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Author
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Topic: DOG IN HEAT
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tammy18333
Junior Member
Member # 677
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posted February 17, 2004 11:53 AM
Hello all I'am new here I hope someone can help me out.
we just adopted a 10 month old yellow lab,the previous owner did not have her spayed,well guess what she just went into heat a few days after we got her. I have never been thru this our old dog never went thru a cycle.
How long will the bleeding last? I have to keep her in her crate because she chewed off her doggie panties. and when will it be safe to take her to get spayed? our vet said in about a month.
I'm not going thru this again I feel so bad for her. Thank you for all your help I'm sure I will be posting alot more questions as it has been a long time since we have had a younger dog. Our 13yr old cocker spaneil was our only dog for all those years and we had to have her put to sleep a few weeks ago =( so this is all new to us.
thank you again .
Posts: 2 | From: Pa | Registered: Feb 2004
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BreeZy/sheltiepups
Member
Member # 297
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posted February 17, 2004 12:16 PM
Hi, sorry to hear about your dog ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
The average heat cycle for a dog is approximately 3 weeks and since this an an average, some heats are shorter (as little as 7-10 days), others are longer (4 weeks or more).
Average times between heat periods is seven months but some dogs can cycle as early as every 4 months, some once a year.
Lengths of heat cycles and intervals between cycles are different for each dog but most dogs hit somewhere close to the averages.
The first part of heat you will notice bleeding from the vulva, swelling of the vulva, possible increase in urination and the most noticeable, male dogs hanging around the house. During this period (proestrus), females will not allow the males to breed with them although the males will be very persistent.
The second part or estrus is the time in which the female will allow the male to breed her and this can last anywhere from 4-21 days. A female, most of the time, will allow most any male to breed during this time. As the female starts to go out of heat or enter diestrus, she will be less willing to breed.
Again this stage can last 4-14 days but averages approximately 7 days. The next cycle usually begins about 7 months from the start of the last heat cycle, not the end of that cycle but again this varies from dog to dog. The interval stays the same even if she becomes pregnant.
If you do not intend to breed her, you really should consider spaying her. There are many health benefits associated with spaying such as decreased chance of mammary tumors and you will not have to worry about pyometra, metritis or unwanted litters (overpopulation is a big problem - just take a trip to a humane shelter).
If you elect to spay her, this can be done during heat but it may be best to wait until the heat cycle is over to decrease the chance of complications.
Intact female dogs will normally come into heat (estrus) once every 4 ý to 12 months with the average for most breeds being once every 6 months. You will probably notice some bloody discharge from the vagina and a swollen vulva when your dog is in heat. You may notice "mounting" behavior, also.
The heat period can last from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will be willing to stand for a male dog and permit breeding around 10 to 16 days after the beginning of their heat period. Some females will be a little more aggressive during their heat period, but most show no change in behavior and interaction with their owners.
Having puppies is great if you want the puppies or if you're trying to develop a special line of dogs. But there is no behavioral benefit in letting the female have a litter before spaying.
The normal canine companion will benefit greatly from being spayed at an early age before she has her first heat cycle. Problems that can develop later in life, such as mammary cancer and uterine infections, are virtually eliminated if an ovariohysterectomy (spay) is performed before she experiences her first heat cycle.
I would trust what my vet says. If u don't trust the vet get a new one!!
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this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose
Posts: 147 | From: PA | Registered: Oct 2003
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tammy18333
Junior Member
Member # 677
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posted February 17, 2004 12:44 PM
Thank you for all your info it was very helpful We are going to get her spayed. We were going to do it the same week we got her but then she started bleeding and the vet said to wait till she was done with her cycle,but we are definately going to do it dont want her or I to have to go thru this again. ![[Blushing]](graemlins/blush.gif)
Posts: 2 | From: Pa | Registered: Feb 2004
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ellierat
Member
Member # 612
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posted February 17, 2004 01:36 PM
Hi Tammy,
the reason the vet is making you wait till she stops bleeding is beacause if they do it now it can cause extra bleeding in the op.
Be sure to keep her away from any other dogs (males) as she can still mate and have pups, as every dogs cycle is different.
Sorry for your recent loss, and I'm sure your new lab will be glad of a home, I have 4 labs, and one in particular is my house buddy, goes everywhere I go, even in the car!!! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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