A dog's heat is a difficult time not only for the dog itself, but also for all household members. The female dog is agitated and irritable, and her unusual behavior and symptoms associated with heat affect everyone around her. This is a period when it is worth giving her more attention and tenderness. A good time for pampering and support to make her feel calmer and less stressed.
The liquid, also known as heat, heat or chasing, is one of the stages in the female dog's reproductive cycle. It usually appears twice a year, although its frequency depends on the individual characteristics of the bitch. In the main phase of estrus, the female becomes fertile and willing to mate. It secretes sex pheromones that attract males. Typically, oestrus lasts around 21 days, although in some cases it may be a little longer. It largely depends on the health, age and size of the female. A characteristic symptom of heat is vaginal bleeding.
The appearance of the first heat in a dog is an individual matter, most often depending on the breed and the achievement of the target size. It usually appears between 6 and 12 months of age. In female dogs of small breeds, it usually occurs sooner and can be expected to occur around 5 months of age. However, in large breed female dogs, sexual maturity comes later and therefore we can expect the first heat only around 2 years of age. The issue of the frequency of heat is analogous. female dogs of small breeds go into heat up to three times a year, while dogs of large breeds go into heat only once a year. We must remember that a female dog's first heat may be different from later periods. We often deal with the so-called "silent heat", which, apart from hormonal changes, does not cause any external symptoms. In such a case, we may simply not notice that our pet is in heat. This situation applies primarily to representatives of the following breeds: beagle, cocker spaniel, American Staffordshire Terrier, Miniature Pinscher.
A dog's liquid is part of the natural oestrus cycle which is continuous and consists of four periods regulated by sex hormones.
The initial heat phase, i.e. the pre-heat phase, which usually lasts about 7 days (in rare cases from 3 to 17 days) from the start of bleeding. During this period, there are visible changes in the female - she sheds more hair, the vulva is swollen, hardened and bloodshot, and single drops of blood are released from the vagina. Her behavior also changes, she becomes less obedient, overly active, she barks and howls more often, and tends to run away during a walk. It happens that some female dogs lick their vulva intensively to prevent spotting. Usually, during this period, the appetite decreases significantly, while thirst increases and the frequency of urination increases. During the walk, spreading the scent trail, the female dog lures all males from the area, but does not allow herself to be covered, demonstrating an aggressive attitude.
The main phase of heat, i.e. the period of proper estrus, during which ovulation occurs and the uterus is ready to receive the embryo. The vaginal discharge becomes thinner and changes color, from dark red to pink and then to milky. This phase usually lasts about 9 days. The female is ready for fertilization and accepts the male's advances. If mating occurs during this period, the probability of fertilization is very high.
The postpartum period, which is responsible for maintaining pregnancy (of course, if fertilization occurs). This phase lasts about 5 days. The discharge from the vulva then becomes much darker. Progesterone and corpus lutea are produced. producing hormones that prepare the uterine lining to receive a fertilized egg. The pregnancy is progressing. If fertilization has not occurred, the bitch's behavior returns to normal (the level of hormones responsible for maintaining pregnancy remains high).
The apoestrus period, which is the stage between subsequent heat periods. This is the time to regenerate the reproductive system before the next heat. During this period, the female dog shows no desire to mate.
In addition to bleeding from the genital tract and swelling of the vulva, changes in the bitch's behavior are visible during heat, such as:
The frequency and duration of your dog's heat depends on its size, breed, age, health and other individual factors. However, heat that lasts longer than 21 days, irregular heat, and changes in the intervals between heat may be disturbing. If you notice these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. During a veterinary consultation, a calendar may be helpful, recording the dates of the next heat cycle. Generally, a female dog goes into heat without any health problems. Nevertheless, there are several health risks that you need to know about in order to respond properly to a disturbing situation.
In rare cases, older, unneutered bitches may develop purulent inflammation of the uterus, the so-called pyometra. It is a disease of the reproductive system that particularly affects female dogs between the ages of six and ten. Progesterone. secreted in the luteal phase affects the growth of the glands of the uterine mucosa, which consequently produce excessive amounts of secretion, which is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. In addition, progesterone, which reduces the dog's immunity, increases the risk of infection.
There are two types of this condition: open and closed pyometra. The symptoms of the first type are much easier to notice. They include a purulent, bloody and mucous discharge that flows from the vagina. In closed pyometra, the symptoms are more difficult to detect because the cervix is closed and the discharge cannot escape. Consequently, this form is more dangerous to the dog's health. Most often, the disease manifests itself with fever, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and increased heart rate.
Any type of uterine infection requires immediate treatment, and the best way to eliminate the threat, which helps prevent not only this disease, but also hormone-dependent cancers, is sterilization. Research shows that this procedure performed on a young female dog reduces the risk of breast cancer by as much as 200 times. The situation is similar in the case of uterine cancer, cysts or ovarian cancer.
Another disease that a female dog is potentially more likely to suffer from during heat is a bacterial urinary tract infection. The disease manifests itself with frequent urination, urinary incontinence, hunched posture and whining during micturition. These symptoms are accompanied by general anxiety and irritability. The disease requires pharmacological treatment. Bacterial bladder infection can only be partially helped. You should ensure that your dog drinks water regularly and avoid overcooling her body.
The above-mentioned diseases are serious ailments that should not be underestimated. All of them require immediate consultation with a veterinarian.
During heat, hormonal changes occur in the female dog's body, which results in particular changes in her behavior. The storm of hormones triggers a whole range of reactions from irritability to aggressive behavior. This type of anxiety, agitation or excitement may have another effect and manifest itself in complete ignorance of the caregiver's commands. In this case, letting your dog off the leash during a walk is extremely dangerous. To minimize troublesome and sometimes even dangerous situations, you should be especially careful when interacting with animals.
During this period, it is worth completely giving up playing with other dogs or participating in dog shows. We avoid dog parks and crowded places. If you have major problems with controlling your pet's aggressive behavior, you can seek help from a dog trainer or a dog behaviorist. It is also recommended to consult a veterinarian to rule out other health problems that may be affecting your dog's behavior. Please remember that the lack of imagination, prudence, as well as appropriate knowledge or experience do not release the guardian from responsibility for the safety of the bitch and her surroundings during this special period.
On these special days, you should devote more time to caring for your pet. As we mentioned earlier, it is worth choosing quieter places for walks, away from groups of dogs. You should be prepared for the fact that the dog will mark the area from time to time and that bloody discharge may appear in various places in the house. Usually, female dogs take great care of their hygiene during bleeding, but this is not always enough. We must be ready for more frequent cleaning and the need to protect some pieces of equipment. There are special protective underwear on the market that are comfortable and safe to use, although you should remember not to wear them all the time. Some protective panties have a pocket for replaceable inserts. We can also use sprays that mask or reduce the intensity of the odor emitted by female dogs during heat. They neutralize the smell, thus reducing the interest of males and, consequently, limiting the risk of unplanned mating.
Cane Corso have served various functions throughout their history. They took part in hunting, accompanied Roman legionnaires in battles, fought in the arenas. They were used as guard, guard and shepherd dogs. Currently, they perfectly find themselves in the role of a faithful guardian and defender of the family.
Understanding the dog's emotions and needs is the basis for building a strong, positive relationship between the handler and the dog. It is necessary for the proper development and functioning of a pet. Therefore, in order to enjoy the company of a healthy, cheerful, happy dog for many years, it is worth knowing its basic needs.
The Chow Chow is a very calm and extremely alert dog with a proud, dignified demeanor. He is a faithful companion and a great guardian. Currently, it is a popular and intensively bred all over the world breed that has earned the friendship of many show business stars and celebrities.
