Since many of my clients have enquired about the seasons’ (also known as “heat”) cycles to prevent their female’s (also known as “bitch”) unintentional pregnancy, I thought a brief article would be helpful.
What is the normal course of pregnancy?
The average pregnancy lasts 63–65 days (but can be as long as 67 days). After three weeks, palpation can be used to confirm pregnancy, and it gets more accurate over time. After 28 days, ultrasound is a reliable tool for detecting pregnancy.
The bitch begins producing milk that can be expressed from the teats in the last week or so of pregnancy, and she also starts looking for a place to give birth (whelp). It is wise to acclimate your dog to the whelping box or other location where she will deliver her pups.
The whelping box should be placed in a private, quiet area, large enough for the dog to move around comfortably, and with low sides to allow for easy access but prevent the puppies from rolling out. Remove any soiled items and line it with plenty of absorbent material, like newspaper.
What is the normal heat cycle of female dogs?
Bitches typically go into heat between the ages of 9 and 10 months, but they can go into heat as late as 24 months in large and giant breeds. They cycle roughly every six to eight months, though this can vary greatly.
Vaginal bleeding, which appears as the first sign of heat and lasts for 9 to 14 days before ceasing when the fetus is allowed to mate. Standing heat or oestrus lasts another 9 days or so. At this stage, vaginal discharge is still visible and typically turns straw-colored. Since the first few days of oestrus are thought to be the most fertile part of the cycle, mating is more likely to be successful during this period.
The best time to mate your bitch can be determined by examining a sample of vaginal cells. A blood hormone test can also be administered.
How can I prevent my dog from becoming pregnant?
The most effective way to keep your dog from getting pregnant is to have her surgically sterilized (through an ovariohysterectomy or spay procedure) before her first estrous cycle. Most veterinarians advise performing an ovariohysterectomy before the dog is six to seven months old because it can be challenging to predict when this first cycle will occur.
FAQ
Does a dogs Heat end when they get pregnant?
Your dog’s fertile window during the heat cycle is relatively brief; it may start about nine or ten days after she goes into heat and last for about five days. She can conceive, though, up until the end of the cycle.
Do dogs stop bleeding when they get pregnant?
Even after being bred, a dog in estrus (heat) frequently experiences bleeding.
Do dogs stay in heat after mating?
Is there anything you should do immediately after your female dog has mated? Make sure she doesn’t get the chance to mate with any other dogs. Keep in mind that she will experience oestrus for a few more days, and that during this time she could theoretically become pregnant from another dog.
Can a dog get pregnant while bleeding in heat?
When a dog is in the proestrus and estrus phases of its reproductive cycle, it is said to be in heat. A dog’s vulva will discharge blood during proestrus and estrus, and a dog can become pregnant during estrus.