Summary: Pre-breeding Protocols, Folic Acid, Cleft Palate and More<br> Photo of a puppy with a cleft palate<br> <br> Dr. Marty Greer, DVM, JD, joins us for an important conversation about pre-breeding protocols. Greer provides insight on what to do (hint: folic acid!) and what not to do to help ensure a healthy litter.<br> <br> Bitches who are to be bred should be started on a protocol 6-8 weeks ahead of estrus, Greer noted. Considerations include a proper diet, supplements and when to use flea, tick and heartworm treatments.<br> <br> "We know from livestock and wildlife that when females are just slightly soft they produce more offspring," Greer said. "They ovulate more if the caloric intake increases just before mating."<br> <br> Appropriate diets should include carbs, Greer said, and avoid phytoestrogens from peas/legumes. Owners should also supplement vitamin b9, folic acid, starting 2 months ahead of breeding to help prevent cleft palates. Greer recommends dosing 5mg/dog/day. For more information on some of the research on this topic, go to<br> <br> <a href="http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/documents/FolicAcidCleftPalateRoyalCanin.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/documents/FolicAcidCleftPalateRoyalCanin.pdf</a><br> <br> Studies indicate that breeders can insure a 50-70 percent reduction of cleft palates by using folic acid properly.<br> Cleanliness is next to godliness<br> Make sure your bitch is clean before visiting the vet or having her puppies. A bath and sanitary trim will keep the vet and the puppies happier!<br> What NOT to do<br> Vitamins A and D in excess during the first two trimesters can *cause* cleft palates, Greer said. She also noted that while most of us know not to give steroids orally during pregnancy, that even topical application in ears or eyes is contraindicated.<br> More myth busting and important advice<br> <br> * Can you or should you save cleft palate puppies -- Greer shares some of the hard choices to be made<br> * Goats milk and cataracts -- use an appropriate formula for dogs<br> * Colostrum/plasma -- frozen plasma can make all the difference<br> * Subcu fluids -- how and why<br> <br>
