Dogs In Heat

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Dogs In Heat

     Having grown up in a house full of dog lovers and breeding beagles I have learned a few things about dogs in heat that I would like to pass on.  So if your dogs in heat, this is where to get some answers.  Love your dog!

World Society for the Protection of Animals 

World Society for the Protection of Animals

What Is Heat? 

How To Know When Your Dogs In Heat

Estrus ("heat") is the mating period of female animals. When estrus occurs, animals are said to be "in heat" or "in season." Dogs generally have their first estrous cycle at 6-12 months of age. Large breeds may not have their first estrus until they are 12-24 months of age.
Female dogs in heat are somewhat similar to a human female in menstruation. During the "heat" cycle, the dog may became pregnant.

The estrous cycle:

1. Proestrus: Starts with the appearance of vaginal bleeding. It normally lasts from 4 to 9 days. Increased swelling of the vulva and possibly an increase in urination. Male dogs become very persistent, but she will not yet mate with them.

2. Estrus: The female will accept the male and conception can occur. The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. Usually, the stage lasts for 4 to 13 days. Your female will allow any male dog to breed with her at this time.

Metestrus and anestrus: Periods of ovarian activity, but with no symptoms. False pregnancies can occur during metestrus.

Symptoms

The dog will bleed from the vagina and may have swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Small dogs will of course have less bleeding and may be harder to spot.

Can a dog get pregnant in her first heat? 

Dogs in heat -First Time Pregnancy?

YES! First heat can vary greatly dog to dog. The youngest is about six months of age though sometimes a female will come into season younger. First heat can start as late as 12 or even 14 months of age or later in rare cases. Although it is not advisable to breed dogs until they are about 2 years old.

How Long Does Heat Last? 

If your dogs in heat, how long will it last?

The heat period varies from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will allow breeding around 10 to 16 days after start of the cycle.
You should consider your pet to be "in heat" for 21 days: 7 days coming into heat, 7 days in heat, 7 days going out. Though conception is most likely during the middle 7 days. If you want to ensure that your dog will not become pregnant, you should keep her confined for the entire 3 week period. Again, not all dogs follow with the norm. Watch your female and record her cycle. It will usually stay the same throughout her lifetime.

Spaying 

Dogs in heat, spaying

If you have no intentions on breeding your female, then it is best to get her spayed. The are no benefits on waiting and it is recommended that you get her spayed before her first heat cycle. Mainly for health reasons. Decreased chance of having mammary tumors. No chance of getting pyometra and metritis. And of course, the best reason is to stop unwanted litters. Overpopulation is is a large problem throughout the United States.

Neutering 

Dogs in heat, nuetering

A male dog who has had both testicles surgically removed, and is not capable of producing offspring. Also known as castration.

Neutered dogs are much happier when their hormones are not raging.

Neutered males will show a decrease in the desire to mark territory. This includes inside the house.
They are less aggressive without the raging testosterone.
A dog who has been neutered young is much calmer. He no longer roams the streets in search of a female, reducing risk of being hit by a car, getting in fights with other males, getting lost or taken.

Overall, a neutered dog is a much happier dog, as well as their owners.

Common Questions 

10 Common Questions Most Asked

1. At what age do female dogs first go into heat?

As early as six months of age. Most dogs are sexually mature by one year of age, but some dogs may not reach sexual maturity until 18 months of age.

2. How many times a year do female dogs go into heat?

This varies from dog to dog, but typically female dogs go into heat one to four times per year.

3. During what times of the year can a female dog get pregnant?

The heat cycles of most dogs are not affected by the season. So, dogs can potentially become pregnant at any time of the year.

4. What is the gestation period for a pregnant dog?

58 to 68 days. 65 days is average.

5. Can dogs become pregnant while they are nursing puppies?

Unlike cats, dogs are very unlikely to become pregnant while they are nursing. However, they can go into heat and become pregnant as early as three months after giving birth.

6. At what age do unspayed female dogs stop giving birth to puppies?

Fertility gradually declines over time, there is no particular age after which a female dog can no longer become pregnant.

7. Can dogs from the same litter mate and produce litters?

Yes!

8. If my dog is pregnant, can she be spayed?

Yes. The surgery, however, can be slightly more difficult in a pregnant dog. This is one reason why it is so important to have your dog spayed before her first heat.

9. Can dogs be spayed/neutered if they've been sick?

Yes, but it is a good idea to wait a little while.

10. Should I allow my female dog to have one litter before spaying her?

No. There is absolutely no benefit to the dog in doing this. I

 

World Society for the Protection of Animals

Reader Feedback 

Ask me a question or leave a comment. I'll try and get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!

Lensmaster

waylon wrote

is it good idea to bring a dog in heat to a campground?

