[Puna Pit Bull]

Normally every morning Lucy goes with me when I take my wife to work. She get's up and then goes and climbs into our Honda Element. When she's half asleep she expects me to help her in car. With two front paws on seat, she waits for me to lift back end into car. Will today I noticed something different
going on. I saw blood spots on her bed! Then I realized that she is bleeding from her"private part"!? Does this mean she is going into "heat"? Or is it some other problem. I just made appointment yesterday for her to get "fixed", but Vet's office said they can't take me until 16th on next month! Do I have a major problem on my hands or what?

Help!!!!!!

[Noelle's Mom]

Sounds like she is just in heat. I had a cocker spaniel who had to wear doggie diapers whenever she was in heat because of bleeding. I'd still talk to a vet to be sure though. Especially if it gets worse then just a bit of spotting.

[maryellen]

yep, she is going into heat. you better batten down the hatches and make sure no males get to her... or you will wind up with a bunch of puppies or have to do a spay/abort...

[Galadriel]

Yeah, you're little girl has become a woman =)
It's actually good that your vet can't get her in until the 16th. Heat spays are substantially more expensive. By the 16th, she'll be out of heat. Keep her confined, try the diapers.

[Madeleinemom]

Second and third here - she has grown up.

Our Madeleine did the same thing: we had an appointment for her spay, and she beat us to i.

In our case, we decided to move the surgery up to 'immediately'.

[Michele]

keep that dog inside with the doors locked......

[Puna Pit Bull]

thanks for the info everybody. Hopefully her bleeding won't be to much. Do I go to a pet store for the diapers?

[Noelle's Mom]

Yup, they should have them at PetSmart (that's where I got them).

[Puna Pit Bull]

will she be spotty the entire time? Also when can I expect the neighborhood male dogs to start hanging out on my property? I have to figure out what I gonna do about that too.

Oh, also will Lucy change personality wise while in "heat"? Will she disobey me when I call her? I'm hoping she is not gonna be "boy crazy" during this period and go on the hunt herself. I'd hate to think that Lucy is a "Tramp", and will wanna seek out male companionship?

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Puna Pit Bull will she be spotty the entire time? Also when can I expect the neighborhood male dogs to start hanging out on my property? I have to figure out what I gonna do about that too. Oh, also will Lucy change personality wise while in "heat"? Will she disobey me when I call her? I'm hoping she is not gonna be "boy crazy" during this period and go on the hunt herself. I'd hate to think that Lucy is a "Tramp", and will wanna seek out male companionship?

If you keep her in the house you should not have a problem. ALWAYS keep her on leash while walking her. Supervise her while she is in heat.

[maryellen]

Puna, every dog in your house and in your neighborhood already know your dog is in heat.. you will have dogs from a 2 mile radius hanging out by your house trying to get to your dog.. DONT LET HER OUT ALONE OR SHE WILL GET PREGNANT... PERIOD..

measure her waist and go to petco without her.. any intact dogs at the store will try to mount her there too..

keep her on leash in side and outside in the yard, and if your yard isnt fenced be prepared to have male dogs try to mount her while she is on leash with you....

when dogs are in heat their hormones are out of wack per say.. kinda like when some women get their monthly cycle they are irritable and bitchy.... same thing.... your other dogs will feel the change, and you could have dogs that dont listen to you....

SHE CAN GET PREGNANT IF A DOG MOUNTS HER , WHETHER AT THE STORE, THE YARD, ANYWHERE OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSE...

dont wait any longer, the minute she is out of heat GET HER SPAYED

[Puna Pit Bull]

Originally Posted by maryellen dont wait any longer, the minute she is out of heat GET HER SPAYED

unfortunately Lucy will not be able to see the Vet until the 16th of

next month! So I guess I have my work cut of for me? Lucy is in the laundry room off the garage. Since she still has her puppy mentality I have a concern about her chewing everything wood in the house!? Do females like "dog toys",while in heat? Or do they need more food than normal? Gosh, I didn't realize what a lame I am! I know nothing about a bitch in heat!!!! I feel helplessly stupid!

[Galadriel]

No more food than normal. That only applies to pregnancies. Just try to puppy proof the laundry room as best you can, make sure she can't get into anything hazardous, i.e. bleach, soap, fabric softener, what have you. Give her 7 days or so, and she'll stop bleeding. HOWEVER she'll still be in heat and able to conceive for another 7 days after the bleeding stops. So keep her confined for the next 2 weeks, then all will go back to normal. =)

Oh, and I think you guys jinxed us! Hera went into her first heat today, too.....at just shy of 8 months old! DOH!

[Michele]

and make sure she can't GET OUT!!!!!!

[Puna Pit Bull]

does the female that's in heat try to get outside of a house as much as a male dog tries to get inside of the house? I need to know what I'm up against for the next two weeks? Will she become aggressive in her attempts to get outside?

[Puna Pit Bull]

also, did I ask already as to when I can expect to see a small army of male strays hanging in my yard waiting to pounce on Lucy when she needs to go outside to do her duties? Because, as of right now I haven't seen a single male stray all day around my property. Nor has "Tinker" barked at anything today!

[Purple]

I think that's called the calm before the storm.....

[maryellen]

sometimes females in heat with their hormones out of control will act different, some wont.. some human women get bitchy and moody, some dont, some gain weight, some dont..it all basically depends on the dog.. she might try to get out out of the house, and she might not.. hormones are weird, different animals act differently depending on their makeup.. she might get bratty, or ignore you, or be very lovey dovey...

[maryellen]

you have a 2 week window for males to come around, you might not ever see them, or you might...

[tat2stuff]