Female's first heat?

[DixieGSD]

So Dixie turned 9 month's on the 6th of the month. And has started her first heat cycle. I am keeping a very close eye on her, she dosen't go outside without me or my husband with her at all times. Dixie seem's to be "down" and look's like she dosen't feel well. She is eating and drinking water, she play's a little bit but just isn't getting as excited as she usually does. And when we come in she just lay's down next to me and goes to sleep. My question is how did your female act during there first heat cycle, and is her behavior normal? She is my first dog that I have owned, and I am a little worried, so sorry if it is a dumb question

[qbchottu]

Yes - females will change their behavior, eating patterns, energy levels when they go in season. Some get cuddly, and affectionate. Some go off food. Some get overly aggressive. Some eat a lot. Some get goofy, and stupid - won't work or make silly mistakes during sport. Some get depressed, and low in energy. Some don't change at all.

[Cheyanna]

Fiona started her first heat on Friday. She is 9 months also. The only change I noticed was she licked herself a lot down there. When I looked Thursday night she was noticeably swollen. I just picked her from vet boarding and she ate normally and went bathroom normally. I wish Fiona would become more cuddly, because of her heat, but no such luck yet. I have a question tho, does she wear her panties around the house? I have covered the couch and her beds with sheets. Carpet getting changed to laminate when she is done. There really is no sticky on heat. It starts out that way, then digresses. Can someone with experience give the both of us a hint?


Sent from Petguide.com Free App

[DixieGSD]

Thank you both for the replies. I'm glad her behavior is normal. The whole less energy thing kind of had me a little worried

Originally Posted by Cheyanna

I wish Fiona would become more cuddly, because of her heat, but no such luck yet.

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

Dixie has gotten so cuddley. She has to be touching me, either laying RIGHT on my foot, or her nose on my arm, or her paw on my leg. Which she has always been kind of cuddley but not to this extent And i would think they wore the diaper's/panties around the house, just take them off when they go outside and at night in the crate? If i'm wrong somebody please let me know

[qbchottu]

There are lots of threads on heat cycles:
1st heat? Is this normal?
When will my dog start going into heat??

Have the dog wear diapers when she is free roaming in the house. Take it off when she is crated or outside. Crate her at night without diaper so the vaginal area can breathe a bit and diaper is not on during the entire heat cycle. If your female is extremely clean, you might not even need diapers.

Of course, different females will be different, and if the cycle is irregular or split, it will be different also so take the following as a very basic generalization. First week, female will probably have dark or bright red discharge. Second week will be pinker, brownish, or clear. After ovulation, she might discharge some more - can be clear, brown, pink, red at times etc. After 3-4 weeks, she will be done discharging and swelling will go down. Be careful the entire time as you don't know when she will ovulate, but especially carefully during 2nd week.

[DixieGSD]

Thank you for all the info and links.

[Cheyanna]

Thank you


Sent from Petguide.com Free App