Who we are

A small animal reproduction specialist since 2005.

Our specialist

Dr John Watts is the director of Animal reproduction Australia Pty Ltd and has been a reproduction specialist in small animals since 2005. He has academic post graduate qualifications obtaining a PhD on Uterine Function and Dysfunction in bitches at Melbourne University in 1998. John became a Diplomate of the European College of Animal Reproduction in 2004. He was then an acting Chargé de Cours (Professor) in Small Animal Reproduction and Obstetrics at the University of Liège from November 2005 until September 2006. He also taught at the University of Milano and at St Georges University in Grenada. In 2020, John became a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons by a thesis in semen analysis. He founded Wyndham Veterinary Clinic in 2000. 

Post graduate qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Melbourne, 1998

  • Diplomate European College of Animal Reproduction 2004

  • Registered specialist, The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, United Kingdom, 2010

  • Fellow of The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons by thesis, United Kingdom 2020

Papers in scientific journals

  • Watts, J. R. (2021). Measurement of membrane integrity in canine spermatozoa using a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method after SYBR-14/PI staining compared with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. In press.

  • Watts, J. R. (2021). Evaluation of the use of SYBR-14 and propidium iodide stain in a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method in dogs. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 56, 89-102.

  • Watts, J. R. (2019). Measurement of membrane integrity in canine spermatozoa using a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method and manual counting after eosin-nigrosin staining compared with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 54(12), 1583-1595.

  • Watts, J. R. (2019). Development of a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method and a comparison of results for manual counting with a haemocytometer and computer-assisted semen analysis in dogs. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 54(11), 1477-1488.

  • Watts, J.R. The use of bipolar electrosurgical forceps for haemostasis in open surgical ovariectomy of bitches and queens and castration of dogs, J. Journal of Small Animal Practice 59 (2018) 465–473.

  • Jennings, K, Watts, J.R., Hypertrophic osteopathy in a castrated dog with prostatic carcinoma and prostatitis, Journal of Small Animal Practice 59 (11) (2018) 719-719.

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J. & Parry, B.W. (2001) Sodium cloprostenol administered at a continuous low dosage induced polydipsia and inhibited luteal function in early dioestrous bitches. Animal Reproduction Science. 67113-123

  • Williams B.J., Watts J.R., Wright P.J., Shaw G. & Renfree M.B. (1999) Effect of sodium cloprostenol and flunixin meglumine on luteolysis and the timing of birth in bitches. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. 116103-111.

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J. & Lee, C.-S. (1998) Endometrial cytology of the normal bitch. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 39 2-9

  • Watts, J.R. & Wright, P.J. (1997) Calcium cloprostenol administered in continuous low dose induced luteolysis and abortion in bitches. Theriogenology. 48 1313-1328

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J., Lee, C.-S. & Whithear, K.G. (1997) New techniques using transcervical uterine cannulation for the diagnosis of uterine disorders in the bitch. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 51 283-293

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J. & Whithear, K.G. (1996) Uterine and vaginal microflora of the normal bitch. Journal of Small Animal Practice 37 54-60

  • Watts, J.R. & Wright, P.J. (1995) Investigating uterine disease in the bitch: Uterine cannulation for cytology, microbiology and hysteroscopy. Journal of Small Animal Practice 36 201-206

Papers presented at conferences of learned societies

  • Watts, J.R. (2023) Use of TCI for the diagnosis and management of female reproductive conditions. Canine Transcervical Insemination: Introductory Course for Veterinarians, Australian Reproductive Veterinarians, JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

  • Watts, J.R., Norman, S. (2023) Overview of determining the timing of AI/equipment for monitoring P4. Canine Transcervical Insemination: Introductory Course for Veterinarians, Australian Reproductive Veterinarians, JCU, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2023) Diagnosis and management of uterine conditions using TCI. Annual Conference of the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2022) Is a second semen collection performed after 1 hour clinically useful for spermatozoal cryopreservation in dogs? Abstract. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on canine and feline reproduction, Milano, Italy

  • Watts, J.R. (2022) Differences between spermatozoal concentrations measured post-thaw during cryopreservation in dogs and those extrapolated from measurements on fresh semen Abstract. Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on canine and feline reproduction, Milano, Italy

  • Watts, J.R. (2019) Keeping out of trouble – paperwork and pre-breeding preparation. Invited speaker.November, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Queensland, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2019) Determining the time of ovulation in bitches. Invited speaker. November, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Queensland, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2019) Semen collection and analysis in dogs – including spectrophotometers, microscopes, and CASA options. November, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Queensland, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2019) The collection and preparation of chilled canine semen. Webinar. November, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2019) Measurement of spermatozoal concentration and percentage of membrane-intact spermatozoa using a newly developed computer-assisted semen quantification method in dogs. Invited speaker. July, Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Surfers Paradise, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2019) Comparison of the quantification of membrane-intact canine spermatozoa after a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method, manual counting after nigrosin-eosin staining and manual counting after CFDA-PI staining. Presentation and abstract. June, XXII Congress of the European Veterinary Society For Small Animal Reproduction 2019, Berlin, Germany

  • Watts, J.R. (2019) Comparison of the quality of cryopreserved canine semen after thawing into an isotonic standard thaw medium and into the original hypertonic freezing medium. Abstract. June, XXII Congress of the European Veterinary Society For Small Animal Reproduction 2019, Berlin, Germany

