Triggering Heat - It Can Be Done!

by Doc Roy

Bitch problems are a popular topic among breeders, but the truth is, most females have no problems. Dogs do everything to maintain their body and if there is excess nutrition or vitamins, they reproduce. The number one issue that costs us money is females that are not cycling. If we have a number of females not cycling, the first thing to look at is their diet and vitamins. Poor quality protein and imbalanced vitamins can be the cause, and you can correct cycling if they have the right diet, vitamins, and minerals. Diets that are inadequate often show up on the next litter. Mom gets pregnant, then gets into a deficiency in gestation and nursing, and eventually skips heats because of it.

In the wild dog pack, one or two alpha bitches will cycle, while the rest do not. There may be 4 or more females, but their ovaries will stay in anestrous (quiet ovary) and out of heat. This is good - the best genetics will breed while the rest contribute to feeding. Skipping heats can send normal adult bitches into anestrous as well.

Avoid Skipping Heat:

It's hard on moms to rest them and intermittently breed them. Typically the first litter after the “rest or skip” is difficult for the bitch and there will also be fewer weaned puppies than average. If we do a good job feeding and whelping females, giving them everything to help her do her job, she can cycle again without issue at their normal 6-7 month interval. The goal is genetic improvement and that takes litters to get that genetically exceptional puppy.

We also see this phenomenon in the kennel with the young female. We'll skip heats to get the dog physically and mentally ready to raise a litter, but some will stop cycling. Small breeds and especially poodles are notorious for doing this. This dog can be easily started again!

What To Do:

If several females are not cycling make sure everything is normal with their diet. Ask your veterinarian for help if there is any debate.

Supplement:

Put the females on a vitamin mineral supplement daily. More vitamin and mineral issues have been diagnosed in the last few years - there are many reasons, but the important thing is that they are easy to correct. While triggering heat we want optimum levels in the female. I like Doc Roy’s® DAILY CARE as it is easy to use, it's made in the USA, and it's economical.

Trigger Cycling:

In pigs, P.G. 600® is the hormone used to start cycling in gilts. It knocks the scar tissue off the ovary, allowing the ovary to start cycling. Dogs also respond well to this. Most will be in heat by the third week.

Manage the young female who is old enough to breed, but is not cycling. We are successful at triggering these maiden females to cycle again using P.G. 600® and nutrition. Once triggered to start, healthy females cycle regularly.

What If That Doesn't Work:

Most will trigger to start cycling (70%) if they have the ability! The next step is to ultrasound the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, but most issues here will never get pregnant. Remove the female not cycling from our breeding females and replace her with one selected from a “Push Button Female”. One who breeds easily and loves to raise puppies. Moms that are easier to handle and love being moms are much easier to manage effectively.

Managing females is all about getting the sire's and dam’s genetics to the next generation. A consistent, predictable, fertile heat cycle is the basis of getting that done

BELOW ARE ALL OF THE ARTICLES ON FILE ... BY DOC ROY

Arthritis/Joint

Controlling Osteoarthritis in our Pets

Hip Dysplasia in Dogs

Joint Health Supplementation

Joint Supplement Ingredients

Old Cats

Osteoarthritis in Cats

Prevention of Osteoarthritis in Dogs

Breeding & Genetics

Brucellosis**NEW**

Feline Heat Cycles

Hot Weather Breeding

Shipping Babies

Triggering Heat - It Can Be Done**NEW**

You Can Trust Your Parents

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Forti-Cal for Fast Energy

High Calorie Supplementation

Pet Nutri-Drops

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Common Age-Related Diseases in Cats

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Canine Influenza - H3N8 Virus

Distemper

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Disinfectants: Choose Wisely

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Remove Cat and Dog Urine Odors

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