Period FAQs

why hasn't my dog had her period

by Willy Howell Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
image

Possible causes of why your dog is not coming into heat include:

  • Silent heat cycle
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Ovarian hypoplasia 
  • Malnutrition
  • Tumor on the ovaries

Most dogs go through their first heat cycle between nine and 12 months, but larger breed dogs may not go into heat until they are 12 to 18 months of age. If she doesn't go into heat in the next few months it would be a good idea to schedule an exam with your veterinarian.

Full Answer

What do I do when my dog starts her period?

When your dog gets their period, there are a few things that you need to do to make sure that everything is normal during their cycle. Keep her clean: This can be a mess at times. Most dogs are very good at licking themselves to keep themselves clean. If your dog is not staying clean, you will need to wipe their vulva area twice a day to keep ...

What to do when your dog is on her period?

These things are:

  • Keep her clean: This can be a mess at times. ...
  • Breed them: If you want to have puppies, this is the time that you need to breed them. ...
  • Monitor for signs of infection: During their period, your dog may develop a vaginal infection or urinary tract infection from constantly licking. ...

More items...

What are symptoms for a dog getting her period?

Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Bloody discharge
  • Dragging her stomach around on the floor
  • Raising her hind end towards male dogs
  • Moaning or crying
  • Wandering around aimlessly
  • Trying to escape

Can My Dog still have a "period" after being spayed?

Spayed dogs do not have periods but may bleed post-operation as blood from the procedure works its way out. This should stop after a few weeks. However, prolonged bleeding may result due to surgical complications, or conditions left untreated such as vaginitis or infection. The truth is some blood is entirely normal and should be expected.

image

Do some dogs not get their period?

Dogs do not menstruate and are only receptive to mating when actively in heat. Do dogs go through menopause? No; dogs can become pregnant throughout their entire lives. There's no short answer to explain the reproductive cycle of a female dog, especially in comparison to the human menstrual cycle.

Can a dog not have a heat cycle?

Abnormal estrous cycling is a term used to describe a female dog that is not experiencing normal heat cycles. These abnormalities may include delayed, absent, or irregular cycles. A normal female dog should begin having estrous (heat) cycles by two years of age.

Can a dog be in heat but not bleed?

However, the most obvious recognizable sign is vaginal bleeding. This may not become apparent until a few days after the female has come into estrus. Some female dogs experience heavy vaginal bleeding during estrus, while other dogs have minimal bleeding. If you are concerned about your dog, consult your veterinarian.

Why is my female dog not coming on heat?

Reasons why your dog has not come into season yet include her age, breed, diet and a range of underlying health conditions. If you are concerned about your bitch's irregular estrus cycles, be sure to contact your vet for advice.

Do dogs always bleed in heat?

You may also observe that her vulva is large, red, or swollen with some bleeding or blood-tinted discharge. Your dog will only bleed for around half of the total cycle, usually 7 to 10 days. Generally, bigger dogs bleed more than smaller dogs, but it varies between dogs. Some dogs bleed very little.

How can I bring my dog into heat?

You can make your dog come into heat faster with regular walks, high quality food and exposure to male dogs. All can encourage heat to start. Some breeders use unapproved artificial hormones, such as PG 600 but this can be painful for the dog and lead to smaller litters and irregular natural cycles.

What are the signs that your dog is going into heat?

The most frequent symptoms before heat include:Swollen Vulva. ... Behavior Quirks. ... Increased Licking of the Vaginal Area. ... Vaginal Bleeding. ... Decrease in Vaginal Bleeding. ... Mating Behavior. ... Switched Tail Position. ... Male Dogs React Differently.

What are the first signs of pyometra?

Symptoms of pyometra include early warning signs of the animal feeling unwell, such as vomiting, refusal to eat, lethargy, increased thirst and frequent urination. She may also appear to be uncomfortable, because pyometra is a particularly painful condition for dogs, while being somewhat less so for cats.

Why won't my dog get his period?

Some dogs will not get their "periods" on a regular basis. This can be caused by medical problems such as ovarian cysts or hypothyroidism. If you are not planning to breed her, I'd recommend having her spayed. An article that might be helpful to you is The Heat Cycle of Dogs. Best of luck!

How long does it take for a German Shepherd to cycle?

Some breeds will cycle once every 4 months (e.g. German shepherd) while others will cycle once every 12 months (e.g. basenji).

When do dogs reach puberty?

Hi – thanks for your email. Female intact dogs also referred to as "bitches", reach sexual maturity (puberty) between 4 to 18 months of age , at which time they experience their first estrus.

What is Not Coming Into Heat?

There are some times when your female dog, or bitch, has an abnormal heat such as a silent or split heat or does not come into heat at all. If your female does not come into heat for over 10 months, there is a possibiliy that her reproductive cycle is being suppressed.

What is silent heat cycle?

Silent Heat Cycle. This occurs when your female will have a heat cycle without the normal symptoms such as bleeding and swelling of the vulva. Females will still be receptive to males and can become pregnant. Your veterinarian can check for a silent heat cycle by performing vaginal cytology and progesterone assays.

How old do dogs have to be to have a heat cycle?

Many times a female dog will not have a proper heat cycle until they are about two years of age. This is especially true in many large or giant breeds; they do not reach sexual maturity until they are two years old. You should be concerned if your female does not have a heat cycle by the time they are 24 to 30 months of age, ...

How to help a female dog with malnutrition?

Feeding a quality dog food is one way to ensure that your female dog is not suffering from malnutrition. Do not feed a low quality food and avoid giving extra treats or table scraps. Speak with your veterinarian about supplements that target the reproductive system of your dog.

Why is my dog not able to cycle?

Hypothyroidism. Your dog may be suffering from a thyroid problem that can cause irregular heat cycles and in more severe cases can cause your female to not cycle at all. Hypothyroidism is thought to be genetic and dogs diagnosed with it should not be bred.

What is it called when your ovaries are not fully developed?

Ovarian Hypoplasia. There are instances when the ovaries do not fully develop and are incapable of producing enough estrogen for your female to come into heat or have a normal heat cycle. The mammary glands and the vulva will stay small and look underdeveloped.

What does blood test show for a dog?

Blood testing will show if your dog is experiencing a thyroid problem. It is recommended if your female dog is experiencing significant reproductive problems such as abnormal heat cycles or lack of heat cycles, she be spayed.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9