Puppies 1st Period.....Please Help!

[KittiKatAttack]

Hi, just joined the site today, so hope I'm going about this the right way. My 7 mo. old (supposed chihuahua mix), Zoe, got her 1st period about a week ago. A couple days before the bleeding started, her external genitalia (vulva?) got swollen. Now, it's huge. She is almost resembling a boy down there, and it's starting to freak me out a little. My question: is this normal, and when will her stuff go back to normal?? Zoe is my first puppy, so I am not real kean on the canine menstural cycle. I was not aware that this would happen so soon in her life. I do plan on getting her spayed as soon as all this is over. Any advice would help....I don't want to bring her to the vet for something perfectly normal.
Thanks,
Cat

 

[bubbatd]

Very normal . Watch her VERY carefully !!! She's heading into her fertile stage . She should go back to normal after her third week . Plan a spay 3 to 4 months from now . Her hormones should be allowed to go back to normal . Glad you joined . Stick around and post pictures !

 

[Zoom]

That all sounds about normal from what I hear (I've never had an intact female before)

One very important thing though...make sure that she is NEVER EVER EVER left out of your sight at any time during her heat. EVER. Male dogs will come from miles around to try and mate with her and it's up to you to prevent her from getting pregnant. This even means she needs to watched constantly, if not leashed to you, even in the backyard.

 

[showpug]

A large amount of swelling is very normal. Sometimes they get huge!

Others gave great advice here. Make sure to get her spayed in 3-4 months and watch her like crazy for the next 2 weeks!

 

[~Jessie~]

Yes, that is very normal. I agree with what's been said, and make sure that you keep a very close eye on her.

 

[SummerRiot]

Everyone gave some great advice so far.

Her "cycle" will last approx. 28 days. Watch her SOO SOO carefully around the 5-12th day.. I believe (if I'm remembering correctly) that is when they are most receptive.

I wouldn't take her out into a heavily dog populated area as well - this is also the time that she is most receptive to pick up infections as well because of her being soo swollen and large.

Definately get her spayed when her heat is completely finished as well After a first heat is usually the ideal time to spay a bitch or right before as well.

Heats can happen as young as 6 months of age as well, sometimes 5 depending on the breed.

I'm glad to see that your taking the right step and seeking help when needed and that you are going to be getting her spayed as well! Awesome job

 

[krisykris]

I'm glad you posted this.. my girl is about 8 months and due to come into heat anytime now i'm assuming and I've been worried about it. I'm also getting her spayed 3 months after her first cycle.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

FWIW, I would go ahead and spay an 8 mos old if she has not been in season already.

There is no need to take the risk of an accidental pregnancy.

To the OP: Bitches in season (it is not a "period", nor is it menstruation such as occurs in humans) will do almost anything to seek out a breeding partner during their receptive stage. It is VERY IMPORTANT to exercise and walk her on leash and make certain she has zero access to any intact male dogs.

She is probably fine to spay once she has been out of season 30 days. I would not wait longer than 3 mos post season.

 

[KittiKatAttack]

Thanks...

Thanks guys & gals....you put me at ease!

 

[bubbatd]

I agree with Redy , Krisy . Get her spayed now , before she goes into heat .

 

[mypuppy]

Thanks from Halo and I, too! How long does the bleeding last?

______________

My Puppy

 

[Sush]

I am an owner of a Chihuahua mix who (when wasn't spayed) had ginormous gentalia during her heat cycle. My boyfriend started calling it a donut. It definately goes down once she's done with her heat cycle and even more so once she's spayed.