When looking at progesterone levels and ovulation in dogs, different machines may supply slightly different results, so it is important to note there can be variations. One popular choice for people looking to get started with progesterone testing is the Wondfo progesterone machine, due to the sheer number of people now using it and the amount of support available online from other users.

Regardless of your machine, you will need to interpret your results and correlate them to your bitch’s cycle. Progesterone starts to rise towards the end of the heat cycle. When progesterone rises to around 2 ng/ml, luteinising hormone will peak and ovulation will take place 2 days later. You will then notice the bitch’s progesterone rise to 5ng/ml (this will also confirm ovulation). Canine eggs cannot be fertilised straight after ovulation and must wait 2 days for the eggs to fully mature typically: the progesterone range at this point will be 10ng/mg-20ng/ml and the bitch’s luteinising hormone will drop.

After ovulation and mating, progesterone blood results should not be used to confirm pregnancy, as the levels will be similar in pregnant and non-pregnant bitches. Levels will once again drop prior to parturition or at the end of dioestrus in non-pregnant bitches. However, a stable progesterone level above 2.6ng/ml is needed to maintain pregnancy.

If we are testing progesterone for whelping, if the progesterone is above 5ng/mg it is unlikely that spontaneous parturition is likely. If progesterone is below 2.8ng/ml, it will be likely that spontaneous parturition will happen in under 48 hours.

Remember, retrieving blood samples is an act of veterinary profession, so cannot be undertaken outside of veterinary practice or by lay persons in the UK. In the United States, it is permitted to draw blood from your own animal only.

Wondfo progesterone test kits can be found here.