Guidelines for Reproductive Medicine Services and Surgeries
Effective: August 3, 2022
We offer specialized reproductive medicine services for pets, including gynecological and andrological examinations, semen preservation, semen insemination, and surgical procedures. As veterinarians, we consider it our duty to support animal breeding only when the animals are medically suitable for breeding. Animals that exhibit anatomical deformities or genetic traits associated with pain, suffering, or harm, or whose offspring are expected to suffer from problems associated with pain, suffering, or harm, must be excluded from breeding. Examples include hairless dogs and cats, as well as congenital defects such as hernias and cryptorchidism.
Furthermore, we cannot support breeding plans if there is an increased, foreseeable risk of birth complications or other stressors for parent animals or offspring. Additionally, we strictly oppose non-medically indicated surgeries and other procedures intended to correct or conceal anatomical defects in animals. Emergency veterinary care, such as obstetric care and neonatal emergencies, is of course exempt from these restrictions.
We do not consider it appropriate to provide a general list of breeds for which we decline to provide services, as we wish to maintain an open dialogue with pet owners and breeders and continue to provide education; furthermore, within every breed there are healthier and less healthy bloodlines or breeding animals. These guidelines specify the criteria animals must meet for us to actively support their breeding. In the following, they frequently refer to
brachycephalic dogs, with regard to brachycephalic syndrome (also known as BOAS), but also to other characteristics.
A) We cannot offer breeding support services if any of the following apply:
- “Anatomical characteristics associated with significant physical suffering and/or where it is expected that the offspring will also be affected” (e.g., severe wrinkling, severe degenerative joint diseases)
- Genetic mutations that are expected to result in anatomical characteristics associated with significant physical suffering and/or where the offspring are also expected to be affected (e.g., Scottish Fold)
- Abnormal breathing sounds at rest and during exertion (Grade II/III; see also: Exertion Grading)
- Moderately or severely stenotic nostrils (see also: Boas Scheme)
- A relative nose length of less than 33% of the skull length (see also: FECAVA)
B) The following principles apply to surgical procedures: Surgical operations must always be performed based on strict medical indications and in a manner that ensures the best possible medical outcome for the animal. For example, in the case of cryptorchidism (undescended testicle), the testicle should be surgically removed rather than relocated into the scrotum. We do not offer the following procedures:
- Cesarean sections without a medical indication
- Cosmetic surgeries such as testicular repositioning or mammary gland corrections
- The implantation of testicular replacement devices
- Surgical inseminations
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
