28Apr/103
Are these characteristics common with dogs in heat?
My Beagle just went into heat for the second time. I thought she had been acting a little different in the past few days before i noticed she was really in heat.
She seemed tired, or like she didn't feel so good. Is that a dog's PMSing?
Also, her fur coat has been super soft for the past week. Does that have anything to do with it?
And last of all, does going into heat hurt her? Just wondering if she gets cramps and mood swings like i do. How can i make her the most comfortable during this time?
April 28th, 2010 - 17:47
The easiest way to make her comfortable is to take her to the vet and get her desexed.
Why haven’t you had her desexed already?
Is she a show dog? If not you have no reason to keep her having seasons.
Do you intend to breed from her? If the answer to the above question was no, then don’t even think about becoming another backyard breeder breeding sub standard dogs.. There are enough of those in society so we don’t need anymore.
Do the right thing by your girl and get her to the vet.
End the stupidity now – before you end up with an accidental litter.
BTW – none of the things you listed are symptoms of being on heat!
As for feeling PMS or cramps – learn to speak dog and ask her yourself.
April 28th, 2010 - 18:02
These symptoms don’t seem to be related to her heat cycle, but she could have some other underlying condition that hasn’t been treated to cause her lethargy, which may seem worse now that she’s in heat. It is common though for a bitch in heat to display bouts of “moodiness” or irritability (easily startling or feeling “touchy”, becoming somewhat aggressive to other animals, wanting to keep to herself, etc) throughout her 3-4 week long heat (and yes, they will already be going into heat several days before they actually start bleeding).
I would try to allow her plenty of time alone in a quiet, cool, somewhat shady or dark room when she seems to “not feel so good” so that you don’t cause her any additional stress, but ultimately, you should have her seen by a vet to make sure she’s not ill in any way. And, while you’re there, schedule an appointment (or get a referral to a low-cost spay/neuter clinic) to get the poor girl fixed, so she doesn’t have to experience this again! Know that having her spayed will keep her healthier and increase the chance of her living out a long life, free of developing cancers.
April 28th, 2010 - 18:51
That all seems pretty normal.my dog was pretty sick before the last time she went into heat,once it started though she was fine,so I doubt they get cramps and mood swings.Dogs have a way of getting on with things better than humans anyway so theres no need to treat her any differently during this time,just make sure no naughty neighbourhood boy dogs get over the back wall.
If your not going to breed from her though you should probably have her spayed,theres various health benfits to it that you can talk to your vet about.