Monday December 3rd was the day according to Guilty’s previous progesterone tests that she should be ready to be bred via surgical insemination. Guilty came into heat on November 16, we waited 8 days before we started progesterone testing. The progesterone testing would tell us her hormone level so we knew where she was at in her heat cycle. We drew blood again three days later then another three days later than one day later. According to those results she ovulated sometime Friday night. After ovulation the eggs need time to mature while doing so the progesterone levels continue to rise. For a surgical AI the progesterone should be between 20-30ng/ml that way the semen is introduced right when the eggs are mature so they can get down to business and attach. Now that isn’t an exact science to the high level as some bitches have gotten pregnant over that level when I asked Dr. Greer about the timing for the surgical ai.

We arrived at Veterinary Village in Lomira at 3 p.m. to start all her presurgical testing.

Blood was drawn first to check her progesterone level today to make sure everything was right on track. Pre surgical bloodwork was done as well to make sure her internal organs were working up to par and that the surgical procedure would be safe for her.

Guilty watching the staff at work.

Second was a ECG – Electro Cardiogram to make sure there were no abnormalities with her heart.

Mom, am I gonna carry the golden child I keep hearing about?

Guilty is getting very very sleepy, she was given her pre anesthetics to make her sleepy for her IV cathater and induction medication before her general anesthesia.

Prepping for her IV Catheter placement.

Placing the catheter, this will be where the induction anesthetic goes and the IV fluids during the surgery.

Dr. Greer sporting her surgical attire! I had given Dr. Greer some Guilty shirts and she chose this occasion to wear it. I was totally surprised. I wore Veterinary Village’s International Canine Semen Bank shirt in honor of Norman who is on ice at the clinic.

I told Dr. Greer that she was really clever thinking of wearing Guilty’s shirt, that I didn’t even think of that. She said “well I can fix that”, and she tossed me my own shirt. Dr. Greer delivered Guilty into this world on 2/6/16 this day is going full circle.

Norman has entered the building.

And so it begins, Guilty is getting her induction anesthetic.

Shaving her abdomen so there is a sterile field for the surgery.

Saying hi to Norman, he’s on dry ice waiting.

Moving Guilty into the OR and prepping her for surgery.

Dr. Greer starting the procedure.

Thawing Norman getting him ready to come back to life.

Double checking one last time that it is indeed Norman in the tube.

Warming Norman up.

Checking Norman under the microscope to make sure he is alive and kicking before implanting. No sense implanting dead semen.

Dr. Griffiths transporting Norman into the OR, Dr. Greer said Guilty’s uterus looks great.

Drawing up the semen.

Guilty meet Norman, Norman meet Guilty.

Two thumbs up! Norman is in place.

Finishing up the surgery.

And she’s done! Time to recover Guilty.

Guilty is in recovery, waiting for the anesthetic to clear her system and then she will wake up, once she swallows they can remove the breathing tube.

Hello Guilty, the golden egg is in place, you hopefully will carry the golden child.

We were able to leave the clinic shortly after she woke up. Once home daddy took care of his little girl. Guilty recovered nicely from the surgery. Now we wait for the ultra sound to confirm a pregnancy in 30-33 days.

A huge shout out to the staff at Veterinary Village for another job well done. Thank you Dr. Greer and Dr. Griffiths for all that you do, you have a great staff and us breeders would be lost without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.