Is my bitch in heat?

[user1471476854]

Hi,

We adopted a dog a few months ago. Have been waiting for her to come into season so we can then get her spayed. Her last season was October 2017 with her previous owners.

About 10 days ago we noticed a few drops of pale blood on the floor. Thought great, she’s in heat. The next day, nothing. And nothing since!

Her character hasn’t changed and her vulva hasn’t swelled (although 3 days before the bleeding she was scooting lots and lots and her vulva did look a bit swollen and red, but that’s not surprising the amount of scooting she was doing). Some male dogs have tried to mount her, some haven’t which has been the case since getting her. So we just don’t know whether she’s currently in season or not and whether we can safely have her spayed in a couple of months.

So my question is has anyone else experienced a season this short?

Thanks!

I would just take her to the vet and ask them to check.

I read a fair a bit about this after GlitterDog was booked into be spayed but was licking herself a bit more than usual and I tried to walk my friend's boy dog with her couldn't because he wouldn't leave her alone. Bet checked her and she wasn't - he was just being a randy teenager and the spay went ahead fine.

Apparently they don't always swell. So if there was blood I would imagine that was it. Most bitches come in to season every 6-8 months so she would be due-overdue a season by now.

Maybe the previous owners can tell you what the signs were before?

Also you do not need to wait for her to be in season to have her neutered it is an old wives tale.

My vets said it is advisable to do it inbetween seasons as the blood flow to the reproductive organs is enhanced around season time so there is a greater risk of haemorrhage.

I rang the vets and they said it more than likely is a season and they won’t do the spay until 3 months after. I was just worried that it wasn’t a heat and doing it at the wrong time. But it does look like it is. Thanks for your help x

Oh and I did ask the previous owner but they are breeders so can’t remwber her season specifically but did say a short bleed is not unusual.

If it wasn't, then the likelihood is she would have one in the 3 months you are waiting anyway, so you'll know either way. From what I have been told it's not a complete no-no anyway, it's just more risky. The vets will keep you right anyway. Good luck.

Yes that’s what I thought. Oh well better keep her out of the woods for another couple weeks. Don’t want an unplanned litter 😊

I’m told you can get nappy type things to protect them when you’re out!