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In season!?

Posted: 17 May 2018, 16:05
by mikegoodson1
Hi all

Just a quick question/request for advice - Sasha is coming up to 8 months old now (how time flies) and she has not come into season yet - which isn't a drama in itself but she appears very swollen at the back (sorry for not knowing the correct terminology). She seems to be cleaning herself much more than usual, Oscar is sniffing her more (he is neutered) but there are no signs of spottings etc around the house/on her bed/our bed. Her mood has not changed and her appetite/drinking is normal.

I took them out this morning for a walk and kept her very close to me (although not on the lead but lead was in hand just in case) and other dogs played around her but nothing out of the ordinary. *I feel like a nervous Father whose daughter has started 'going out'.

Is this the 'start' of her coming into season or just a false dawn? I have not had a female dog since I was VERY young so I am not sure if this happens often (swelling and constant cleaning) or is the precurser....

Thanks in advance

Re: In season!?

Posted: 17 May 2018, 17:03
by Schnauzer Sam
Hi Mike,

I was in a similar position with Rosie!

She too started off with a very swollen vulva before she started to spot a little. She was very determined about keeping herself clean but we did find some blood on her bedding when we took it off to wash. Have a look at the link below. You'll see Sasha's in stage 1 of 4 of the heat cycle and coming into her most receptive period. You may wish to walk her at a quieter time.

http://www.askabreeder.com/Dog_Heat_Signs_and_Symptoms

Re: In season!?

Posted: 17 May 2018, 17:51
by mikegoodson1
Thanks so much for that link - perfect - we must be in stage one. I just used a clean tissue to wipe her swollen area and sure enough, there was discharge so from now on, it's walking on a lead when not in our garden (which is totally secure).

Re: In season!?

Posted: 18 May 2018, 07:17
by Robin black mini
I've always used the tissue test,if there is red or even pink staining call that day one.
I use a wall calendar in kitchen,mark with a yellow highlight pen the next 22 days,from day one ..
Red underline the second week...most fertile ,at risk,time.
This gives you a guide,but is not set in stone...dogs are all different re their cycles..my breeder had a girl mate at day 21 and went on to have a litter..unusual,but you get the gist.
I would walk the dog onlead,be prepared to pick her up if males approach and avoid areas where you know there will be off lead dogs.
My girls never went off food or changed significantly during a cycle...but I did see a pleasing change in their manner after,in that they seemed more steady and grown up..subtle at first but you realise the tiny pup is changing into a more serious ,settled dog.

Re: In season!?

Posted: 18 May 2018, 09:30
by mikegoodson1
Thanks Jo. Just one more question.

How long does the season last for? The 22 days or so from our first discovery (yesterday)? And then she can go out off-lead?

I just want to make sure I don't make a mistake and we end up with an even bigger one! And then from memory it's 3 months from the last day that we can have her spayed (if we don't intend for her to have another season)?

Re: In season!?

Posted: 18 May 2018, 10:37
by schnauzer
Mike my Suzi was spayed 3 months after her 1st season she took it all in her stride, was fine 24 hrs later, didn't need the lampshade as she didn't bother with stitches ( I didn't know about babygros in those days)

Re: In season!?

Posted: 18 May 2018, 12:26
by Robin black mini
mikegoodson1 wrote: 18 May 2018, 09:30 Thanks Jo. Just one more question.

How long does the season last for? The 22 days or so from our first discovery (yesterday)? And then she can go out off-lead?

I just want to make sure I don't make a mistake and we end up with an even bigger one! And then from memory it's 3 months from the last dayice her cycle is normal ,i.e. First five days or so that we can have her spayed (if we don't intend for her to have another season)?
Generally season will last 22 days..
As you monitor her you will see red discharge for about 5 days,then it pales out..note..this is her most at risk time ( around day 7 to 16 ovulation will occur,then the last week ,things will start calming down.(general description..all differ)
....in robins case I walked them both together,on leads every day and my boy was not interested at all,after day 17 ,but I didn't leave them alone together( he's entire) until 22 days had past..
You will notice your neutered boy may give you some insight..see if he is sniffing her or her wees a lot more around the times I mentioned..just as a guide for you..you may want to keep them separate at night if your boy does try mating her,but as he's neutered he may show zero interest..they are all different..
We spayed three months after..ovarectomy( just ovaries removed) went really well...she will be four this dec and has been in good wire coat,no health issues,just have to watch her weight as she is greedy.
Don't worry too much,the seasons are no big issue. just be sure to monitor your girl ,even in the garden ,as she may not be able to get out,but outside the fencing,males can climb wire fencing and also can mate through link wire LOL
Ps..I chuckled at your description of it being like having a teenage daughter out on a date for the first time..bless!

Re: In season!?

Posted: 18 May 2018, 12:29
by mikegoodson1
Jo and Christine, thank you both so much, I really appreciate it :) ^:)^