estrus

Question
Hello, Im breeding my 2 year old dalmatian and she went into heat over a month early. I went to the vet for progesterone testing and they want to do 3 tests during 3 days and several other tests... costing over $900 just to determine ovulation and to artificial inseminate her.
Being as though she is coming into heat a month early, i do not have the extra money to throw at the vet.
I am receiving 2 shipments of chilled sperm from across the US.
The only issue i have is determining estrus and ovulation. I bought these test strips called Wysong estrus test strips. They claim to be very effective. Is there any advice you have for me? She is in her 7th day of heat now.
I found a progesterone kit online for 200, would that be the way to go?

Thank you so much!

Answer
Hi Hailey

Females ovulate immature ova. It takes between 48 - 72 hours for the ova to ripen after ovulation. The ova remain alive and viable for another 2 - 3 days after ovulation.  So of course, timing is everything.

Fresh or fresh chilled sperm, remain alive in the bitch's reproductive tract for 5 to 6 days. Therefore, successful insemination can occur with the bitch being bred anywhere from 2 days prior to ovulation to 4 days after ovulation.  However it should be noted that chilled sperm has a viability of 75% so you want to ensure that the male who you are collecting from has good strong swimmers that are 100% healthy.

Are you having the vet surgically implant the semen or are you doing it via a tube?