Hello, it's me again, trying to get this dog ownership thing right. ;) The pups aare about 7 or 8 months old, and were 50lbs-ish at last visit to vet in Dec. They need to be spayed soon, but it will cost more if they are in heat. Here's my question: Will I know when they go into heat? How? Are there any "impending doom" signs to tell it's coming on? Do you think they will hold out until the low cost clinic in mid-Feb? Any help you could advise me with would be appreciated.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), January 19, 2002

Answers

The birth canal area will enlarge noticeablely, and they will be "practising" with each other.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), January 19, 2002.

I am suprised they aren't in heat already. Most females come into heat around 6-7 months of age. The vulva will swell and there will be some bloody discharge which will get all over everything if you have them indoors. (I learned this from experience.) If they do come into heat it can last anywhere from 3 days to over a month. You really should have them spayed a.s.a.p.

-- Joni (jjdenton@st-tel.net), January 19, 2002.

Hi Soni: Aren't you down the road from me? You can get low cost spay/ neuter certificates from the SPCA office in Raleigh. The certs. are excepted by several local area vets. I think last time I used them it was $69 for a spay, and $39 for a neuter. I'd get them done ASAP!

Anita near Fuquay Varina, NC

-- Anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), January 19, 2002.

Starting about 5 months keep an eye on them. Usually right about 6 months or shortly after they will come in heat for the first time. They will come in heat about every 6 months unless they are bred. Or they will come in heat approximately 6 months after they weaned their last set of pups. Usually the first sign is bleeding and swelling will begin. It will take them 7 days to come into heat, 7 days to be in heat, and 7 days to go out of heat.

If you plan on breeding them and want more males, breed them from the 11th day to the 14 day. Most usually you will get at least a 50-50 and sometimes more.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), January 19, 2002.

"It will cost more if they are in heat." What about if you wait until the heat is over? It only lasts about a week. You could wait two to make sure the swelling (inside) is down.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 19, 2002.

You'll know the gals are in heat 'cause every male from miles around will be on your property! There would also be blood on the floor when the females get up. Since they're in heat for 3 weeks, it can be a l-o-n-g time! Keep the dog on a leash in one hand and a gun in the other (those male dogs can get nasty!) when the dog goes out to potty, unless you want her bred.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), January 20, 2002.

Wow, $69 is a low cost spay? Yikes. My regular vet charges $54. Keep in mind you CAN have them spayed once they are in heat....it costs a few bucks more though. My vet is an extra $17 for an in heat dog.

Tracy

-- Tracy (zebella@mindspring.com), January 20, 2002.

Regular spay cost at my vet is $150.00. Each. Hence the desire for a low cost alternative.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), January 20, 2002.

Work backwards. Sixty three days before they whelp, they were in heat. You probably need to look backwards now to their first heat. At a guess, that was probably around Christmas (just so you wouldn't notice!), with them whelping end February. Could be earlier though. Do it now! The earlier you have them done, the better the chance that they won't get mammary tumours (breast cancer) later in life. Before first heat gives them best chance; before pregancy is OK; before parturition and lactation is better than nothing; later is still a bit better than nothing.

If there's any chance that you can sneak it in before they come in heat, you should grab it. If it turns out they're pregnant, then the earlier it's done the better. The day after tomorrow may be too late.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), January 21, 2002.

To be exact heat lasts 21 days.But , theres always a but!!!! I have found most breeding done between day 9-14 I have bred as early as day 7 and as late as day 23 with live puppy.They don't have to have a discharge to get pregnant or still be in heat .A vet will know if you bring it in on day 14 .They charge more because it is a more complicated surgery .During heat the reproductive organs are enlarged and blood engorged .Therefore there is more chance of bleeding. You have more tying off to do .Good luck.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002.