Female in heat but no vulva swelling?

[jrouse17]

Hi, first post here. Would like to say hi to all.

I am hoping i can get some advise or guidance about this issue. I have a 4 yr old female Pug that has previously had normal heat cycles. This time though she is showing all of the normal signs of heat, (bleeding, very interested in her man, teasing, standing, flagging, and the male that i was planning on breeding her to is mounting and very interested in her too). THe only thing is that her vulva is not swelled. Has anyone had experience with this or know anyone that has had experience with this? Thanks. JoAnn

[Country-Side Br]

Sorry, I can't say that I've experienced it, but if the stud is intersted in her, then she's ready to be bred. I don't see any reason to not allow them to breed. What day of her cycle is this?

[jrouse17]

She is about 10 or 11 days since i noticed blood. I am allowing them to breed but the stud doesnt really have a target if you know what i mean. He hasnt been able to hit the bullseye yet. Her vulva is tiny. I am just wondering if i should AI or if i would be wasting my time. I am going to take her to the vet Monday and see what he says. Maybe he can do a smear and tell me something. Thanks for your reply.

[Country-Side Br]

You may need to do an AI. Have you done them before?! I can't tell you if you'd be wasting your time with doing one or not because I don't know the reason you'd like to breed her. Another option to the AI is that if the stud lets you without getting distracted, you can help to lead him in. Some studs don't like anyone touching them and will lose interest though. If she's flagging hime and he's intersted in her, then she' ready and fertile. You shouldn't need to do a smear if you're getting those signs. She's not going to let him near her if she's not. Let us know when you take her to the vet. Monday. Good luck!

[jrouse17]

HI, yes i have done AI's. Prefer the natural way but i will do them if i have too. I have been raising Pugs for 12 years and i have never come across this problem. I will post what the vet says. Thanks!

[Country-Side Br]

OH YEAH!!! I definately prefer the natural way as well! But, that's all part of the job, isn't it?

[jrouse17]

You know i guess i have always been lucky because i didnt have to learn how to AI until just a couple of years ago. All the studs that i have had up until that point were all natural breeders. Boy, i miss those days. Thanks, JoAnn

[Country-Side Br]

I had to learn because I have a dominant female that thinks she can pick and choose who she should breed with. Too bad for her, it doesn't happen that way...so in comes the AI into play. The first time she looked so disgusted with me...you'd think she'd have learned, but she didn't!

[jrouse17]

LOL, she shouldn't be so picky. I had a female that didnt like a paticular male that i wanted to breed her too. I would put them together and she would sit down on him, snap and growl at him. I thought she just wasnt ready yet, but i thought she had to be becasue it was time for her to be ready. So i put another male with her and she just flirted and teased and flagged him. I ended up just holding her and got her bred with the other male but she didnt like it. I would imagine it would be hard for you to hold your dogs. They are so big. You have some beautiful dogs by the way. I visited your website and enjoyed it very much.

I had to learn to AI becasue i got a male that i couldnt get a tie out of. He was getting in there and everything but as soon as she would pull away from him he would come right out. His bulb was swelling but he still was coming out. And it wasnt just with one female and it was with females that i have bred successfully before with another male. Now, if i could hold them together long enough i could get him to tie briefly but one good tug from her and he came right out. I still havent figure that one out.

[Country-Side Br]

You have some beautiful dogs by the way. I visited your website and enjoyed it very much.

Thank you! I try to show the love and pride I have in my dogs through the website.

So i put another male with her and she just flirted and teased and flagged him. I ended up just holding her and got her bred with the other male but she didnt like it.

The one that I have will tease and flirt until the cows come home with Hunter...he's neutered!

His bulb was swelling but he still was coming out.

Maybe he's just not swelling hard enough to let it get big enough to stay in there?