Low sperm count

[maggiemay155]

Hi All
I have a male cavalier that has a very low sperm count. I wonder
if we do a surgical implant if there is a better chance of a
pregnancy??
kim

[lUvMyLaB<3]

I am sorry what?

Being that most of the people on this site do not breed animals, and believe pets should be spayed an neutered, I don't think you are going to find any of the advice you are looking for. Someone will be along soon and paste a link that may be informative for you.

My advice is get your dog fixed. Why are you wanting to breed your dog? Is he a champion? Has he had all the health tests? For a cavelier there are many many health concerns, and even breeding this breed is controversial. What steps have you taken to be sure that your dog will not pass on any of the issues that plague this breed? What is the reason you want puppies? Have you bred pups before?

[maggiemay155]

Yes they are both champions and a fully health tested with board
certified specialists. We check hearts, eyes, hips and patellas. The male
has had a MRI as well for SM.

[bendyfoot]

By "surgical implant", are you talking about artificial insemination? That's not going to help if the sperm count is low.

Is there a physical reason for the low count like an injury? I'm asking because I'm not sure that you'd want to use a dog with low sperm count in a breeding program if there's some kind of genetic defect involved.

[maggiemay155]

Not an AI. Surgically implanting the sperm in the girl. We don't
know why he has a low count. He comes from a line that has
never has this problem before. At least in the dogs that have been
kept intact. Of course the pet puppies were all spayed and
neutered so we can't check them

[bendyfoot]

I'm still not sure I understand. Basically you've got AI, which is simply inserting sperm into the uterus/reproductive tract and hoping it meets the egg(s) or you've got in vitro, which is the combo of surgically removing eggs from the female, fertilizing them with viable sperm from the male, and surgically implanting fertilized eggs back into the female. I don't think they do that for dogs, and if they did it would cost you a fortune (10's of thousands of dollars and no guarrantees). I would have to say that if you're having to go through all these lengths, it's time to find a new male for the breeding stock...this isn't something you'd want to perpetuate in a healthy line.

[CearaQC]

No offense, but if you were a licensed breeder you would have contacts in the field already and could ask for their opinions. And you would also consult a veterinarian.

This forum is pro spay/neuter. Many members here are very knowledgeable about pet medications and diseases but breeding is not something they are interested in discussing.

[maggiemay155]

Sorry I never saw that posted anywhere about only
spay and neuter. I have consulted a vet but I live in
a remote area and they are not repo specialists. I
will take my questions elsewhere