Reply Posted June 23, 2009

AbbasAbedi wrote...

Excellent Lens. 5*

If you get a chance check out my Instant Stress Management lens.

ReplyPosted June 07, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to laura Usually the female will allow mounting around 10 days or so after her cycle starts. Keep them together and all should be fine.

ReplyPosted May 29, 2009

Lensmaster

laura wrote

I have a beautiful boxer who stated having a bloody discharge 9 days ago and is still bleeding. It lightened up in color for 1 day , but seems to always be red in color never straw. She is very swollen and the entire time has had a steady flow of a dripping bloody discharge. The stud sniffs her and trys to mount only for a minute and then walks away. Have we missed our window or should we keep putting the male and female together?

Reply Posted May 27, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to danL You are correct. She won't let him mount her until about 10 days after cycle starts. All in fine.

ReplyPosted May 26, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to Lauren Yes , it is normal. Separate them if you feel like they will get hurt or for you peace of mind.

ReplyPosted May 26, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to rleigh Yes you can spay a dog while in heat. Cost a little more though.

ReplyPosted May 26, 2009

Lensmaster

rleigh wrote

We have puppy that we thought was younger however she just went into heat.
Can you get a dog spayed while they are in heat?

Reply Posted May 25, 2009

Lensmaster

Lauren wrote

We have two female dogs. Both are in heat right now. The Chihuahua, which is the older of the two is constantly mounting the other dog and being really aggressive with her (not biting but everything short of it). Should we separate our dogs? Wait it out? And is this normal for two female dogs to do?

Reply Posted May 25, 2009

Lensmaster

T Diggity wrote

My dog was given the contraceptive injection 1 week ago. 3 days afterwards she started bleeding. Will she go in heat even if she has had the injection. She is bleeding everywhere and very clingy and sulky. Can you suggest how I can best manage the 'bleeding' mess.

Reply Posted May 22, 2009

Lensmaster

DoEd wrote

How long it is preferable to wait after heat before spaying a dog? My girl is in heat for 19 days now and one vet says it is ok to spay now and the other says that if I spay while she is in heat or immediately after, it will cause problems and may cause excessive bleeding while at surgery. Another question - if I wait to spay her for a couple of month after heat - what are the odds for a false pregnancy? What are the odds for a false pregnancy if she is spayed while in heat? Thank you.

Reply Posted May 14, 2009

Lensmaster

danL wrote

hello, my dog has just started to have a slight discharge, correct me if i am wrong she will let the male mate with her approximately 10 days later? I have noticed that she wont let him come near her at this stage, at first i actually thought he may have been desexed but i double and triple checked whether he had two testicles and fortunately he does!!.
I guess now its just a waiting game??
thanks

Reply Posted May 12, 2009

Lensmaster

Kathy wrote

My Lhasa Apso has never been spayed and at 7 she still has the same cycle. My question is what makes her attack pillows for weeks during and after the cycle. Any pillow or puffy item, even oour Golden Retriever is not safe. We need help to stop her from doing this... Getting her spayed is not in the current budget so this will have to be a preventative solution.

Reply Posted May 12, 2009

Lensmaster

Iroleen wrote

Can't you go to your nearest kennel and ask them to look after the dog until she is over the cycle
or a freint to keep the male dog until the female is done with her cycle.

The last option work for us, after wards we arranged with the vet for down payment to heve her fixed.

Regards
Iroleen
Africa

Reply Posted May 12, 2009

Lensmaster

Iroleen wrote

Can't you go to your nearest kennel and ask them to look after the dog until she is over the cycle
or a freint to keep the male dog until the female is done with her cycle.

The last option work for us, after wards we arranged with the vet for down payment to heve her fixed.

Regards
Iroleen
Africa

Reply Posted May 12, 2009

Lensmaster

Rhonda wrote

My two year old dog is in heat, and seems to be more lazy than usual. Is she having cramps? She just doesn't look very comfortable.

Reply Posted May 11, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to Pat Kalamvocas Yes, if you get her spayed while she is pregnant this will abort the pups. However, the vet will probably charge more if she is pregnant. In your current financial situation, I would advise that you keep the dogs separated until she has finished her cycle. Then get her spayed. Check around your area to find a low cost vet. You can probably find a vet to do it for under $100.00. Good luck.

ReplyPosted April 06, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to luis No, a properly spayed female will not go into heat. To tell if she is spayed or not, first ask the previous owner, if any, or check her stomach to see if she has a surgery scar.

ReplyPosted April 06, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to alicia Yes, her first day of bleeding is considered to be the first day of her cycle.

ReplyPosted April 06, 2009

JimD wrote...

in reply to Doglover No.

ReplyPosted April 06, 2009

 
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