How to know when season is over

[ConsternationStation]

Our 11 month old cocker started her first season at the beginning of September. We literally noticed she was looking swollen on the 1st and first noticed bleeding on the 6th. Bleeding stopped about 10 days later, so about two weeks ago, but she's still swollen and musky smelling.

How will I know that she's finished her first heat fully? We said that we would visit the in-laws at the weekend and they are currently dog sitting a 7/8 month old un-neutered male but I've just realised I should double check with people who might know more than me if this will be okay.

Normally it lasts about three weeks. The danger point is after the bleeding stops - the following week they are usually very fertile. How interested was the male dog? That'll probably give you a reasonable indication. Keep an eye out for discharge and the smell - pyometra is most common in the weeks following a season and can be life threatening.

She hasn't been around any intact males yet. We aren't visiting until tomorrow which is 29 days since we first noticed her bleed.

I'm a vet nurse .
Season lasts aprox 3 weeks on average , she is at her most fertile around days 10 -14 this is the time when she is most receptive to dogs.
If her vulva is still swollen i would advise you do not let her mix with an entire male .
Once her vulva has returned to normal size and there is no blood at all you can assume season is ended.
If you are planning on spaying a good time to do it is 3months after the end of the season.
Re a pyometra it is highly unlikely for a young bitch to develop one but not unheard of.

How swollen is swollen? Nipples and vulva never go back completely to the size they were prior to the first season

@tsmainsqueeze thanks for this. We plan on having her spayed in December or January per our vets recommendation.

@HauntedHero the swelling is definitely down from what it was but obviously her nipples and vulva are still larger than before so I'm not sure if she's "back to her new normal". Zero blood for almost three weeks now.

Our previous dog was a rescue who was already spayed when we got her so I've never had a dog go through a season before.