Dog breeders in the Hawkesbury can access a non-surgical artificial insemination procedure at North Richmond Veterinary Hospital.
Veterinarian Dr Michelle Dalli performs transcervical insemination, commonly known as TCI, which allows semen to be deposited directly into a dog’s uterus using a specialised endoscope and catheter.
Unlike surgical insemination, TCI does not require an abdominal incision and can generally be performed without a general anaesthetic. The endoscope allows the veterinarian to see the cervix and guide the catheter accurately during the procedure.
North Richmond Veterinary Hospital says TCI can be performed using fresh, chilled or frozen semen. It may be considered when natural mating is not possible or practical, including breeding programs using semen transported from interstate or overseas.
Accurate timing remains an important part of the process. Progesterone testing can be used to monitor ovulation and help determine the most appropriate time for insemination.
The hospital’s reproductive veterinary team is led by Dr Michelle. Its services include fertility management, ovulation timing, insemination procedures and pregnancy diagnosis.
The Australian Veterinary Association supports non-surgical insemination techniques and says surgical artificial insemination should not be performed in dogs because of the availability of less-invasive alternatives.
While TCI avoids surgery, it does not guarantee pregnancy. Results can be influenced by the timing of insemination, semen quality and the reproductive health of both animals.
Prospective breeders should also discuss genetic screening, inherited conditions, the health and age of the breeding animals and any pregnancy or birthing risks with their veterinarian before proceeding.
