How Is Artificial Insemination in Dogs Done?
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Collection
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The first step in artificially inseminating a female dog is to collect semen from the desired stud dog. Usually, there is a female dog in heat present to help the stud dog get aroused. In this way, when he mounts, the penis is redirected into a small artificial vagina. But, if a bitch in heat is not available at the time, a stud dog's penis can be manipulated by hand in order for semen to be collected. According to Race Foster, DVM, another way to help get a male dog aroused is to present him with a cotton swab that has been inserted into the vagina of a female dog in heat. These can be frozen and thawed to use when necessary. It is also possible to contact a veterinarian who has experience collecting dog semen to do the procedure so the owner does not have to.
Transportation
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One of the advantages of having a vet do the semen collection is that the vet can also check to see the condition of the sperm. However, the sperm can also be checked after it has been shipped to the vet of the female dog. Unless there is a female dog in heat to be bred immediately, the semen is given extender fluid, such as tris glucose with egg yolk and glycerol. It is then chilled or frozen in containers of liquid nitrogen. Frozen semen can be used to breed female dogs all around the world. According to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Manual," it is harder to get a female dog pregnant with thawed frozen sperm than sperm fresh or chilled.
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Insemination
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The female dog is checked for heat and usually inseminated several times during the course of her cycle. She is placed in a standing position and the semen is inserted into her with a pipette. The length of the pipette depends on the size of the dog. Dogs weighing 10 pounds or less need 1.5 to 3 milliliters during insemination; dogs weighing up to 50 pounds need 3 to 5 mls and dogs over 50 ponds need 5 to 8 mls per insemination. The rear end of the female dog is elevated for five to 10 minutes to be sure the semen does not leak out. The female is closely watched for an hour to be sure she does not urinate.
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References
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- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
