Estrus (Heat Cycles) In Canines

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Usually, in-tact females are placed for raising only in approved home-boarding homes, or with raisers who agree to kennel the female at their own expense.

Remember to write your girl pup's in-season dates on your monthly report and project book .
This information is invaluable if the pup should be chosen as a breeder dog!

If you are raising an intact female dog, begin monitoring her for signs of coming in season beginning at about six months of age. Her vulva will swell, she will lick herself more, and may act more “flaky” than usual when she’s getting ready for estrus. When you see bloody discharge, the pup has come into heat.

If you are home boarding your girl, she must be kept on a leash at all times when in the yard to avoid mis-breedings. She should be kept in a secure area of the house when you are home and crated when you are gone. (No social outings are possible until the female is no longer in season.) Disposable diapers or special heat-pants available at pet stores may be used part of the time to help with the mess, but should not be left on the dog in its crate to avoid its chewing and ingestion.

If you are planning to kennel your female at your own expense: your pup should receive the nasal Bordatella vaccine when they receive their rabies shot at twenty weeks of age. The vaccine is effective for six months. If you are planning to board her, and it’s been more than six months since her Bordatella, she will need another booster before she can be kenneled. Remember, the kennel will ask for proof of vaccinations including rabies, parvo and Bordatella before they will accept your puppy. If you need help choosing a kennel, call Carmen before the first signs of estrus are observed.

ALL ABOUT ESTRUS
From Randa MacMillian, D.V.M.
Estrus (“heat”) is the mating period of female animals. When estrus occurs, animals are said to be “in heat” or “in season.” Dogs generally have their first estrus cycle at six to twelve months of age. Some females of the large breeds, however, may not have their first estrus until they are twelve to twenty-four months of age. The complete cycle takes about six months, resulting in two estrus periods each year. Individual variation occurs, but a given female’s pattern tends to be repeated regularly.

The estrus cycle can be divided into four stages:
1. Proestrus: this stage begins with the appearance of vaginal bleeding. It normally lasts from four to nine days. Male dogs become very interested in the female; however, she will not yet mate with them.
2. Estrus: this is the stage in which the female will accept the male and conception can occur. The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. Ordinarily, the stage lasts from four to thirteen days. Your female will stand still and hold her tail to the side when you touch her back or a male dog tries to mount.
3. And 4. Metestrus and anestrus: these two stages are periods of ovarian activity, but with no significant outward signs. False pregnancies frequently occur during metestrus.

Important Points:

You should consider the dogs to be “in season” for twenty-one days: seven days coming into heat, seven days in heat, and seven days going out. Though conception is most likely during the middle seven days, Mother Nature doesn’t always follow the rules. Confine your dog for the entire three weeks.

Remember that this information is general. Not all females follow these patterns. Consult with your leader if your pup does not seem typical. Sometimes, cycling problems can be an early warning of more serious problems, and the sooner they are dealt with, the better. Your leader can help you decide how best to follow up on an atypical estrus in a Guide Dog puppy.