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Female dogs go through two heat cycles a year starting from the ages of six months to one year, meaning they are ready to breed. And while it is generally best to spay a female dog before her first heat to reduce her risk of mammary tumors, certain circumstances can get in the way. Here, learn the signs indicating your new four-legged friend is in heat and why you should get her spayed as soon as possible.

Signs & Symptoms

Also known as estrus, first stage heat symptoms in a female dog typically include displays of nervousness and agitation among other behavioral changes, such as clinginess. Other first stage symptoms include a non-painful, swollen vulva followed by bloody discharge.

spayIn the second heat stage, the dog is ready to breed and may produce clear or brownish vaginal discharge. She will likely swing her tail from side to side and elevate her back legs to indicate her readiness to mate with male dogs. And since she emits pheromones male dogs can smell from miles away, male dogs will approach her and may fight to win mating rights, while other female dogs may behave aggressively toward her or vice versa.

Additional heat symptoms include frequent urination, licking the vaginal area to keep it clean, and mounting behaviors. Nesting behaviors, such as placing stuffed toys in her bed, are also common.

Why Spaying Is So Essential

Some veterinarians recommend waiting until the heat cycle is complete before spaying since it presents fewer complications, such as swollen blood vessels that tear easily during the surgery. Spay and neuter services remain the best way to control the dog and cat population and reduce the number of euthanizations occurring every year all over the U.S.

Spay and neuter services also add, on average, a year and a half to a dog’s life, help promote good behavior since she will not be as agitated and jumpy, and reduce her risk of breast cancer. While it is best to spay your dog before her first heat to reduce her cancer risk, spaying later on in her life still contributes to better health.

 

If it is time to spay your beloved dog, take her to Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic. Our trained surgical staff is comfortable performing spay surgery during a heat cycle.  Our inexpensive services make it easy to do your part to control the pet population without paying too much. We are a nonprofit located in Stratford, CT, and have performed over 32,000 spay and neuter surgeries to date. Call (203) 690-1550 today to schedule your pet’s surgery or visit us online for more information about our low-cost services. Like us on Facebook for fun facts and practical pet care tips.

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