Artificial Insemination
At Highland Pet Hospital we are experienced in all forms of artificial insemination. There are many different factors that can determine which method will be the best for your pet- when a natural breeding may not occur due to the location of the sire or the dam, or if other physical or behavioral issues do not allow for natural breeding to happen.
Transvaginal Insemination
This is the most common, and least complex form of AI. With transvaginal insemination, a pipette is inserted into the vagina just below the cervix.
It is highly recommended that only fresh or fresh-chilled semen be used in this technique with a bitch that is known to have good fertility. Many breeders perform this technique without the assistance of a veterinarian- but we don’t recommend it for novice breeders without proper supervision and education. A failed breeding may occur as a result. We’d be happy to show you how to do this.
Just like the name would suggest, the insemination takes place with the semen being deposited within the uterus, past the cervix. If the quality of the semen to be used frozen, or of questionable quality, transcervical insemination is a better choice. We use a special instrument to pass through the cervix to deposit the semen.
Surgical Insemination
Surgical insemination often is considered the last resort for AI, but actually can be the most effective in cases when using frozen semen, or the semen is of questionable quality. We may also suggest surgical insemination for females with known poor fertility or with uterine pathology. This method does require for the pet to be put under anesthesia, as we will making an incision into the abdomen, and depositing the semen into the uterus. Artificial Insemination has become widely accepted and popular- and we can discuss which option may be best for your pet if a natural breeding is not an option. If the estrus cycle has been managed properly, conception rates are exceptionally high for all methods.