What are the causes of infertility in female dogs?
Fertility problems in female dogs can be broken down into broad categories: abnormal estrous cycling, failure to copulate (breed), failure to conceive, and pregnancy loss.
Abnormal estrous cycling is a term used to describe a female dog that is not experiencing normal heat cycles. These abnormalities may include delayed, absent, or irregular cycles. A normal female dog should begin having estrous (heat) cycles by two years of age.
There are several stages in the estrous cycle; the stage called estrus refers to when the female is in heat or is sexually receptive. Once these cycles begin, the dog should experience estrus at regular intervals. Most female dogs cycle every four to ten months, although some dogs may only cycle once per year.
Primary persistent anestrus describes a female dog that has reached two years of age without estrous cycling. This condition may be caused by several factors including malnutrition, excessive physical activity, medications that interfere with fertility, or a lack of exposure to other cycling females.
If a dog has experienced one cycle but does not cycle again, secondary persistent anestrus may be diagnosed. This term describes a delay of over 18 months since the last estrus. In some dogs, this is an age-related condition; dogs under two years of age may experience irregular cycles and the same is typically seen in older dogs.
A variety of infections (e.g., E. coli, brucellosis, ureaplasmosis) and metabolic diseases (e.g., renal failure, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease) may cause systemic diseases that can lead to a failure to cycle. Exposure to oral and topical steroids (such as those used by humans), hormonal imbalances, and ovarian tumors may also lead to persistent anestrus.
A dog that remains in heat for over six weeks is diagnosed with persistent estrus. Causes of persistent estrus include exposure to exogenous hormones (intentionally or unintentionally), hormonally active ovarian cysts, and ovarian tumors.
Irregular estrus cycling indicates that the ovaries are not functioning properly. In this case, abnormal hormone levels are often responsible for a failure to trigger regular estrous cycles.
Additionally, hormonal imbalances and genetic disorders may prevent normal estrous cycles. Some dogs experience a condition called silent heat, in which they do ovulate but the characteristic signs of being in heat, such as vulvar swelling and discharge, are not observed. Although rare, some dogs may also have an autoimmune disease that affects their ovaries and interferes with estrous cycling.
If the time of fertility is inaccurately estimated, this may lead to the female being unwilling to copulate. Many cases of female infertility are likely related to poorly timed breeding.
Behavioral factors may contribute to a refusal to copulate. These factors include a dominant female dog refusing to stand for a submissive male, attempts to breed a female that is sexually immature, a stressful or otherwise unpleasant breeding environment, and inappropriate behaviors by either the male or female.
Physical factors may contribute to a failure to copulate if they are a source of pain for the female. Common physical factors include hereditary abnormalities of the vagina, a history of vaginal trauma, or vaginal growths. Additionally, conditions such as osteoarthritis or back pain may make females resistant to standing for a male.
If a dog successfully conceives, what can cause pregnancy loss?
Pregnancy loss may be attributed to several factors. Imbalances in reproductive hormones may result in insufficient hormone levels to sustain a pregnancy. Other hormonal imbalances (e.g., diabetes and hypothyroidism) may affect reproductive hormone levels and result in pregnancy loss. The administration of certain drugs (e.g., corticosteroids) may lead to fetal death, as can some infections (e.g., Brucellosis).
Treatment of Infertility (Female) in Dogs
Before any course of treatment is decided, your veterinarian will rule out improper breeding management as the cause of the perceived infertility. In many cases, this is done by having the male mate with another female to determine if he is capable of impregnation.
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How to Avoid Pregnancy In Dogs | Simple Methods Permanent & Non-Permanent | Vet Furqan Younas
You have the right sire selected for your special female and a list of potential puppy buyers, eager for their new family member. But a few weeks after breeding, you get the disappointing news that your bitch is not pregnant.
There are several reasons a breeding may not result in a pregnancy or full-term whelping. Knowing more about fertility concerns in dogs can help breeders use best practice methods for breeding. We talked with Kate E. Withowski DVM, of Veterinary Medical Center of Easton, MD and a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists, about common causes of infertility in female dogs.
Mistiming of ovulation is the primary reason for breeding to not result in pregnancy. The canine heat cycle has three stages: proestrus, oestrus and anestrous. Ovulation occurs during oestrus, which begins approximately nine to 12 days after the heat cycle begins and lasts approximately nine to twelve days. This is the time when the bitch should be bred.
Dr. Withowski recommends that breeders work closely with a veterinarian who has experience in ovulation timing. The veterinarian will monitor your bitch’s heat cycle through vaginal cytologies, progesterone and possibly LH testing to better predict the right time to breed. Withowski suggests breeding twice during oestrus to ensure the best chances of insemination.
Cystic endometrial complex (CEH) occurs over time because of progesterone following a normal heat cycle. The presence of CEH makes the uterus a more hostile place for fetuses to grow and increases a bitch’s chances of developing a pyometra.
“I would encourage owners to think about planning to breed their bitch by the time she is 2 or 3-years-old to avoid age and CEH-associated infertility issues,” Dr. Withowski said.
The physical condition of the bitch can also affect her fertility. Dr. Withowski recommends that bitches be in good health, health tested according to their breed club recommendations, up to date on vaccinations, and free of any underlying disease. They should be in healthy weight (neither over– or under-weight) and eating a well–balanced commercial diet approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials or a homemade diet created with the aid of a veterinary nutritionist. If a bitch is due for vaccines, they should be performed no later than three weeks prior to her cycle. She should be kept on heartworm and flea/tick preventatives that are labeled safe for pregnant dogs.
The semen sample and breeding method can impact the chances of pregnancy, even if the timing of ovulation is correct. Poor semen quality and sample type (fresh, chilled, or frozen) can be one reason for pregnancy not occurring. Dr. Withowski said the insemination method (natural, vaginal AI, intrauterine AI – transcervical or surgical) can impact pregnancy rate and litter size in bitches. Research should be performed to determine the best method and semen type for your breeding desires.
Though brucella canis infections in dogs are rare, the bacteria can have devastating consequences. Such consequences include male and female infertility, abortion and puppy loss. Prior to breeding, both the bitch and the dog should be tested for Brucella. This is an easy blood test that can be performed during semen collection or ovulation timing visits. If any dogs show positive on screening tests, then further testing is required.
Breeding dogs can be fun and rewarding, but it can also bring frustration and loss. Following these recommendations can give you a good start in your breeding program. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC eBook
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