Dr. O'Connor is a board certified specialist in the area of canine and feline reproduction, obstetrics,
neonatology, pediatrics, and medical genetics.
If you are interested in our specialty reproductive services, please e-mail our reproductive team: [email protected]
Please note that the following is a list of requirements specific to the East Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital Reproduction Services. The following are requirements for us to assist you with your exciting breeding plans and to schedule services.
Requirements:
- Pre-breeding exam with one of the EBVH veterinarians to screen for health issues prior to breeding and to develop a breeding plan.
- For clients who do not utilize EBVH as their primary care veterinarian, complete medical records from their primary care veterinarian need to be submitted to EBVH prior to any appointments being scheduled.
- Bitch and stud dog must be up to date on a heartworm/tick test (Flex4, SNAP, or 4DX test) within 12 months of breeding and the results submitted to EBVH.
- Bitch and stud must be up to date on rabies vaccination and a copy of the rabies certificate must be submitted to EBVH (receipts and reminders are not a legal certificate and cannot be accepted).
- A negative Brucellosis test within 30 days of breeding for bitch and stud dog are required for all breeding services and this can be performed at EBVH if needed.
- A copy of the registry certificate (ex. AKC registration certificate) must be supplied to EBVH.
- Bitch must be a minimum of 18 months (1.5years) old for ovulation timing and assisted breeding services.
- Stud must be a minimum of 18 months (1.5years) old for assisted breeding services.
- Elective cesarean sections are scheduled for our current clients only who have had a recent pre-breeding examination along with appropriate ovulation timing performed at EBVH, pregnancy ultrasound performed at EBVH to confirm pregnancy, and pregnancy x-ray performed at EBVH to confirm litter size. We DO NOT schedule elective cesareans for patients that did not have a pre-breeding examination along with ovulation timing at EBVH, a pregnancy ultrasound at EBVH and a pregnancy x-ray at EBVH.
Recommendations:
- Bitch and stud be up to date on distemper vaccination (DA2P), as well as other preventative vaccines based on lifestyle risks such as Lyme/Lepto/Bordetella if the owner/breeder so chooses.
- Current on heartworm and flea/tick prevention
- Permanent identification in the form of a microchip
- Breed specific health testing with results shared with EBVH. We recommend researching your breed’s standard and related health concerns through the: Orhtopedic Foundation of America and Canine Health Information Center OFA.org https://ofa.org/, American Kennel Club (AKC)https://www.akc.org/, United Kennel Club (UKC) https://www.ukcdogs.com/, and/or a specific breed parent club.
- Health Clearances:
- OFA hip and elbow x-rays with sedation
- OFA patella certification
- OFA thyroid testing
- OFA dentition and other phenotypic evaluations
- OFA cardiac auscultation only (no echo)
- Blood draw for genetic disease testing
- Complete Reproductive Examination:
We schedule complete reproductive examinations that begin with a complete physical exam to assess overall health. Any medical problems are identified and treated appropriately in order to optimize pregnancy success. We are very aware of the risks and benefits of any medication during pregnancy and lactation and are well suited to direct you to the best possible care for your pregnant girl.
- Vaginal examination to ensure that there are no physical obstructions, such as strictures, vaginal bands, or hyperplasia, that would impede a breeding or whelping.
- Brucella testing - protecting both studs and bitches from a devastating sexually transmitted disease.
- Nutritional discussion including foods and dietary supplements - which are helpful and which can be harmful as we plan for pregnancy.
- Ovulation timing (in-house allowing for same day results as well as reference lab submission)
- Artificial Insemination:
- vaginal insemination
- transcervical insemination
- surgical insemination
- Evaluation for pregnancy
- Ultrasound diagnosis with gestational aging
- X-ray - utilizing state of the art digital imaging for accurate litter size counts near term
- Infertility Diagnosis
- Semen Evaluation
- Fresh Chilled Semen Shipments
- Semen Freezing - cryopreservation with long term storage at Zoetis https://www.zoetisus.com/repro...
- Neonatal and Pediatric Care
- C-sections: Elective cesarean sections are scheduled 63 days from ovulation as indicated by the bitch’s progesterone levels (+/- 1-2 days). At EBVH, we schedule elective c-sections that have been appropriately timed, confirmed to be pregnant via ultrasound (through EBVH), and we have been involved with either the timing and/or breeding. We DO NOT schedule elective cesareans for patients that did not have a pre-breeding examination, ovulation timing and/or breeding services, a pregnancy ultrasound at EBVH and a pregnancy x-ray at EBVH.
Please note that our team works hard to accommodate the special needs of our reproductive clients. The size of our staff and our schedule limits the emergency care we can provide during our normal hours. This includes our clients who may need an emergency Caesarian (C-section) due to difficulty with their bitch/queen during whelping/queening. We thank you for your understanding as we are working hard to assist you with your reproductive care needs. We look forward to orking with you to accomplish your exciting breeding plans.
Some additional Resources:
- Birthing Puppies by Wendy Brooks DVM, DABVP -
https://veterinarypartner.vin....
- Dog Whelping: The Complete Guide: By Dr. Greer and the Revival Education Team -
https://www.revivalanimal.com/...
- Birthing Puppies: By Wendy Brooks, DVM, DABVPhttps://veterinarypartner.vin....
- Pregnant Dog Care: by Wendy Brooks, DVM, DABVP -
https://veterinarypartner.vin....
- American Kennel Club – https://www.akc.org/register/i...
- American Kennel Club - https://www.akc.org/expert-adv...
- Estrus Cycles in Dogs: Breeding, Care and Wellness: by Cheryl Yuill, DVM, MSc, CVH
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-...
- American Kennel Club – https://www.akc.org/breeder-pr...
- The Important Role of Breeders in Getting Puppies Off to a Healthy Start:
https://www.akc.org/expert-adv...
- How long should puppies stay with their mother? :
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/de...
