Reproduction

The Reproduction service at the UF Small Animal Hospital is committed to providing exceptional care to your pet. Services from pre-breeding assessment, vaginal or endoscopic transcervical (TCI) insemination, to pregnancy evaluation through post-partum care are offered in addition to:

Progesterone determination
Brucella canis testing
Semen collection, evaluation, and cooled shipment
Ultrasonography and radiology for both males and females
Addressing infertility issues for both males and females

Your pet will receive the highest quality of care from our board-certified veterinarian (specialized in reproduction/theriogenology), staff veterinarian, trained veterinary technician and possibly a veterinary student. Appointments are typically scheduled Monday through Friday between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. We are located within the UF Small Animal Hospital at 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608. To make an appointment, please call us at (352) 392-2235 and a dedicated Small Animal Reproduction representative will return your call to discuss further and schedule a specific appointment date and time.

Please note that while every effort is made to assist your pet in achieving pregnancy, veterinary involvement does not guarantee pregnancy. For additional information, please read more below or jump to the following Small Animal Reproduction sections:

What to Expect
Canine Brucellosis Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral from my veterinarian?
A referral from a family veterinarian is not required. However, we would prefer to work with your family veterinarian to provide you and your pet with the most comprehensive veterinary care.

What should I bring?
Please bring your pet’s medical records especially if this is your first visit for female dog breeding management or male dog fertility testing or have them emailed to reproduction@vetmed.ufl.edu. Medical records should include vaccine status, heartworm test results, and breeding or genetic test results if already completed elsewhere. See
http://www.caninehealthinfo.org/breeds.html for specific breed health testing information.

Will my pet be sedated? Do I need to fast him or her?
Although needing sedation is uncommon, it may be necessary for certain procedures. If your pet will need to be sedated, they should not eat after midnight the night before. However, it is important to give medication, if applicable, at the normal scheduled time. Water is always okay up until the appointment. Our team will provide specific instruction the day before your appointment in case fasting is required for your pet’s visit.

Why should an evaluation for breeding be conducted?
Every breed of dog or cat has its own health concerns for which screening evaluation(s) should be performed. This will help to lower the risk of genetic or congenital defects for the offspring.

For dogs, please visit The Canine Health Information Center site for the required or suggested pre-breeding health testing by breed. Per hospital policy, current Brucella canis testing is required of all breeding male and female dogs. Brucella canis testing is available onsite at UF with same day results, but on occasion pets do require outside laboratory specimen testing (at additional cost) which can take about a week for results.

For the female dog, ensuring that insemination is performed or mating scheduled during the most fertile period is important. During heat, timing of ovulation is done by testing for the hormone progesterone. Evaluation of vaginal cytology can also play a role in the evaluation of the cycle and for identification of infection. Initial progesterone testing is recommended during the latter part of the first week of heat. Please note that the average minimum age a female dog is eligible for breeding through our department is 18 months.

When should I contact UF for appointments?
Please let us know when you expect your pet to be in heat. Occasionally, there will be times when the veterinarian is out of office and reproductive services are not available. For routine breeding management and for timing of ovulation, it is recommended that your pet be initially examined during the latter part of the first week of heat. For infertility cases, please contact us for timing advice.

What is involved in a pregnancy evaluation?
Once breeding has occurred, we recommend ultrasound testing about one month later. If pregnant, this is followed by radiographs during the last 7 to 10 days of gestation. Ultrasonography will provide determination of pregnancy status and assessment of embryonic or fetal health. Litter number and size is best determined by the late gestation radiographs. Both ultrasonography and radiology examinations are important in assessing the pregnancy and whelping plan.

Do you perform any genetic or routine health testing for breeding dogs?
Yes, other specialty services located at the UF Small Animal Hospital perform OFA (hips, elbows, and other) certifications, cardiac (heart) screens, BAER (hearing) testing, and CERF (eye) evaluations. We often can arrange with the other specialty services to accommodate another appointment or consult during one visit, but please inquire further with Small Animal Reproduction for more information.