[zoe_emma]

Mavis is doing well and settling in nicely apart from the stealing. She was a very skinny little thing when she arrived so it is to be expected.

The thing is we have got up this morning to find she has come into season. Blood spots on bedding and kitchen floor and upon examination it became evident that his was the case.

I have only ever had dogs that have been neutered before they arrived as we have always had rescues. She came from the stray kennels so this was clearly not the case!

What should we expect? Are there problems to look out for? Will she be erratic and Moody? How long will it last?
She seems a bit quiet but that's all. I am most concerned about the young lad that lives at the back of the farm and his entire rottie, I am going to warn him today cos the dog will be able to smell her won't he?

Thanks

[doganjo]

Oh yes!  He'll know, and he'll probably try to come calling.  You need to be absolutely sure your girl is NEVER left alone without being completely protected from him and any other gentleman callers  .

[Mammyshaz]

They can be hormonal and moody, fuss with food etc. It lasts 3 weeks. There are complications which can arise 5-6weeks post season. Watch for mammary development or severe mood swings and guarding which can be a sign of false pregnancy 5-6weeks post. Also infection of the uterus, signs of vomit, drinking excessively and thick vulva discharge ,sometimes bloody, are all signs ( more common in older dogs but can happen young) Again 5-6 weeks post.

There's not a lot to help with other dogs locally. Some get hormone injections to stop the season but there are health risks with this and if you don't have a male entire dog yourself it probably isn't worth it.

Spaying is recommended 12 weeks post season and once the dog is back to normal in behaviour and health.

Oh the joys of entire female dogs 

[doganjo]

I have to admit I've been lucky and rarely had any of the complications Mammyshaz mentions - I've had 19 dogs altogether (4 different breeds ) - 4 dogs the rest bitches.  So long as you are aware of what can happen, just presume it won't, as most bitches will just be slightly off colour for those three weeks; but they are often desperate to find males during the time when their hormones are at the pitch so just make sure she isn't allowed off lead in that three weeks as the most vulnerable time varies from dog to dog and breed to breed.  It's not always the middle week that they can be mated.  I've had a bitch mate on her 4th day after showing blood and another on her 21st day!

[zoe_emma]

Thanks guys, she doesn't go off lead any way yet as we have only had her a few weeks. I'm not convinced she even knows her name yet.

She seems a bit at a loss like she doesn't know what to do with herself but is otherwise eating drinking and pooing ok.

I'm keeping a close eye on her, I'm sure she'll be fine x

[shygirl]

watch out for phantom pregnancies in a couiple of months time - my gsd used to have them and use to rip up my bed sheets trying to make a nest. we spayed her in the end but then that made her leak urine sometimes.