In Heat?

[SugarSuarez]

Sugar is nearing her 1st Birthday. (October 12th birthdayic ) My husband and I noticed that Sugar is quit swollen and is licking her self continuously! We noticed it the swelling about a week ago and the (more than usual) licking started 2 days ago. The first thing that came to mind is that she may be going into heat. But to be honest, I don't know what I should be expecting or looking for as signs that she is going into heat. Can someone please help?! And if you have any other thoughts as to what the problem might be, please send me those too!
Thank you! Priscilla (Sugar's Mama)

 

[ssleighter]

Happy Birthday Sugar!!

It sure sounds like Heat to me! Any reason why she hasn't been spayed??????

 

[JulieM]

There are many threads about what to look for when a female is coming into season, and also about silent heats, managing a bitch in season to ensure she's not bred, and things of that nature. A forum search will give you lots of information.

In a nutshell, the tell-tale sign is a discharge, but with a silent heat you may not get that. Try using a piece of white tissue to check her vulva after she comes in from pottying - that's usually the first way to see color.

Once she is in season, you need to keep her away from any and all male dogs for at least 21-28 days (maybe a little shorter or a little longer, each bitch is different). You'll also need to watch her closely for the next month or so after she comes out, as she will go through a false pregnancy (that may or may not be noticeable) and she is at risk for pyometra (a serious infection of the uterus). Again, the forums have more details on these topics.

She cannot be spayed while she is in season, and you should probably wait 3-4 months for her hormones to settle down before you do have her spayed. (You don't want to wait too long, though, or she'll be in again before you know it! )

 

[AvalancheBoxer]

Yep it sounds like she is coming in heat to me. Is there a reason why she isnt spayed? That would be your best bet, that way you wont have to worry about an accidental pregnancy, not to mention the mess of the heat cycle.

Happy Birthday Sugar!! birthdayic

 

[AvalancheBoxer]

She cannot be spayed while she is in season, and you should probably wait 3-4 months for her hormones to settle down before you do have her spayed

:confused: My vet will spay in season, there is an extra fee. :confused:

Although I have never had to spay in season, the only way I would do it is if its an adoption that comes to us in heat. I believe I read something about this being bad for the dog? I wont have to worry about that though, I think we have plenty of animals now....

 

[JulieM]

Well, OK, she *can* be spayed while she is in season, but it is much riskier and most vets will not do it unless it is an urgent situation. Blood loss is a much larger concern, for example.

 

[Boxer_21]

My aunts dog had to wait until she passed her first heat season before they would spay her. About a month before she went in, she went into heat. So my aunt had to wait until she was about a month over being in heat.
Riley and her (Nala) love to play with each other, but because she was in heat and he was still intact we had to stop their playdates. I would absolutely HATE to be responsible of an oops litter. Which is why I did not put myself in that position. Especially considering the fact that Nala herself is a mutt (cocker spaniel and golden retriever).