Progesterone levels
(Can vary)
|
Approximate day of heat cycle.
(Can vary greatly)
|
Event
|
Action
|
| <1.0 |
1 - 6 |
Proestrus |
do a baseline progesterone level |
| 1.0 - 1.9 |
6 - 9 |
Ovulation minus approximately 3 days |
check progesterone levels and do smears
every
other day. Do LH peak if using frozen semen or semen of less than optimal
quality. |
| 2.0 - 2.9 (LH peak) |
9 |
Early Estrus
Ovulation should occur in 2-3 days. |
Continue to follow smears and progesterone levels until level of
4.0 - 5.0 is reached. This will help insure that ovulation has occurred. |
| 4.0 - 5.0 |
10 |
Mid estrus Ovulation occurs Eggs need 2 more days to mature |
Breeding to start in 2 - 3 days |
| > 6.0 - 8.0 |
12 |
Eggs are mature
|
Continue to follow smears. No further progesterone levels are required.
Breeding begins:
- Natural 2 - 3 days after a level of 4 - 5 is reached
- A.I. 2 - 3 days after a level of 4 - 5 is reached
- Surgical with frozen or compromised semen 3 days after a level of 4 - 5 is reached. 5 days after 2.0 - 3.0 is reached
|
| - |
16 - 19 |
Diestrus
Indicated by change in vaginal smears and/or failure of bitch to
stand for male |
|