I think she's in heat - need a refresher.

[CassandGunnar]

I've had and lived with dogs my entire life, but it's been at least 30 years since I've lived with a bitch in heat. A majority of the dogs I've had have been neutered and/or male.

We got Chrissy as a foster on Saturday. When we were leaving the rescue, I noticed a small spot of blood on the floor, about the size of chocolate chip. (She had just had vacs and blood work/basic vet check - I forgot to pick up the sheet with all of the information from the exam and shot records, rescue is closed on Mondays so I have to get that today) I asked the volunteer about it and she said it was probably from her blood work or vacs. Made sense to me and I figured they would have told me if the vet had found evidence that she was in heat.
Over the past couple of days, we have found about a half dozen spots of blood outside and on the floor. Most are smaller than a dime, nothing bigger. It's only been 1 or 2 spots at a time. Her vaginal area is not swollen, puffy or red. My wife says she is acting like she's at "the end" of a heat cycle, but she's not sure and she has had limited (but more than I have) experience with a bitch in heat.
She's had a touch of the runs, but we expected that since she came from a shelter, via a day long transport. We had no idea what she had been getting fed so we expected the runs.
She has been "grouchy" with both of our dogs (3 1/2 YO male and 2 1/2 YO female, both neutered) but no fights. She has growled, curled lip, shown teeth. Both of our dogs gave her plenty of room. Her grouchiness is getting better and she has initiated play with both dogs a few times and I'm chalking some of that up to settling in to a new house/routine.

Her original profile listed her as 6 months old, an estimate since she was abandonded. Her updated profile as of yesterday listed her at 10 months. Like I said, the shelter and the vet are both closed on Mondays so I couldn't get much info. Didn't feel like this warranted a call to the emergency number.

We have a fenced yard but it's a picket fence and she can get out, I think, if she works at it. She's about 35 lbs and we're keeping her on a lead until we know for sure what's up.

I'm guessing the heat cycle may explain some of the grouchy, but what else do I need to know about living with a bitch in heat?

Thanks

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Dog in Heat for Dummies? ( 1 2 3)

Basically - especially for a foster - leash out to potties, back in the house.

Exercise inside and do things to tire her out mentally.