Heat

[Maria]

My girl started her first heat 10 month any special suggestions, anything I should do?

[Leah]

We were vigilant about keeping other male dogs away from our female BB (Mabel) when she was in heat and didn't leave her in yard unsupervised.  Males are known to jump fences to get at a female in heat.  No diapers fit her.....ugh.  She would not let any dog sniff her behind...even for a month or two after her heat was complete....very protective.  She socialized with known dogs only and wouldn't tolerate an outsider.  Those hormones take a while to dissipate.

In the house she cleaned and licked everything and was very sweet and sensitive.  We had towels and rags in every corner of the house.  

Hope that helps!

Leah

[Maria]

Hello, Thank you for response, I think we all have a slight different experience.  found some diapers that hardly fit but of coarse she does not like it much. I do not have that many towels and rags to cover all floors it may be not a bad idea only she will probably eat it and tear it apart, She likes to lay on something soft but teared all soft dogy beds I bought her.

[Amy]

Hi Maria,

Leah is right. Be extremely vigilant about males.  They are persistent buggers!  We use a pair of boxer briefs turned around so our girl's tail fits through the fly.  Of course she removes them every chance she gets.  I think that's why most people just resort to towels all over the house.  ;-)

Our girl is very sweet during her heat cycle.  She is always right next to one of us.  She has also had a false pregnancy post-heat.  Mammary glands get enlarged, she starts nesting behavior, digs at the floor, etc.  Sometimes they will "adopt" a stuffed animal.  Ours hasn't done that.  I've heard mixed opinions on whether it is a good idea to encourage that.  Some say it comforts them. Some say it will prolong the "pregnancy".  

I would also be careful, as Leah said, about any encounters with unknown dogs or people.  They do have a hormone surge, just like people, and may react in a way that is atypical for them.  

Make note of the start and finish of the cycle.  It's good information to have for health and medical purposes.

All in all, it's not usually a huge deal.  It will be over before you know it.  Good luck with your girl!

[Maria]

Thank you both!!! How long it last?

[Amy]

Daisy's cycles are a little longer than two weeks, but she usually spots for about a week or so.  If you count the entire cycle: proestrous and estrus, the cycle can last as long as say 5 weeks or as short as 7 days, but is usually around 18 days.

Here is a link to an article which explains it pretty thoroughly.

http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/eiltslotus/theriogenology-5361/the_normal...

[Maria]

Hi Amy,
Thank you for the web site. She started bleeding around 10/27-10/28 and still bleeding. I will check the site. I only take her to our fenced back yard. So no males and I dont leave her alone. Other problem the poor girl has to go outside for multiple #1 #2 and loose stools. Do you have same?

[Amy]

We haven't noticed that with Daisy, but I would think it certainly could happen.  Poor baby girl.  Hang in there.

[kate nicholson]

Hi Maria, although she started bleeding a bit ago, she will not be receptive to males for about 10-12 days after she starts bleeding.  THAT is when you have to be extra vigilant as both boys and girls can be very dtermined to get together!  Different females will bleed different amounts and may vary cycle to cycle.  Yes I have on occasion noticed a loose stool especially if it is her first heat.  Give her some canned pumpkin THand hopefully that will solve that problem!  good luck!  Kate

[Marco]

Hello Maria here are a couple more links that might be helpful to you, or for anyone else that may be going through this also.  Anytime shes outside, always stay with her.  Best of luck to you!

 

The 4 Stages of the Dog Heat Cycle

The Heat Cycle