Our Theriogenology and Reproductive Medicine service is here to guide you with expert, compassionate care through every single step. We handle all phases of breeding, from pre-planning and fertility work-ups to managing pregnancy, birth, and any complications that may arise. Whether you’re a dedicated breeder or a pet owner preparing for a first litter, we know your top priority is the health and safety of your dog or cat.
What is Theriogenology?
It’s a very specialized-sounding name, but a theriogenologist is a veterinarian who is a board-certified specialist in animal reproduction. Think of them as the “OB/GYN” and fertility expert for the veterinary world. They have completed years of advanced training specifically in reproduction, obstetrics, and the medical or surgical management of reproductive health. Seeing a specialist means your pet is getting the highest level of care from a recognized expert in the field, one who is certified by the American College of Theriogenologists and recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
How We Can Help: Our Services
Our goal is simple: to provide you with peace of mind and help you achieve the safest, healthiest outcome possible for your pet and their future litter. We tailor our services to your specific needs.
Breeding Soundness Evaluations
This is the all-important first step. A “fertility work-up” for both the male and female lets us proactively check for any health or reproductive concerns. It’s the best way to ensure your pet is healthy and ready for breeding, and it helps prevent potential heartache down the road.
Artificial Insemination (AI)
We use advanced, minimally invasive techniques to give your pet the best chance of a successful pregnancy. This often involves using a soft, flexible scope (hysteroscopy) to gently and precisely place semen. AI is a wonderful, safe option for many situations, including using chilled or frozen semen or helping with certain types of infertility.
Semen Collection and Storage
We offer professional semen collection for fertility analysis or breeding. For breeders looking to preserve a valuable bloodline or plan for the future, we also provide expert semen freezing (cryopreservation), which allows it to be safely stored for years or shipped.
Obstetrics and Pregnancy Monitoring
We’ll be with you from day one, monitoring your pet (the dam) throughout her pregnancy. We use diagnostics to ensure she’s healthy and the babies are developing properly. this careful monitoring helps us plan for a safe delivery, minimizes complications, and dramatically improves the survival of the newborns (neonates) during their fragile first weeks of life.
Cesarean Section (C-Section)
Sometimes, a natural birth just isn’t the safest path for the mother or her babies. A C-section is a surgical procedure to safely deliver the litter. This might be a planned procedure, especially for breeds that often have difficulty birthing (like bulldogs or pugs). It can also be an emergency. In either case, our experienced team is always ready to step in and provide this life-saving care for your pet and her newborns.
Meet Our Reproduction Specialist
Our Theriogenology and Reproductive Medicine service is led by Dr. Melissa Goodman, DVM. Dr. Goodman knows that this journey is one of both science and heart. She combines her advanced specialty training with a truly compassionate, hands-on approach, working closely with you to make sure you feel confident and supported every step of the way.
Melissa Goodman
DVM
HVSH