I had an appointment to get her fixed a few months ago but we decided to wait until after her first heat. It has been a lot of years since I've had a pet to go into heat, simply because I've always gotten them fixed right away. Last night I noticed Gracie was leaving a trail, so I put undies on her. I realized I have no clue how long she will be messy! I feel a bit stupid asking but really dont have a clue.
Gracie's in heat
- Thread starter Becca_
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Let’s start with the canine heat cycle. The canine heat or estrous cycle varies in length. Many people know that their dog goes into "heat" but don’t realize that unlike the human menstrual cycle, which is a non-fertile stage, dogs that are in heat are preparing to ovulate. There are four stages of the estrous cycle. The first stage is proestrus, which is characterized by increased follicular activity of the ovary, a stage that is necessary prior to the release of the eggs. Outward signs include vulvar swelling and bleeding. During this time, your dog will be attractive to males but not receptive to them. In general, this stage lasts six to 11 days with an average of nine days. The end of this cycle is noted when your pet becomes receptive to the male and will stand to be bred.
The second phase is the actual fertile phase or estrus. During this time, the discharge becomes more straw-colored to light pink and the vulva, although still swollen, is softer. The female is now receptive to males and will stand for breeding. This stage generally lasts five to nine days. Unfortunately, it can last as long as 20 days and still be normal. Each dog is different and must be monitored closely. The end of this stage is characterized by the female no longer accepting the male.
The last two stages of the estrous cycle are diestrus, a non-receptive time when the corpora lutea, which produce progesterone, are active on the ovary and anestrus. During anestrus there is no ovarian activity. Diestrus and anestrus are lengthy periods: diestrus lasts 56 to 60 days and anestrus is variable, but several months long. Most dogs cycle twice a year.
The second phase is the actual fertile phase or estrus. During this time, the discharge becomes more straw-colored to light pink and the vulva, although still swollen, is softer. The female is now receptive to males and will stand for breeding. This stage generally lasts five to nine days. Unfortunately, it can last as long as 20 days and still be normal. Each dog is different and must be monitored closely. The end of this stage is characterized by the female no longer accepting the male.
The last two stages of the estrous cycle are diestrus, a non-receptive time when the corpora lutea, which produce progesterone, are active on the ovary and anestrus. During anestrus there is no ovarian activity. Diestrus and anestrus are lengthy periods: diestrus lasts 56 to 60 days and anestrus is variable, but several months long. Most dogs cycle twice a year.
Ok. Thank you. And thank you for telling me I should wait to get her fixed! I was going to make the appointment!! I have noticed as much of a mess today as last night. She is swollen.
Ok, Kokomo is 6 months old I think, and frisky. My daughter is planning on moving in any day now and he's not been taken care of yet. I have been hounding her to make his appointment. This is going to create a big problem. I keep telling her we are not going to make any pugglychows! Since yesterday is the first time I've noticed any mess this means she's just started the cycle, is this correct? So I really need to keep Kokomo away from her for at least 2 weeks?
Ok, Kokomo is 6 months old I think, and frisky. My daughter is planning on moving in any day now and he's not been taken care of yet. I have been hounding her to make his appointment. This is going to create a big problem. I keep telling her we are not going to make any pugglychows! Since yesterday is the first time I've noticed any mess this means she's just started the cycle, is this correct? So I really need to keep Kokomo away from her for at least 2 weeks?
Yeah your vet might still do the SX but might charge an "In Heat fee" plus it can be more tramatic for the dog. Baby, my 9 lbd chi- she was only about 7lbs at the time, just finished her heat and the did the SX. B/c she was still so swollen they had a difficult time tying off, basically this means more trauma and more stiches. She would eat for a wk and I had to give her small anounts of water from a suringe. It was horrible. I would never do that again!!!! I have a great vet, but her really should have told us about that and given us a choice. See she was a rescue and we had cancel her 1st spay appointment b/c suprise she went into heat, so we got an appointment as soon as she was done. After that and working at a vet, I would do it b4 she is even close to the 1st heat cycle or a few months after if it occurs b4 you get a chance to have the SX. Sorry but it was just so upset me and terrified her, btwn that and getting thrown into a shelter and then a new home... I just felt so horrible.
Oh boy, that is a big problem. I so hope you can keep than apart or you will have an even bigger problem!
Oh boy, that is a big problem. I so hope you can keep than apart or you will have an even bigger problem!
Funny you say that Mikey. Right now she is wearing mens underwear which are on backwards so her tail can come out thru the fly. I was looking at her thinking she needs pullups. My daughter said I need a size 6 diaper.
Had I known Kokomo was going to move in with us a few months ago I still would have waited on getting Gracie fixed but I would have paid to get him done. I'm going to stall the move as long as I can. Her time is up at the apartment in a week or two. This is one time I wished I would have crate trained Gracie. The mess doesnt bother me, I've got that under control, its the timing of her heat and Kokomo moving in here.
Had I known Kokomo was going to move in with us a few months ago I still would have waited on getting Gracie fixed but I would have paid to get him done. I'm going to stall the move as long as I can. Her time is up at the apartment in a week or two. This is one time I wished I would have crate trained Gracie. The mess doesnt bother me, I've got that under control, its the timing of her heat and Kokomo moving in here.
I think I'll just call for her tomorrow to see how soon he can be fit in. I just bought some pull ups for Gracie. Had to cut a little hole for her tail but at least now I'm not going thru so many undies! She has cute little dinasours on her bottom now. If Kokomo isnt fixed before he moves in I think I'll stick him in pull ups or buy him a one peice bodysuit so he cant get out. 
Oh, I wish I could keep the diapers on. Kona has been bleeding up a storm and I think it should almost be done. I tried boys underwear with my pads, diapers, etc. Kona thinks anything I put on her is a new toy to take off and destroy!!!!!! I have plastic liners on couch with sheet I can wash. I have never and will never again go through having a female in heat. What a mess. Kona is 11 months old and 95 lbs. so it's not easy telling her to keep her diaper on. Max is neutered and wants to hump her but can't figure out what's wrong so he's nuts too! I wish you luck as we both get through this heat and horrible female PMS!