Did you know that not all dogs can reproduce naturally? If you’re a non-breeder, you probably don’t know this or how canine infertility can affect dogs.
In this article, we will be exploring dog fertility, dog sperm analysis, and how to increase fertility in dogs.
Importance of Dog Sperm Analysis
An analysis of the dog’s semen will reveal fertility issues in dogs. If your dogs have trouble reproducing or seem infertile, an analysis of their semen will provide answers. You can’t solve a problem without knowing what the actual problem is.
Early detection can help and guide you through the next steps. And while there is no guarantee your dog will breed successfully, there are certain things you can do to improve their fertility and chances of success.
But what makes dogs infertile? We’ll discuss that in the next section.
Factors Affecting Dog Infertility
There are many factors affecting dog fertility. These factors include, but are not limited to:
● Age
Old age is the most common cause of infertility in dogs. Male dogs are considered elderly at 10 years old (7 years old for females).
The best time for dogs to breed is between 1 and 2 years old because age affects a dog’s sperm quality.
Sperm cells in dogs can also be frozen. So if you’re a breeder, you may want to consider freezing your dog’s sperm and placing it in the care of a semen storage bank for future use.
● Heat Stress
High temperature affects a dog’s fertility. A temperature over 105°F can make a dog infertile. So if you’re keeping your dogs outside, make sure the kennels are under a shade and protected from the sun.
● Sperm Count
A dog’s sperm count can affect fertility because the chances of a female dog getting pregnant decreases with lower sperm count.
● Injuries to the Testes
Injuries to the testes can render a dog infertile. If your dog got an injury in the groin area, applying cool packs may help decrease testicular damage. Take your dog to the vet for testing and early intervention.
● Other Diseases
Some dogs are born with certain genetic defects, while others might develop infections later in life.
Some diseases can also cause infertility in dogs. Diseases like diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease are some examples of these.
How to Increase Fertility in Male Dogs
Male dog infertility is a common issue that affects an increasing number of dogs every year. To help your dog breed successfully, here are things you can do.
● Protect from high temperature
Protect your dog from heat stress and place their kennels away from direct sunlight. Because dogs have furs instead of skin, releasing excess heat is difficult for them.
If you think your dog may be suffering from heat stress, pour cool water immediately. Giving them cool water to drink also helps.
● Inclusion of Vitamin E in diet
Recent data shows that the inclusion of Vit E in a dog’s diet will improve fertility in dogs. Increasing your dog’s vitamin E intake may impact its fertility.
● Use male fertility supplements
Include male fertility supplements in your dog’s diet. There are many supplements in the market that help support fertility. Ask your veterinarian for more information or recommendations.
● Take a Vet Trip Regularly
To make sure your dog is at his optimal health, bring it to the vet regularly. Some diseases only appear later in life so early detection of these diseases will always be good.
Many factors can lead to male dog infertility. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know for sure what caused infertility in your pet. This is why it is important to visit the veterinarian regularly and as soon as possible if you notice breeding problems.
If you need dog sperm analysis tools and kits, visit MR Diagnostics and Services. They have tools that every dog breeder needs. Visit their site today.
