Romana Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 My shepherd bitch was bleeding and obviously in heat less than one month ago. She was not mated. Today, she swoll up and started bleeding again! Can she possibly be in heat again? She was vet-checked and revaccinated only 2 weeks ago (just after she stopped bleeding) and the vet didn't find any indications of a disease. She is in perfect shape. What do you think? I'm actually thinking about mating her now, IF she really is in heat, as the timing would be much better than a couple of weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Find a good reproductive vet ..and get her hormone levels tested - then you'll know if she is in season, or if there is something else happening. No ..it is not a 'normal' thing . Get her thoroughly blood tested /swabbed etc to rule out any nasties . Better that, than mate a bitch with a health problem , I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 (edited) split heat? How often does she usually cycle?I would get her checked by a repro though in case there is something odd going on. Edited May 29, 2012 by espinay2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romana Posted May 29, 2012 Author Share Posted May 29, 2012 split heat? ... "Split heat" was a good catch word, thanks. I found a lot of interesting testimonials about "split heat" on this site: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/forum.read?mnr=3587&pagen=1 It doesn't seemto be that uncommon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 If she is bleeding it is not the right time to mate her with the male. You have to wait until it stops & she is into the next phase for her to be fertile. Progesterone test at the vets if you are not sure when she is ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 It's not uncommon for a bitch to have an occasional split heat, or even a silent heat. BUT, if she does it all the time, then I'd definitely be seeing a repro vet. Every time a bitch has a season, the symptoms within her body tell her she is pregnant. When she is mated and eggs fertilise, she continues into full pregnancy. If she isn't mated, the symptoms end until she is next due in. A bitch which is cycling almost constantly with split heats or silent heats is copping an absolute BATTERING hormonally and this itself makes her more prone to major health-risk issues such as pyometra. In most cases, vets who are the equivalent of GPs in human terms, simply don't see enough complicated hormonal issues to be able to treat them properly so personally, if she were mine, I'd be seeking the advice of a specialist just in case, especially if she is to be a part of a breeding program. And remember too that things like this can be genetic so if you do intend to use her in a breeding program, maybe check with her breeders to see if there have been any similar issues with bitches from the same lines previously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 how old is she? how often does she have a season prior to this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romana Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 She's 3 years old and was bought from someone else only a few months ago. We don't know anything about her previous seasons, only that she hasn't had any puppies yet. She's actually not mine, but only in my temporary care, and her current owner wants to have puppies with her and my stud dog. I just wonder whether it is safe for her to be mated, or whether she could have a serious health problem. As I said, I was with her at the vet's only 2 weeks ago, and the vet found her healthy - but it was just an appointment for a booster vaccination. What surprised me was that although she had just stopped bleeding at that time, when I introduced her to my young stud, he totally ignored her - I mean he just played with her nicely and peacefully, but didn't show any sexual interest. I must say that he has never mated before, never had the chance to even try. The bitch's owner wants to try it again. What I have read out of the other forum's posts is that she was not really in heat the first time at all, but the 'real' heat has come now. My plan is that I will put the pair together again in a couple of days and see what happens. However, under no circumstances I want to make a sick dog-girl pregnant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkrai Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I would skip this season, and wait till the next one, but if you are going to breed her speak to a quailifed repro vet they are more specialised in this practice and will advise you better in this situation. He might not be sexually mature yet, if he is still unwilling then, you may want to use a more mature and experienced male. Just hoping all her health tests are current and registered :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 Agree with Darkrai... I'd skip it. Given you haven't got any of her previous history, it makes it hard to know exactly what goes on during her seasons. Either see a repro specialist or wait until next time to see if she has a "normal" one - and, if necessary, prog test her.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romana Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 Thanks a lot for your information and advice. I'll talk to the owner and see what I can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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