question about a females heat cycle

[mcdougie]

I have a twelve month old chessy named Theah, and she has yet to start her heat . When should I expect it to start and how long will her first heat cycle last.

[siberianhusky101]

First off, her cycles will last about 3 weeks, and most pet supply store will carry doggie diapers that can help with the mess and prevent unwanted pregnacies. If you plan to breed her, remember that the whole point of breeding is the better the breed. And you may want to find an experienced breeder to help coach you along the way. If you do decide to breed her she will need her cERF, OFA, PennHip and vet testing before being bred (dogs can get std's the same as humans so you want to make sure that your stud is checked and okayed by a vet as well).

http://members.tripod.com/~Marge_S_2/nonframes/Breeding_Your_Dog.htm

" A spayed or neutered pet does not become fat or lazy. Their metabolism may slow down abit but all you have to do to keep that trim look is cut back a little on the food.

2) Spaying or neutering provides relief from such hormone driven urges as:

* Aggression toward other dogs, particularly for males.
* Territorialism, that is, the tendency to be overprotective of the dog's home ground.
* Wanderlust, that is, the desire to escape from the yard and seek sexual adventure inthe outside world.
* Dominance.
* Marking territory with urine/feces.
* Unwanted sexual behavior such as riding, sniffing, licking, arousal.
* Frustration which occurs when the behaviors dictated by hormonal urges cause thedog to behave in a way that is undesirable to the owners.

3) Protection (either partial or complete) from such hormone-induced conditions as:

MALES

* Testicular cancer
* Benighn prostatic hyperplasia
* Acute and chronic prostatis, prostatic abscess
* Perianal gland adenomas
* Orchitis (infection of the testicles)
* Venereal tumors
* Perineal hernia (abdominal organs bulging out of rectum)
* Inguinal hernia with potential organ strangulation

FEMALES

* Breast cancer
* Cystic endometrial hyperplasia and pyometra
* False pregnancies
* Mastitis (can occur during false pregnancy)
* Transmissible venereal sarcoma
* Ovarian and uterine tumors
* Cystic ovaries and hyperestrogenism
* Chronic endometritis
* Vaginal hyperplasia and prolapse
* Uterine torsion or uterine prolapse

(Some material by Bonnie Wilcox DVM) "
http://www.learntobreed.com/spaybitch.html

SPAYING – THE NEGATIVE SIDE

· Spaying means sterilization.
Spaying will result in the sterilization of your dog, and she will no longer have the ability to become pregnant.

· Spaying may cause weight gain.
Some pets may gain weight after spaying and as they get older. Just as with people, to loose weight we need to either diet or exercise. Cutting back on food intake or increasing your pets activity will help reduce weight gain.
-Pine Bluff Animal Hospital

http://www.cooldoghalloffame.com/dog-health/the-pros-and-cons-of-spaying/517 (I'm not sure about the resources of this page so I'm only leaving he link to it.

[mcdougie]

Thanks, that was way more info then I asked for, I appreciate it. I would ask that when sharing your vast knowledge and experience that you would also include the risks of having your dog spayed ( few as there are ).

[Aztec]

Spaying does not cause weight gain - this is a myth, weight gain is attributed to poor diet. Both my dogs are fixed - and my female is in excellent shape.

The only risks there really are the ones that come with any surgery.

[Scottie]

I have a german shorthaired pointer and she will be 5 this fall. She is starting to go into heat again. Long story I had to get rid of her for almost a year but I got her back last week. How long will she continue to go into heat and does it become less as she ages? ( the flow that is) And can I get her fixed or is it to late. I have heard that they can develope cancer or other problems if they are to old. Last year she went into heat and it was a mess. Do I expect the same this year?