Signs of going in heat?

**mommy4ever** · 02-08-2009, 11:33 AM

Bella had her last heat in August, so she is due anytime. I want to get her spayed, but not while in heat, it gets more complicated and more expensive.

The trainer felt she might be going into heat. Bella was off last class, and has shown some destructive behaviors. She chewed up her pillow in her kennel, (likes to pull stuffies apart to get squeakers and leave the stuffing around the house, stuffies are now banned), and I rushed out one morning, she was in the kennel, I came back and she'd chewed her sweater off. She wears it ALL the time, so it was very unusual. But after talking about it, the trainer suggested that Bella may be starting her cycle as her temp would have risen, the pillow and sweater may have been too warm. Her way of trying to cool off.

Last night we were at a friends, and their dog, kept sniffing at her, even half heartedly attempted to mount(he's fixed). She asked if Bella was going in heat. He doesn't normally sniff after her that much he just wants to race around and play.

She doesn't have any swelling or bleeding yet. So what else might indicate if she's coming into season? I don't want to book her in mid cycle.

**Patty A** · 02-09-2009, 04:33 AM

I would tell you that the best judge of coming in to "heat" is the male dogs attitude toward her. Males can smell a female coming in to season long before any outward signs show.

A few signs of "pre-heat" that you might see could include vaginal discharge which is clear. There is increased restlessness and there may be increased urination. You also may notice stray dogs hanging around your house, though the female will not accept mating at this point, it is usually a sign that the heat is starting. She may become moody, grumpy, and touchy (not wanting to be grabbed, or grabbing on to her may hurt). You may also notice some changes in her breasts, a little swollen, pink, or puffy. Not all dogs do the same, so you can never be sure, and with some you may not notice anything until she is in full heat.
Here is a great website that explains the full range of a heat cycle, it really explains it well and is easy to understand.
http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES...sheatcycle.HTM
Hope this helps!

**BangelBrown** · 02-09-2009, 06:35 AM

1) how old is she?
Some small dogs will not bleed enough for you know that she is in heat
have you noticed her licking or cleaning her vulva alot ?
I would recommend calling your RDVM. They could could give you more advice. Sometimes our pets can have have these behaviors and it's another issue causing it all together. I have been a Vet. Tech. for many years. So please give give you RDVM a call they can help alot.

**mommy4ever** · 02-09-2009, 08:48 AM

This would be her second heat, and there is enough show to require a doggie diaper during that time.

What is an RDVM?

The last heat, we had no indication until the show appeared. Then we kept a close eye on her. As a result, no visitors.

We camped through it all, and there we no visitors, not even the coyotes. When we went for walks(we didn't let the kids do it, just in case a male dog was hot and bothered), and none even looked up when we went by. I thought it was weird.

I want to bring her to be fixed, but not during her heat.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 02-09-2009, 04:22 PM

RDVM=your vet!

Mounting can also be a sign of dominance and have NOTHING to do with sexuality.

In many areas, nearly all (thankfully!) makes are neutered, so there won't be any who come around. In other neighborhoods, it seems that every animal is intact and you will have major problems all the time!

When my current bitch was intact, I could tell when it was close to her time. She got more clingy and would lean against us and give this longggg siggghhhh..., not something she did when she was NOT in season.

Good luck--get her spayed as soon as this cycle has ended. Also, keep her faaaar away from the boys! LOL

**mommy4ever** · 02-09-2009, 05:05 PM

He usually doesn't try mounting her, and he was sniffing at her back end enough to tick her off, it's normally her doing the sniffing and she had no interest..lol

I'll call the vet and see what they have to say.

**mommy4ever** · 02-18-2009, 01:51 AM

Bella is in heat, the show started, probably yesterday, I notice more personal grooming on her part and tonight I was able to see that there was a little blood. So I have to cancel her spaying. Which is good, now I know that in May we are safe to spay her, so I can book her for then.

Would have like to have it done before the baby comes home, but this is ok, because by then the baby will be settled into the home and she can rest. There's 4 kids to entertain her while Bella rests.

**Sari** · 03-06-2009, 11:27 AM

Just as an FYI, spaying during heat is usually fine. Some vets may charge a little more, but sometimes it can be difficult to schedule around them. The benefits of spaying as soon as possible are tremendous. There's a huge benefit to spaying before any heat, still a great benefit (though slightly less) to spay after first heat but before the second, and a lesser (though still significant benefit) to spaying after the second heat. Sorry if that's confusing. Anyway, for any future dogs, it is best to make the effort to getting them spayed ASAP. I hope that helps.