  • Watts, J.R. (2018) Comparison of a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method to manual counting with a haemocytometer. Presentation and abstract. June, XXI Congress of the European Veterinary Society For Small Animal Reproduction 2018, Venice. Italy

  • Watts, J.R. (2018) Comparison of a fluorescent computer-assisted spermatozoal quantification method to nigrosin-eosin staining for the quantification of canine membrane-intact spermatozoa. Presentation and abstract. June, XXI Congress of the European Veterinary Society For Small Animal Reproduction 2018, Venice. Italy

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) Cycle monitoring in bitches and semen collection and evaluation in dogs. Invited speaker. November, Australian Veterinary Association Conference, Hobart, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) Caesarean section. Invited speaker. November, Australian Veterinary Association Conference, Hobart, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) Desexing-a new technique for haemostasis and current controversies. Invited speaker. November, Australian Veterinary Association Conference, Hobart, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) The use of bipolar clamps for neutering in small animal practice. Presentation and abstract. August, Society for Theriogenology Conference, Fort Collins, USA

  • Watts, J.R. & Jennings, K. (2017) Hypertrophic osteopathy in a castrated dog with prostatic carcinoma and prostatitis. Presentation and abstract. August, Society for Theriogenology Conference, Fort Collins, USA

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) Development of a computer-assisted method of fluorescent counting of spermatozoa and comparison with manual counting. Invited speaker. July, Biotechnology strengthen on biomedical science and veterinary medicine, Faculty Of Veterinary Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) The use of bipolar clamps for neutering in dogs and cats. Invited speaker. April, Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Surfers Paradise, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) Predicting whelping dates when ovulation timing was not performed. Invited speaker. April, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, Sydney, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) Vaginal prolapse – why does it happen and how best to treat. Invited speaker. April, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, Sydney, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2017) Case studies in canine reproduction. Invited speaker. April, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, Sydney, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2016) Preparation for breeding in bitches. Invited speaker. July, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, Gold Coast, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2016) Determining the time of ovulation in bitches. Invited speaker. July, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, Gold Coast, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2016) Semen collection and evaluation in dogs. Invited speaker. July, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, Gold Coast, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2016) Methods of insemination in bitches. Invited speaker. July, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians Conference, Gold Coast, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2016) Canine breeding management. Webinar. April, Australian Reproduction Veterinarians, Australia

  •  Watts, J.R. (2015) Core techniques used in canine reproduction and current issues surrounding desexing. Invited speaker. October, South Gippsland Branch, Australian Veterinary Association, Leongatha, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (2013) Reproductive diagnostic techniques in the bitch –Endometrial cytology and uterine microbiology. Presentation and abstract. Proceedings of Science Week, Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Surfers Paradise, Australia

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J., Lee, C.-S. & Moore, P.F. (1997) Immunohistochemical identification of endometrial leucocyte populations of normal bitches throughout the reproductive cycle. Presentation and abstract. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, Canberra, Australia

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J., & Lee, C.-S. (1997) Endometrial leucocyte populations of normal bitches throughout the reproductive cycle. Presentation and abstract. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, Canberra, Australia

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J. Davidson, A.F. & Parry, B.W. (1997) Sodium cloprostenol administered in a continuous low dose can induce luteolysis and induced polydipsia in early dioestrous bitches. Presentation and abstract. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, Canberra, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. & Wright, P.J. (1997) Calcium cloprostenol administered in a continuous low dose induced luteolysis and abortion in bitches. Presentation and abstract. Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, Canberra, Australia

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J., Lee, C.-S. & Whithear, K.G. (1996) New techniques using transcervical uterine cannulation for the diagnosis of uterine disorders in the bitch. Presentation and abstract. Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Reproduction of Dogs, Cats and Exotic Carnivores in September, The Netherlands

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J., Lee, C.-S. & Whithear, K.G. (1996) The use of transcervical uterine cannulation for the diagnosis of uterine disorders in the bitch. Abstract. Proceedings of the 13th International Congress on Animal Reproduction— Reproduction in Dogs and Other Carnivores, Sydney, Australia

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J., Lee, C.-S. & Whithear, K.G. Transcervical uterine cannulation for the investigation of uterine disorders in the bitch. Invited speaker. Swedish Society for Small Animal Reproduction. 28/9/96, Uppsala, Sweden

  • Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J. & Lee, C.-S. (1996) Diagnosis and treatment of infertility in the bitch— Progress, problems and perspectives. Invited speaker and scientific paper. In: Proceedings of the satellite meeting of the 13th International Congress on Animal Reproduction— Reproduction in Dogs and Other Carnivores, Sydney, Australia

  • Watts, J.R. (1996) Endometritis in the bitch. Invited speaker. Workshop on Endometritis at the 13th International Congress on Animal Reproduction

  •   Watts, J.R., Wright, P.J., Whithear, K.G. & Lee, C.-S. (1995) The development and application of trans-cervical cannulation of the uterus for cytology and microbiology in the bitch. Presentation and abstract. In: Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology, Melbourne, Australia

Book sections

  • Wright, P.J. & Watts, J.R. (1998). Infertility in the bitch. In: Manual of Small Animal Reproduction and Neonatology. British Small Animal Veterinary Association