Dogs express their first heat signs when they attain puberty. The reproductive cycle of dogs consists of various stages. The reproductive cycle is termed the estrous cycle, and the main stage of this cycle is also termed as estrous, in which dogs show heat signs.
Dogs usually attain puberty, on average, at the age of six months. Obviously, not every breed reaches puberty at six months of age; smaller breeds attain puberty at an early age, and some larger breeds at later ages of eighteen months or two years. First, you need to understand the different stages that an estrous cycle has.
There are four phases of the estrous cycle:
- Proestrus Stage
This is the first stage of heat, and the female dog is getting ready to mate. Blood-tinged discharge and swollen vulva are exhibited during this stage and may be taken as signs of puberty.
- Estrus Stage
The mating stage is an estrus stage. The female is urinating more frequently than before. It also marks spots to attract the male and show the desire to meet. Vaginal secretions may become progressively slower and slower. The female may be deflecting her tail on one side; this is usually called the flagging stage of the estrus cycle.
This stage may range from 4 to 24 days. On average, the estrus stage also continues for nine days. Estrogen level will be decreasing, and progesterone level will be higher and higher. There is reduced bleeding, and a Cytology examination will present epithelial cells.
- Diestrus Stage
Dog gets back to the normal stage after estrus. It gets pregnant, or all the symptoms disappear. No vaginal discharge and no swollen vulva are observed. There should be no mating during the first or even second heat. This stage continues for two months. Estrogen levels are very low, and progesterone levels will peak for the first four weeks. Cytology examination shows the presence of basal cells now.
- Anestrus Stage
In the non-active stage, when there are no hormonal, physiological, or sexual changes, a Female dog is commonly preparing for the estrous cycle.
How long does a dog in heat bleed?
On average, the Proestrus stage usually continues for nine days. This is a period where extensive bleeding occurs. Female Dog is very good at cleaning her blood, but you may see spots in her habitat. The bleeding stage can continue from 0-27 days of the cycle. During this stage, male dogs will be attracted but will not be able to mate. Estrogen level will be high, and follicles will be developing. Vaginal cell examination will also be presenting Red blood Cells.
Do dogs bleed the whole time they are in heat?
Proestrus is the only stage when a female dog bleeds. Bleeding begins stopping after 9 to 10 days of heat, usually. Hygiene is necessary during this stage, and mostly female dogs keep themselves clean. Bleeding can be controlled by applying pressure on the vagina by placing a neat piece of cloth gently. If blood is still wetting the fabric, another piece of cloth can be used on the top of the previous one.
Can dogs get pregnant when they are not in heat?
The Estrus cycle is the only stage when the dogs can get pregnant. There is no possibility of dogs being pregnant without being in heat. However, the estrus cycle itself is an individual matter for a particular female as it varies in each dog.
How often will the dog go in heat?
Usually, the female dogs come into heat twice a year with an interval gap of six months, but it may change between different breeds. The giant breeds may go in heat once a year, while the smaller ones will repeat the cycles twice or thrice a year.
What are the tests to determine the mating stage?
Two tests are used to determine that the dog is ready to mate.
- Vaginal Smear Test
In vaginal smear tests, various vaginal cells are examined to evaluate their macroscopic and microscopic characters in the mating or non-mating stage. This test is non-invasive and has been used for a long time to determine the mating stage.
- Serum Progesterone Test
Serum progesterone test examines the progesterone level in the blood, hence the more reliable and advanced examination level. It accurately measures and can indicate when the mating will be successful. These tests are performed by vets and are useful in treating female dogs with a case history of unsuccessful mating.
What are the signs of puberty or in the heat stage?
The various signs of puberty or in heat stage may include
- Agitated or aggressive behavior
- Frequent Urination
- Swelling in vulva
- Straw-colored discharge
- Flagging
- Licking of Genital area
- Mounting
How long does the heat cycle continue?
The cycle continues for 2-4 weeks. The most fertile stage begins on the ninth or tenth day of puberty. However, mating can occur throughout her puberty cycle, and she experiences pregnancy. At the start of puberty, cycling is irregular, and this is normal. There is no evidence for the notion that female dogs having irregular heat cycles, in the beginning, will result in having unsuccessful mating. A female dog requires eighteen months to get regular cycles of heat.
Is it necessary to tie with a male dog for pregnancy?
In most female dogs, fertile stage, when the vaginal secretions become watery, she will be receptive, and mating occurs. It is not necessary to tie with a male dog for pregnancy. The sperm can survive in the vagina for weeks, and she may become pregnant throughout her heat cycle.
Pregnancy can last for nine weeks in the dogs. Slip mating can occur without a tie and if pregnancy has occurred with slip mating, then attempting to tie with another male dog is not desirable. It can result from pregnancy from first and second male dogs, and an accurate record of breeding will not be possible.
Do dogs feel bad when in the heat?
There are many similarities in the menstrual cycle of human beings and dogs. Although female dogs are unique in many ways, pain is felt by each of them during the heat. Some female dogs will show a little aggression during heat or season. Many of them will hide their feelings of pain, while others will be showing these.
Maybe an owner is very much concerned about the female dog’s pain, and their pet is sensitive to the hormonal and physiological changes during the heat or estrus cycle. Mostly, there is a lot of care needed for pets these days.
Stray dogs will be smelling the fragrance, and they will be on the doorstep and awaiting to mate with the female dog. Most owners are most interested in loving their pets but do not take care of them during heat cycles. Maybe this is their ignorance of the basic phenomenon and stages of heat cycles.
How can we prevent a dog from becoming pregnant?
If there is no pregnancy plan, a female dog should never be allowed to go out in the yard. During the heat cycle, the female dog exhibits several signs that are attracting male dogs for mating. So, female dogs should be kept under continuous supervision and care. Female dogs do themselves desire to mate.
She may be very loyal to you, but all the physiological and hormonal changes create a thrust in her to mate. This ever- deriving struggle could make her go out of her home. If something happens like this, immediately bring her back to the home. Aggressiveness is typical during these days of heat, but the pet can be treated with utmost love and care only.
After the heat cycle, a female dog experiences many health problems like lethargy, loss of appetite, a bacterial infection in the uterine lining, and fever. On these signs, vets should be consulted for proper treatment. Spaying is helpful to get rid of these heat cycles after every few months. Once the heat cycle is over, vets recommend spaying out of dogs. For giant species, hormonal growth is necessary for skeleton development. Therefore, spaying is delayed in these cases after consulting with the vet.
Spaying is the complete removal of the ovary and uterus to sterilize a female dog. Spaying is beneficial in controlling the population as once a heat cycle starts in a female, there is no menstruation cycle.
The female will mate and will continue pregnancy throughout her life cycle. Spaying can increase dogs’ life span, help them eliminate their fearfulness, and prevent several ailments, including ovarian, breast, and uterine cancer. It also removes the risk of Pyometra (A uterine infection).
Conclusion
Thus, the estrus cycle of a female dog continues throughout her life. Proper education of the people is necessary about the behavioral and physiological changes occurring during this important cycle. You should take special care of the pets during the estrus cycle. Their aggressive behavior should be tackled with love and care.