seasons

donna32 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject: seasons

Hello

wanted some advice re seasons. I got Bella last saturday, and she started spotting blood the following day. She is definately in season but wondered how long it lasts and should I take the first day I saw the spotting as the day the season started and how long is she fertile etc. Her loss was very bright to start with and is now a dull brown colour. Any advice would be great, many thanks Smile

Donna and Bella

_Sam_ · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

how old is she and do you know if there was any spotting before you got her? sure someone will be along soon with a good answer for you

Diana · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject:

presuming she is a rescue or a lodger dog Wink

The seaosn last between 21 and 28 days varying from bitch to bitch. She will spot blood for around 10 - 12 days, this will then go watery and browny and then vanish usually. This is her fertile period so usually between days 11 - 17 is red alert time for *most* bitches. Some ovulate earlier, some later. So as a general guide do not walk her publically between days 8 and 20 to be on the safe side. Sounds daunting? Its not as daunting as the attention she will attract if you do Wink

They ovulate for around 3 days normally in that hot period but are extremely attractive for a good 2 - 3 days leading up to it and after it....

Di

donna32 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject:

Many thanks Smile

she is a rescue , 2years old and I have no idea if she was spotting prior to getting her but the first thing I noticed about her was how swollen her vulva and nipples were- (is this usually pre season???)

Can you advise me further on the walking out as I have been should I not??? also we might be camping next weekend with her?? Any thoughts?

AngelaC · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject:

I haven't had an in-season bitch for many years so there are plenty of more knowledgeable people here, but I would think camping with her next weekend would definitely be out.

Not sure if you mean you got her this Saturday just gone (12th) or the previous one, but I definitely wouldn't take a bitch in season on a camping trip. Not only do you run the risk of her attracting any males staying on the same camp and local dogs, but it's not the most secure of places to contain a dog either.

I would cancel the trip if it were me (the reason we've not booked a holiday this year is my rescue pup would likely come into season for the date we planned!) but if you really can't, can you speak to the rescue? I don't know if she came from a foster home or kennels but maybe if it were a foster home she could go back to them for a few days?

Diana · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject:

As angela says above, camping will definately be out next weekend. without a shadow of a doubt. she will have attention swarming from all angles and its going to fall roughly into her fertile period so you cannot take any chances.

The joys of an unspayed bitch (there ARE no joys as regards the seasons side of things!)

As regards walking, if its possible to walk in quiet places with very few dogs about, then up to about day 8/9 of her season *should* be ok (however bear in mind some bitches ovulate and become fertile as early as day 6 or 7 so you are taking a chance still) but after this period it would be grossly irresponsible and grossly unfair on any dogs you may meet.

She can then resume walks around day 20 or so, but test the water gently, many bitches are still fertile around the 18/19 period of time so if you meet a dog and he goes loopy, go straight home, do not pass go, do not collect £200 Wink

After all a bitch in season in the wild would be humped and mated almost throughout her season by force. Dogs cannot however well behaved mask their feelings on an in season bitch and even if you walk her 'out of hours' chances are her pools of wee will send every following male for the next 24 hours loopy and deaf to their owners.

So please keep her home days 8 - 20 to be fair to everyone. Its not only to escape the chance of her getting pregant (and one drop of semen can do this, the dogs do not have to tie, it can happen in literally 5 seconds flat) its to keep everyone from yelling and shouting at each other and spoiling everyone elses walks Wink

Di