What to Expect at Your Small Animal Reproduction Appointment
Select Dr. Horner as your Primary Reproductive Veterinarian for Breeding
STEP 1 - Complete the appointment request form
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule your first appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form, your dog’s health records and health testing has been received, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your first appointment. We recommend scheduling the first appointment 5-7 days after first signs of heat.
STEP 3 - Attend first appointment
What to expect at your first visit:
STEP 4 - Receive progesterone results
After each progesterone appointment we will email you results as soon as we have them. At this time, we will give our recommendations and schedule any follow-up appointments.
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule your first appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form, your dog’s health records and health testing has been received, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your first appointment. We recommend scheduling the first appointment 5-7 days after first signs of heat.
STEP 3 - Attend first appointment
What to expect at your first visit:
- Initial blood work includes progesterone, brucellosis test, any other health profiles you would like run, as well as vaginal cytology (patient willing).
- In house results must be collected prior to 3pm to obtain same day results.
- For any culture or send-out labs, preliminary results will be available in 3-5 business days, and finalized results will be available in 7-14 business days.
STEP 4 - Receive progesterone results
After each progesterone appointment we will email you results as soon as we have them. At this time, we will give our recommendations and schedule any follow-up appointments.
To collect from your stud
STEP 1 - Complete the appointment request form
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule the collection appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form along with your dog’s health records and all health testing, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your appointment. Appointments are available Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
STEP 3 - Information for additional forms
STEP 4 - Attend collection appointment
What to expect at your visit:
STEP 5 - Receive freeze results (frozen semen only)
Frozen samples will be evaluated 1-2 weeks after freezing, which is when you can expect final freeze results.
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule the collection appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form along with your dog’s health records and all health testing, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your appointment. Appointments are available Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
STEP 3 - Information for additional forms
- For clients scheduling only a breeding soundness exam and semen assessment, no additional forms are necessary.
- For clients scheduling semen collection for shipping chilled semen, no additional forms are necessary (shipping information is already collected as part of the appointment request form). Please bring payment information for semen shipment to the collection appointment.
- For clients scheduling semen collection for freezing, you will be asked to complete the following forms at the time of your appointment. Please ensure you have your studs registration number, sire information, dam information as well as the studs co-owners information if applicable.
- Frozen Semen Certificate
- Frozen Semen Storage Contract
- Semen Co-Ownership Authorization
- Semen Release Form (if semen will not be stored at SPH)
- PLEASE BE AWARE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE YOUR SEMEN COLLECTION FOR FREEZING APPOINTMENT WITHOUT THE ABOVE INFORMATION.
STEP 4 - Attend collection appointment
What to expect at your visit:
- We recommend bringing your own teaser to the appointment, so please try to schedule accordingly.
- If you do not have a teaser available, we can potentially schedule the collection while we have an in-heat female here for progesterone timing.
- We cannot guarantee we will have a teaser available for your collection.
- If we do provide a teaser, we will be extremely cautious with her and our safety.
- We will NOT collect from an aggressive dog.
STEP 5 - Receive freeze results (frozen semen only)
Frozen samples will be evaluated 1-2 weeks after freezing, which is when you can expect final freeze results.
- We will email you a report with all the sample information (post-thaw motility, post-thaw morphology, etc.) and how many breeding units your dog produced.
- If the sample did not tolerate the freeze process, we may recommend not keeping this sample. At this time we will also discuss our recommendations to improve future freezing results.
- After you have been contacted with post-thaw results, you will be charged for the freeze based on the number of breeding units.
- Semen storage will also be charged at this time and will be prorated for the remainder of the calendar year. Future storage will be charged annually at the beginning of the calendar year.
- If you choose to transfer the sample or if you chose to have the sample destroyed, we will require a completed and signed semen release form.
Reproductive diagnostic services only
STEP 1 - Complete the appointment request form
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule an appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your appointment. Please note that diagnostics-only appointments do not include an exam.
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule an appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your appointment. Please note that diagnostics-only appointments do not include an exam.
