Hello all
I need a bit of help. I'm a first time dog owner and my 9 month old female just came into season ( I think?). She's bleeding a bit ( droplets) and her genital area is quite swollen.
Do I need to take her to the vet since it's her first time?. Is there certain things I should be on the lookout for health wise. ( I know about making sure she's kept away from any males) but is there anything else. MIke Coutu ( where she comes from) told me to keep her pretty much locked up after 14 days and keep her that way until the end ( how long)..and thats fine, but what else is there? I've stopped training her and only throw short marks just to exercise her. I've also been told that she may come into season again pretty soon after the first one..Really??

Any help is appreciated.

Marc

no need to take her to the vet unless the discharge becomes green/smelly or she is obviously not feeling well....In that case you would want to get her in ASAP....Also - keep a close eye on her throughout her entire heat cycle...I would not wait til day 14 to 'lock her up'..keep a very close eye on her after about day 7...this is her first heat cycle and hard to say how long it will last......first heat cycles can be shorter....average is 21 days

I have never heard of another heat cycle soon after the first one...about every 6 months is average for bitches coming into season...

Julie is right, but some dogs are a little off on their cycle.My girls first 2 heats were 2nd week of August and then the 4th week of November. Since then it has been anywhere from 5 to 8 months.
Rich