Puppy in heat......

**Mom23boys** · 07-09-2005, 11:24 AM

I have never had to go through this before. Usually when we get a puppy we have it spayed. (We have only had females for some reason). Anyway, I planned on getting her spayed, but never got around to it. Now I noticed she is bleeding. She stays indoors except for when she has to go potty of course. Last night I kept her in her crate. She usually has the run of the house and is never in her crate unless we run to town for something. I thought she would cry all night, but she didn't. Thank goodness. I just didn't want to clean up blood spots all day. A friend gave me a diaper to put on her while she is running around the house. I cut a hole out for her tail. I will make sure to take her at a regular intervals to go potty so she doesn't get confused.

What else can I do until I can get her spayed? She is a miniature daschund. I don't plan on breeding her.

What else should I watch for?

**homesteadmamma** · 07-09-2005, 11:28 AM

Keep a watch on her at all times when she is outside. Don't let her out of your site at any time.

**bevjean** · 07-09-2005, 12:24 PM

Pet supply stores sell really weird "feminine products" for dogs. They make your dog look really goofy, but you don't have to worry about cleaning up the spots. I've seen puppy panties that are kinda plain to pink ruffles.

**Mom23boys** · 07-09-2005, 01:12 PM

I heard that they shouldn't have a litter the first time they are in heat. Is this true?

I don't want any puppies anyway. Just don't want something else to worry about just in case.

**forestdale** · 07-09-2005, 03:06 PM

Michelle, I had the same problem with my Airedale Terrier, Alice. I was going to get her spayed but all of a sudden she started bleeding. I think she was around 6 months old. When we took her to the vet he said he would do it the following week. We had to wait until she stopped bleeding.

Basically, the vet told us that although it's better to spay a dog before she starts bleeding, they can do it anytime after that. The reason they like to do it before hand is that it cuts the risk of reproductive system cancer down dramatically. It's still low if you get it done after she's been on heat once but it's increased slightly to if she's been done without being on heat. I hope that made sense.

My only advice is to be gentle and quiet around her - she's got her first period and we all know how scary that is. Make sure she doesn't get out alone and make sure you watch for other dogs getting in. Male dogs will be able to smell her, even from a distance, and they may come into your yard looking for her. That happened with Alice - luckily DH was letting her run around the yard at the time and he got rid of the strange dog straight away.

Good luck, Michelle. It's a difficult time. Let us know what happens.

**Mom23boys** · 07-09-2005, 07:16 PM

Thanks Rhonda for explaining that into detail. She looks so cute wearing her doggie diaper. She isn't active like she normally is, just lays around. I am going to call the vet Monday and see if I can't get her in after the bleeding stops.

**dhmunoz** · 07-11-2005, 12:43 PM

Awww.....I am getting a female miniature dachshund in 2 weeks. I had been wondering when they first go in heat--I guess this answers my question!

We already have a male mini dachshund...his name is Shorty and he is 5 months old. He's getting an arranged marriage, LOL. DH and I have decided to let them have a couple litters before getting them fixed

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 07-16-2005, 12:47 AM

Don't let her out in the yard alone, even if it's fenced! Male dogs are very, very persistant when it comes to girls. They can climb six foot fences, tunnel under, rip doors apart, etc.

Get her spayed as soon as her season is over. BTW, the time she is MOST likely to be fertile is when her bleeding drops way off. She is most receptive to males them. Be VERY careful!

Dhmunoz, why are you having litters? Has Shorty had any genetic tests run? Doxies are very prone to slipped discs as well as many other health issues. Don't forget that many breeds need to have C-sections to even HAVE pups. A canine C-section runs about $1000.00 these days and there is still no guarantee the mother will make it. I am not trying to scare you, just letting you know that complications CAN arise and it can be very, very expensive to have a litter.

BTW, if your bitch (yes, that IS the proper term) finishes her season without being bred and seems to be lethargic and has a foul odor coming from her, get her to a vet PRONTO. She might have gone through a false pregnancy (which happens, no big deal) and come down with pyometra (can be FATAL). This is an infection of the uterus and needs to be addresses immediately.