Reproductive medical conditions or breeding soundness exams
STEP 1 - Complete the appointment request form
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule an appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form and your dog’s medical records, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your appointment.
Appointment Request Form
STEP 2 - We will email you to schedule an appointment
Once we receive the completed appointment request form and your dog’s medical records, we will reach out via email within 1-2 business days to schedule your appointment.
Ship frozen semen
STEP 1 - Contact us
Let us know when the sample needs to arrive at its destination.
STEP 2 - Complete the frozen semen release form
Complete the frozen semen release form and email it to [email protected].
STEP 3 - Receive tracking information
We will email you tracking information once the package is with FedEx.
Let us know when the sample needs to arrive at its destination.
- We prefer as much notice as possible, but at least 7 days is recommended. Fewer than 72 hours notice will result in additional charges.
- Provide shipping and payment information if you are not the party responsible for payment.
STEP 2 - Complete the frozen semen release form
Complete the frozen semen release form and email it to [email protected].
STEP 3 - Receive tracking information
We will email you tracking information once the package is with FedEx.
Caesaren Sections
At Springbank Pet Hospital, we are pleased to announce that we will be offering caesarean sections for our reproduction patients. Both scheduled and emergency caesareans will be available during working hours. Please note that the decision to proceed with a caesarean will be made by Dr. Horner based on the specific circumstances of each case. While we do prefer natural births for our patients, Dr. Marcia Lembo will be performing the procedures, with Dr. Horner present to assist and ensure proper puppy resuscitation when needed. Your pet's health and safety are our top priorities.
Dr. Marcia Lembo DVM
Dr. Marcia Lembo is a dedicated veterinary surgeon with over two decades of experience in the field of animal surgery. A graduate of the University of São Paulo in Brazil, she earned her degree in 2000 and quickly opened her own clinic in 2001, where she honed her surgical skills and developed a passion for soft tissue surgery.
Between 2004 and 2006, Dr. Lembo pursued a Master’s degree in Soft Tissue Surgery at the University of São Paulo, further enhancing her expertise. From 2012 to 2019, she served as a soft tissue surgeon and was on call at Centro de Saúde Animal Jardins, where she gained invaluable experience in a wide range of surgical procedures.
In 2019, Dr. Lembo relocated to Canada, and by 2021, she began her work as a veterinarian in Ontario at a downtown cat clinic. She then moved to Alberta, where she contributed her skills at Properties Animal Clinic and later at Sherwood Animal Clinic in Regina. Most recently, in 2024, she joined Springbank Pet Hospital, continuing her commitment to providing exceptional veterinary care.
Dr. Lembo's primary focus is on soft tissue surgery, driven by her unwavering dedication to enhancing the well-being of her patients. With her extensive background and a keen interest in advancing her surgical capabilities, she strives to deliver the highest standard of care to every animal she treats.
Dr. Marcia Lembo DVM
Dr. Marcia Lembo is a dedicated veterinary surgeon with over two decades of experience in the field of animal surgery. A graduate of the University of São Paulo in Brazil, she earned her degree in 2000 and quickly opened her own clinic in 2001, where she honed her surgical skills and developed a passion for soft tissue surgery.
Between 2004 and 2006, Dr. Lembo pursued a Master’s degree in Soft Tissue Surgery at the University of São Paulo, further enhancing her expertise. From 2012 to 2019, she served as a soft tissue surgeon and was on call at Centro de Saúde Animal Jardins, where she gained invaluable experience in a wide range of surgical procedures.
In 2019, Dr. Lembo relocated to Canada, and by 2021, she began her work as a veterinarian in Ontario at a downtown cat clinic. She then moved to Alberta, where she contributed her skills at Properties Animal Clinic and later at Sherwood Animal Clinic in Regina. Most recently, in 2024, she joined Springbank Pet Hospital, continuing her commitment to providing exceptional veterinary care.
Dr. Lembo's primary focus is on soft tissue surgery, driven by her unwavering dedication to enhancing the well-being of her patients. With her extensive background and a keen interest in advancing her surgical capabilities, she strives to deliver the highest standard of care to every animal she treats.