My bitch is 9 months old and was licking one day her vulva looked a little bit bigger or was it? I phoned the vets they said possibly in season but nothing since and a frantically bored dog---- help!!!! Is she or not seems normal to me can I take her out?
Here is an excellent article - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/managing-your-bitch-in-season/ We are currently looking out for Mollie's season to arrive. Here is the relevant bit - "Signs your Female Labrador is Coming Into Season There are usually some clear signs when your bitch is in season, but it is not always obvious so if you think she might be approaching that time you need to keep an eye on her. Physical appearance and swelling The first thing you are likely to notice is that your female dog’s vulva (external genitalia) becomes very swollen and puffy. It may be literally three or four times it’s normal size. Bleeding Together with a bloody discharge, these symptoms tell you that your girl has come into season. As your girl move into her fertile phase, the bleeding may stop or become more watery Although you might expect the main sign to be profuse bleeding, it isn’t always obvious. In fact, sometimes all you will see are very small markings on the floor or in the dog’s bed. Increased cleaning and licking Most Labs are very good at keeping themselves clean. Which can provide another good sign that she is in season. If she is swollen and she is licking her genitals considerably more than usual, her heat has probably started. A quick test If you are not sure whether or not your Labrador is bleeding, gently wipe a piece of clean cotton wool or a white tissue over her vulva. You’ll probably see some pink staining if she is on heat, even if she is keeping herself pretty clean" ...
Charlie let me know when Betsy was in season. Very handy having an entire male around for that reason. She started bleeding 4 days after that, and was ok to be back around entire males at training again without distracting them too much (although one or two owners moaned their dogs were still distracted by her) 26 days after the start of her season.
Thanks for details but I`m still unsure - no blood when wiped with tissue, not cleaning any more in fact she doesn`t look very swollen either. Help!
I think sometimes the first season can be a bit random for them. Bramble had what appeared to be a season...with just a few spots of blood, a little swelling. We just dealt with it as if it was a season, our dogs certainly were interested, even our neutured dog. I am not sure in hind sight it actually was her season, more of precursor. Then about 3 weeks or so later, her lady bits ballooned to trumpet size and she started bleeding. So sigh...it was another 4 weeks before she was walked in areas where she might meet other dogs. I don't know if that helps at all, as Bramble is our first bitch
Thanks great help. I think maybe I`ll walk her nearby on the lead just in case, didn`t think it would be such a problem!
@Sacha012 I think they are fertile towards the end of the season so, as long as you're always nearby, I don't think you need to worry before bleeding has started. You'll step in if a dog starts mounting her. When the blood appears you will be sure. Unnecessarily restricting her exercise is a bit sad for her and makes life more difficult for you.
I didn't take Bramble out anywhere when she was in season. Just to our own fields, which granted we are very lucky to have. With some research, you might find some quiet areas away from the madding crowd. Bitches in season drive my entire boy mad, they really do. He is also aroused and excited the day after. I can always tell when people have been walking them, he has a certain look, nose up...then he's off, nothing, absolutely nothing will stop him. I just sigh, turn around and find somewhere else.
I didnt have Poppy spayed until she was five years old, and I got to know her cycle so well that we were able to walk her all the time, mostly off lead, except for the 3-4 days when she was actually fertile. But with a first-time season I wouldnt do that - to be certain I would walk your dog only on the lead during the time she is bleeding, if possible avoiding times when lots of people are out with their dogs. Be especially careful at around day 10-12 or so, when she may appear to stop bleeding - this is when she will be most fertile. After around three weeks after the start of bleeding you should be ok again - but dogs are not machines, and their reproductive cycles differ greatly.
