From what I've heard, knowing when her mother began her first cycle could give you a hint.
My little lady, Zoe, is coming up 8 months and she hasn't begun her first heat cycle yet.
I know it's different for every female, but I was wondering when should I expect this to happen for her and is there anything I should know for when the time comes?
Any advice is welcome.
Thank you
From what I've heard, knowing when her mother began her first cycle could give you a hint.
Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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Hayleigh (09-07-2014)
No personal experience but this thread might help: Entering First Heat Cycle
Hayleigh (09-07-2014)
Unfortunately, we don't know much about her Mother.
and thank you for the link, I'll definitely give it a read.
Luna was 9 months, her mom and sister were 10-11 months.
You'll notice vulval swelling. It seems like it happens overnight. It's not just a little swelling, you will definitely notice a difference. The little hair at the tip of the vulva will appear wet or glisten with either discharge or blood.
She needs to be kept under house arrest for 30 days from the first sign of heat. No off leash activity anywhere, no trips to the pet store, no trips to the dog park. On a leash at all times when outside. If you have lots of male dogs around your neighborhood and some are intact, I would crate when you're not home if you don't already. Those boys will be able to smell her for miles and miles away.
Luna whimpered a lot and always wanted to be right next to our side. She's usually a little more independent and while chew a bone in another room, but not during heat. She was also much more social with DH/her human dad. Normally, I am her person, but not when she's in heat.
Hope this helps... if you have any more questions, always ask or feel free to PM me.
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Sarah, human
Luna, born 6/14/13, gotcha 8/18/13 and TDI certified 5/12/2015
Comet, born 4/3/15, gotcha 6/9/15
Double Dip, 25 y/o Draft/Welsh pony
Gracie, 17 y/o DSH cat
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Hayleigh (09-07-2014)
Not knowing the mother's history, it's a wait and keep aware.
With Mardi having had several litters, her vulva is more prominent but definitely swelled when she came in heat. Just remember, the last week of heat is the fertile time so keep her protected. Overall, we found the entire process to be not too bad. Mardi would not keep her panties on so she was confined to the easy wash kitchen floor. She was more clingy but still the sweet girl she has always been.
Hayleigh (09-07-2014)
Emma just finished having her first heat about a week ago. She was about 10 month. Most bigger dogs get in between 9-14 months. I'd say she still a little young, but know thy dog. If she seems different it might be coming into season.
The first physical thing we notice was her vuvla swell it tripled in size, I noticed it starting to swell on Sunday and by Tuesday morning is when we had our first noticeable drop of blood. She did a great job cleaning herself the blood was very minimal. But I noticed some behavioral changes before any physical ones, aka she became very clingy. It came and went, and some days she was more clingy then others.
Hayleigh (09-07-2014)
I was curious to know if there were any signs before Zoe starts to go into heat.
The last few days she has been very sooky and won't leave my side, when she usually keeps to herself most of the time.. which I thought was unusual.
We have a male lab who is about 9 yrs and would love for Zoe to be able to play outside with him.
How long are they on heat for? and how long do I wait til her heat cycle is done to let her have contact with our boy?
In my case Emma became clingy and would lick herself a lot. She went off her food for a day, but then was back to normal. (don't think that had anything to do with the heat though) If you think she might be coming into heat I would check her vuvla every day for swelling and press a white tissue against to check for discharge.
Is he intact? If not they can be together, just make sure to watch them. Since he can still tie with her just can't get her pregnant. We had a bunch of doggy play dates with females and neutered males because otherwise she would be a nightmare. She didn't like for the boys to sniff her so she would give them a correction.
The cycle last from 21-28 days on average. Emma discharged stopped around day 20ish. and her vuvla swelling came down to a little bit bigger then pre-heat at day 27ish. We stayed away from intact males for a full 4 weeks. Once her vuvla I assume she no longer smelled since no dog had interest in her.
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Sarah, human
Luna, born 6/14/13, gotcha 8/18/13 and TDI certified 5/12/2015
Comet, born 4/3/15, gotcha 6/9/15
Double Dip, 25 y/o Draft/Welsh pony
Gracie, 17 y/o DSH cat
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