva of any breeding bitch before or after mating, and also examine the penis of stud dogs for the same. If you suspect there is a discharge, which is not right, have your vet examine the dog or bitch. * * * * Vaginitis Is an infection of the vulva and is characterized by a sometimes swollen, red, inflamed vulva. There may be some discharge and sometimes there may be pustules on the inside of the vulva. Best treated by your vet, but in addition I'd be cleansing the area with a disinfectant and making sure the bitch does not come in contact with other bitches. She should be kept in a clean environment. * * * * Dormant Ovaries This may be the case when a bitch has a normal season, then fails to come into season again. A treatment that had been successful for me with one such bitch was a hormonal stimulation. The bitch was injected with FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) injections for ten days and on the tenth day was injected with what was termed an "ovulation injection." My vet said the mating was to occur within forty-eight hours of this injection. The side effects with this hormonal treatment are an increase in litter size........ |
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