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Tip
57 - Dog in heat - signs your dog is in heat - the Estrous cycle
Once
a female dog reaches puberty it begins its regular cycles of
Estrus or heat which allow the dog to release eggs and reproduce.
Most
females have 2 cycles per year. Signs that your dog is in heat
include include vaginal discharge which
is clear, bleeding and swelling
of the vulva. There is increased restlessness and there may be
increased urination. You also may notice stray dogs hanging around
your
house, though the female will not accept mating at this point.
This early period of heat called Proestrus, lasts between
4 -15 days depending on the size and breed
of the dog along with other factors.
The
next stage in the estrous cycle is the actual Estrus/heat where
the
dog will accept a mate and can get pregnant. Unless you are a
professional dog breeder you should spay the dog before before
her first heat.
Some vets
will spay a dog during its first heat. This Estrus lasts between
4 - 8 days and signs include the discharge stopping, ovulation
(the
eggs
are
released)
and pregnancy is possible. If the dog becomes pregnant the gestation
time is 58-63 days. There are no visible signs
until the last 3 weeks of pregnancy when the teats will enlarge,
the belly will swell and finally the birth will occur.
The
3rd stage of the cycle is called Diestrus and lasts 6 - 10 weeks.
Many hormonal changes take place and the uterine walls thicken.
Dogs that haven't become pregnant go through 'false pregnancy'
where their mammary glands may enlarge and produce milk. They
may mother toys, moan or whine, prefer extra attention or extra
solitude and will show no interest in mating. The last stage
in the cycle
is Anestrus
and
will last
for 15
weeks.
There
won't
be any hormonal activity, milk production, or interest in mating.
If the dog had become pregnant the birth would have already occurred
and the mother will be lactating and engaging in typical mothering
behaviour until she is ready to wean her puppies.
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2006
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