Vaginoscopy for transcervical catherterization in the female dog
( Autumn Davidson DVM, DACVIM )
Transcervical catheterization is done in the standing female dog to inseminate the bitch with frozen semen, fresh chilled semen, or semen of poor quality. Catheterization can also be performed to sample the utereus for culture, cytology, or biopsy. The use of a special endoscope while the dog is in “standing estrous” avoids the need to anesthetize the dog for intrauterine administration of semen by laparotomy. This technique was developed by Dr. M. S. Wilson at Massey University, New Zealand and the material on this site was prepared by Dr. Autumn Davidson. She has performed hundreds of transcervical inseminations and is a frequent instructor in our endoscopy courses and at other meetings.
The vagina in the female dog is long and requires a elongated endoscope. In addition, the cervix appears to exit the vagina at a right angle to the lumen and there is a blind cul de sac just cranial to the external vaginal os.
Consistent transcervical catheterization requires direct visualization using a specialized 29 cm long cystoscope with a biopsy channel being used for a 8 Fr polypropylene urinary catheter. The equipment used is a rigid cysto-urethroscope (Storz Extended Length Cysto-urethroscope) which comprises a telescope with a 30? oblique viewing angle, a 3.5 mm sheath, bridge, xenon light source, and a video camera.
Dogs that are receptive to breeding can be gently restrained by one person while the operater performs vaginoscopy.
Once the cervical os has been catheterized, frozen semen is thawed.
Conception rates appeared to be increased when insemination is performed twice on separate days. The timing of ovulation versus insemination is critical for successful impregnation. Results have not been published, but clinicians report success rates approaching 100%. Although the technique is taught in introductory endoscopy courses, there is a learning curve that requires practice in order to master the technique.
Dr. Davidson has also found trancervical insemination to be effective for exotic and endangered animals, such as this cheetah.
Equipment required to do the procedure:
- Storz Extended Length Cysto-urethoscope: Telescope 30° 325 B, 3.5mm.
- Sheath 027KL Bridge 027NL.
Selected references:
- Wilson M S: Some aspects of artificial insemination in the bitch, using frozen semen. MVSc Thesis, Massey University, New Zealand, 1992.
- Wilson M S: Non surgical intrauterine artificial insemination in bitches using frozen semen. J Reprod Fertil (Suppl) 47: 307, 1993.