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Post by sham on Mar 19, 2008 14:26:15 GMT -5
I am a new owner of a bitch. She, what I consider finally, went in heat. Is it normal for them to be almost 1.5 yrs old? And, how long are they usually in heat for?
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Post by RealPitBull on Mar 19, 2008 14:32:08 GMT -5
That is a very LATE heat. Bitches come into heat for the first time at around 6 months. A heat cycle will last about 21 days.
Can I ask why she is not spayed? Will you be breeding her?
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Post by valliesong on Mar 19, 2008 15:54:28 GMT -5
They are usually in heat for a total of about a month. You need to be extra vigilant - only take her out on leash in a fenced in area. Dogs can mate through fences, and males will do anything to get to her, so don't leave her out of your sight.
Also keep careful watch for pyometria and other infections in addition to false pregnancy.
Some vets will spay while she is in heat, others will ask you to make an appointment as soon as the heat is over. Remember that each addition time she goes into heat increases her chances of pyometria and mammary cancer.
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Post by bullymommy25 on Apr 4, 2008 18:47:15 GMT -5
Yup that is late... my doggie went into heat at 9 months. It happens every six months. But the reason my dog isn't spayed is because it disqualifies her for showing. And it is INCREDIBLE how much effort (extra effort) i have to put into her care when she is in heat. She needs a clean diaper, supervised yard play or my husband walking with us to keep Stella safe and pregnancy free, xtra bathing. We've had 450 thread count sheets destroyed with blood that leaked from the diaper, all types of issues. We've been fortunate with no un-altered male dogs around here, but my husband's mother's dog was unspayed and RIPPED FROM HER YARD by a dog who dug UNDER HER FENCE... a litter came 63 days later. It really is difficult to have an unspayed female in the house, not to mention that when she meets other females, at the vet or pet store, they can have strong reactions to her. And for the record, we are not looking to breed her unless she has AMAZING success and good tests next year, both of which are rare (breed only the best of the best!). I honestly am eight months pregnant right now and I would not force that on my best friend, especially being that it isn't her choice and it is so difficult to find quality homes. I really can't justify the REAL risks of losing my Stella in the whelping process. Just wanted to give out some perspective from someone with an intact female... it's NOT easy, and you get a lot of extra responsibility!!
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Post by bullymommy25 on Apr 12, 2008 16:44:48 GMT -5
I've just spoken to someone who actually got their dogs "fixed" in the human way, which seems a little more humane to me, because it keeps the female/male hormones and organs intact. Her bitch had a tubal, and they can also do vasectomies on the male dog! This costs extra, and many people just don't care to pay it or don't see the need. I know it isn't a popular opinion, but I would NEVER choose to control aggression or high energy with the removal of organs, I would control it with proper training and care. I also don't worry about cancer risks, because there is evidence of other cancers and health problems caused by altering, and as a "naturalist" I generally disagree with the removal of any god given hormone or body part. I DO agree that we are in crisis mode with animal overpopulation, deaths in shelters, back yard breeders and irresponsible people creating litters... and I think that if it can be afforded, the "human" style operation is really the way to go. Just my own opinion, and I don't expect much agreement because of the crisis we are in. But there are many vets who will perform this, some who will not. If and when I needed to alter a dog, this would be my way of choice!
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 15, 2008 13:16:00 GMT -5
Be responsible and prevent accidental litters, and I really don't care if your dogs are intact or not (I'm speaking in general, to the generic 'you'). S/N does not magically make a dog owner responsible, and those people that are going to breed will do it no matter how many positive benefits of S/N you try to sell them. Of course, if you can convince someone who isn't that responsible to S/N their dog, you are ahead of the game.
I focus on breeder education, or rather, trying to convince most people that they have no business breeding and should S/N their dog. But I am well aware that many people can very responsibly own intact dogs. I had intact dogs for years, one reason being that I am involved in conformation showing and dogs need to be intact for that. I am not a breeder and do not see myself breeding in the future.
My first line of defense is educate owners on responsible care of their dogs, and second line of defense to help convince people not to breed - just so happens that S/N usually logically follows as the first plan of action. But I am not one of those people that thinks S/N'ing everything in existence will make all our problems go away. Besides, focusing solely on S/N is shortsighted and not necessarily addressing root causes of problems.
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Post by bullymommy25 on Apr 16, 2008 15:29:13 GMT -5
Here's something to add to discussion: ANYONE thinking of responsibly breeding their dog MUST take precaution, either through mandatory spay/neuter of the pups, or through legally binding contract or BOTH (best). A dog in a litter that I was looking at last year has gone on to produce her OWN litter, and I have just learned that four of the people who bought those pups are looking at them as an "investment". It NEVER seems to end. I am pro responsible breeding, and anyone considering breeding at any point needs to know that this is their responsibility, to ensure the pups do not go on to create their own litters! There can be up to 12 (!) pit bull pups in a litter, and if each female from that litter goes on to reproduce, it would only take a few short years before over 100 dogs have been created.
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 17, 2008 8:11:36 GMT -5
Hear hear! Ethical breeders sell their pups with contracts to carefully screened homes. PERIOD. This business of selling to anyone with money and to people who are looking for an investment is the downfall of our breed. Dogs are NOT AN INVESTMENT - they are companions.
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Post by bullymommy25 on Apr 25, 2008 18:48:04 GMT -5
Stella got her second heat today =) Her washable diaper is packed still so we're hoping she doesn't rip off the disposable ones... My baby is growing up!
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