Re: the mismate shot

Question
QUESTION: Renee, my female is almost 17 months of age. This was her second heat cycle, if this helps. I have read up on the mismate shot, to be honest the side affects scare me in reguards to future breedings. Plus the health of the dog on side affects.
I live in the country so vet help is scarce. I have never used this vet that I spoke with, only because I have never had to use one where we "recently" moved too. Til this happened.
I have read on the web about the shot, mismate, I read about one called Prostaglandins, this is not a true mismate shot but can be used before pregnancy is recognized. Used only after the 4th or 5th day of diestrus. Sound familiar?? I am going in to the vet with all this info. I found, I wondered and will ask if this is what he is using when he mentioned to me about a shot given during the 3rd, 4th, 5th, day after a misbreeding. From the sounds of this shot, the female has side affects but is able to reproduce in the future. It makes me feel "secure" to know that if you were in my situation that you would use the shot, knowing the side affects of the mismate shot. I guess I worry about the future of her reproducing afterwards, along side the side affects of this shots. I just want to do right by my female, and not harm her physically, since she is being used for breeding, and not yet had her tests or of age to actually breed her, this has came across at a time of so many decisssions, and wanting to act fast in the dogs best intrests, sound confusing? I just want to do things right, but feel that being on such a time limit, I have to make a rational decision. Your help and knowledge has been so helpful to me and I want you know that everything you have given me has made me more better and knowlegeable to make a decision, just hoping that I can get all the info. needed to make the right one. Thank you so much for ALL your help.

ANSWER: Well, you know, it would depend greatly on what my vet thought if I would use this shot or not. I would have no problem considering it, but would take my vet's advice on if he thinks it's safe for that particular female in that particular circumstance. I just want you to have all of the information so you can be informed. It sounds to me like you're still pretty uncertain about using the shot, and that's ok if you are. Just about every kind of medication that we give our dogs can have some kind of side effects. Your dog may be lucky, and not experience any, or may be one of the unlucky ones and experience them all. That's the bad thing about this, is that you honestly just don't know. That's why you have to decide on the lesser evil. If the best thing for your dog is to just have the litter, then I'm sure that's what you'll pick. It sounds to me like you really care for you dog. That's what makes it so hard to make a choice. You want to make the right one. Talk to your vet, show him all of your information, sit down with him, discuss all of you fears, and figure out what's best for your dog. We have to remember here, that she may not even be pregnant. After all of this worry, wouldn't that be funny! :-) Atleast you'll be prepared in the future. Please let me know what you decide to do. I'm here if you need anymore help.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well yesterday was our Vet appt. I took her and my "notes" that I had on the shot. I talked long with the vet about my concerns with using the shot. He told me the same as you, safer side, let her have the litter, since I'm not totally sure if she is "pregnant". I told him my thoughts on that, I am breeding my dog to better the breed and to give people a chance to own a wonderful Great Dane. I fell in love with the breed of this dog. I hope in time when I may be able to show these dogs, would be wonderful too.
I hate to take a chance of waiting to see if she could be pregnant, have an UNWANTED litter of puppies, since there is such an over population of UNWANTED puppies in the world now. Then try to find "good" homes for UNWANTED puppies. He said it sounded like I had my mind made up with using the shot, I said yes, only because I don't want to have a litter of UNWANTED puppies. I just hate to put my female at risk of a drug when I am not 100% sure she did breed. Sound Silly?? So yes, I went with the shot in hopes of not having Unwanted puppies, the side effects worry me, only for the health of my girl!
Like the Vet said there is always risks when using any drugs. I know that, I think that I made the right decision based on what I feel. Now I am hoping that the drug does not affect my female, sorry for the rambling! Yes, I do care greatly about my dane. That is why I am trying to "do" the right thing here as a breeder.
The vet did not use the Prostaglandins, he gave a shot ECP, Estradiol Cypionate, from what I read it is the safest of the mismate drug. Let's hope for the best.
I want to say Thank you for all your knowledge on this matter, having your input has made me think and decide on a decision about this drug. I find your thoughts to be comforting and informational. You have answered a lot of my questions and I hope in the future to come and be able to get your advice on things reguarding my Danes. Thank you so much for your time Renee.

Answer
You are very welcome! I'm just glad that I was able to help in any way. I think that you made the best decision for your dog, and a very informed decision. You should be proud of yourself! These types of decisions are very hard to make, even under the best of circumstances. I think that you'll make a really good breeder. Like I said, I'm glad that I was able to help, even though all I really did was just give you some information. You did the hard part. I'll be crossing my fingers for you and your girl. If I can help anymore in the future, feel free to holler!
P.S. My second breed is the Great Dane. I love these dogs! I've actually owned two myself, and helped whelp a few litters. Great dogs.