Progesterone "pre mating" blood test available (Results available in as little as 1 hour)*

Progesterone "pre mating" blood test available


At Hawthorn Vets, we have the latest in house laboratory equipment and can run a multitude of different tests on blood and urine. Progesterone assays is one of these - we see many owners and breeders to perform it and are experienced in interpreting the results to advise on the best time to breed your bitch.

If you are planning on breeding from your bitch, then measuring progesterone levels is an easy and reliable way of gauging the optimum time to mate. It will also give you a more accurate assessment of when your dog is likely to whelp than mating date because we have a good idea of when ovulation has occurred.

Once you have mated your bitch, you may want to take advantage of our pregnancy ultrasound scanning service to confirm that the mating is successful and other useful information. A 30 minute appointment with a veterinary surgeon which includes the scan is only £70 if you have had a progesterone blood test performed on your dog. Click here for more information.

The ideal time to mate is 48hrs after ovulation after progesterone levels rise to around 20 mmol/L which we can accurately measure to the same standard as an external veterinary laboratory. The test involves taking a small blood sample and we recommend starting this on around day 7 after the start of the season (vulval swelling and bleeding). We can obtain the results within the hour* and they will indicate what steps are required over the next 2-4 days depending on the result (when to retest or when to mate).



The cost of the test is only £65 and includes an appointment with a nurse to take the blood, the test itself and interpretation of the results by a veterinary surgeon to advise you on the next steps required.

If you would like to book an appointment for a progesterone blood test, you can do so online or by contacting the practice directly.

*while we will always endeavour to produce results within one hour, during extremely busy periods this may not always be possible, however, same day results are guaranteed.


Progesterone Blood Testingpregnancy ultrasound scanning service