First heat cycle question

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frosso
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First heat cycle question

Post by frosso » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:48 am

I've never taken a dog through a heat cycle but my vet recommended I let my Llew go through a cycle because she has an inverted vulva. She said it might resolve the problem and prevent UTIs in the future. She's 10 1/2 mo old and hasn't had any UTIs so I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing. I thought she might be starting her heat cycle and I've keep her inside and only let her outside with supervision (she usually has the run of a big fenced in yard). It's only been 2 days of confinement and it's killing me to see her pinned up and she's definitely not her usual happy self. I'm not even sure she has started. How do you guys cope with a heat cycle with a high energy bird dog? I'm almost thinking if she isn't in heat I should just go ahead and get her fixed since she hasn't had any UTIs. Any advice or input is appreciated.
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nanney1
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by nanney1 » Mon Sep 17, 2012 9:21 am

If you're keeping her inside and she has started, you should see spotting on the floor or the crate.

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cstokes/southeast,ks
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by cstokes/southeast,ks » Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:35 pm

If the vet thinks you should do it, why not? Also if you have a fenced in yard why does she have to be kept inside unless supervised. Do you have other dogs around? I would kick mine outside just because I would rather not have the mess inside :D .

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brad27
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by brad27 » Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:56 pm

cstokes/southeast,ks wrote: Also if you have a fenced in yard why does she have to be kept inside unless supervised. .
Because other dogs will dig under and climb over that fence to get to her. Better safe then sorry. When mine comes in she goes under lock and key.

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ezzy333
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by ezzy333 » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:31 am

There is absolutely no way I would spay a female before her first heat cycle unless it holds off till she is near two years old. In my mind the heat cycle has absolitely nothing to do with when a dog should be altered. Maturity has everything to do with it. That means any dog should be at least two and three would probably be better. Otherwise, as we now know, you are creating more potential problems than you are solving.

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frosso
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by frosso » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:42 am

ezzy333 wrote:There is absolutely no way I would spay a female before her first heat cycle unless it holds off till she is near two years old. In my mind the heat cycle has absolitely nothing to do with when a dog should be altered. Maturity has everything to do with it. That means any dog should be at least two and three would probably be better. Otherwise, as we now know, you are creating more potential problems than you are solving.

Ezzy
Thanks for the input. Can you expound a little on the potential problems? I haven't heard wait till 2 or 3 and I would like to learn more about why to wait. That's a much longer wait than even the "wait for the first heat cycle" crowd is saying.
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ezzy333
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by ezzy333 » Fri Sep 21, 2012 9:07 am

There is a greatly increased risk of ligament problems, growth problems if the dog has not completely matured, increased risk of several types of cancer though it reduces the chance of mammary cancer, coat problems, and very possibly changes the muscling of the dogs.

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It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!

Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.

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Vonzeppelinkennels
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by Vonzeppelinkennels » Fri Sep 21, 2012 9:47 am

There are plenty of examples of problems if you take the time to look them up.The dog should be fully mature first,both mentally & physically.
I have never neutered or spayed any of my dogs & believe in most instances it's done for the conveinience of the owner NOT the dog.
Check out the pluses & minuses & make your own decision.
Good Luck!!

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frosso
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by frosso » Fri Sep 21, 2012 11:46 am

One more question guys. So what do you do with incredibly active bird dog during heat?

I'm afraid to let her run in the backyard because of fence jumpers and diggers. I work 9-10 hours a day and can't imagine kenneling her that long. I'm not worried about the mess. How do you deal with keeping her out of reach and still allow her to run?

Thanks so much for the great advice and insight. Your expertise has been very helpful.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4514

My dog's not spoiled ... I'm just well trained

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ezzy333
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by ezzy333 » Fri Sep 21, 2012 1:17 pm

frosso wrote:One more question guys. So what do you do with incredibly active bird dog during heat?

I'm afraid to let her run in the backyard because of fence jumpers and diggers. I work 9-10 hours a day and can't imagine kenneling her that long. I'm not worried about the mess. How do you deal with keeping her out of reach and still allow her to run?

Thanks so much for the great advice and insight. Your expertise has been very helpful.
I have never used activity level as part of the equation. Mine stay is a secure kennel run all day and in a crate at night. Not sure if you are talking kenneling or crating but kenneling is not a problem. Thats why we have kennels with kennel runs so we can control our dogs and keep them secure when you aren't present. Crate are just a different level and does not work well for the longer periods without relief.

Ezzy
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http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207

It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!

Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.

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frosso
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by frosso » Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:23 pm

Sorry for the misuse of terms. I don't have a kennel just a crate. She has run of the back yard during the day and she is confine to the kitchen at night with a dog gate. She gets crated when we travel. She's good in the kitchen at night but if I left her in there all day long I would probably lose a cabinet or some trim molding or maybe even a kitchen chair leg. :)
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ultracarry
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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by ultracarry » Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:14 am

You can still exercise the dog. Take it for a run in a remote area, leave the leash on (means you will have to run also) , iif the back yard is big play fetch constantly until you see the dog is tired.

I have the option of keeping mine at home or sending her to the trainer since they have solid roofs, and cement pads. And males are kept on the oposote side of the hard with the same type set up.

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Re: First heat cycle question

Post by cjhills » Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:24 am

Vonzeppelinkennels wrote:There are plenty of examples of problems if you take the time to look them up.The dog should be fully mature first,both mentally & physically.
I have never neutered or spayed any of my dogs & believe in most instances it's done for the conveinience of the owner NOT the dog.
Check out the pluses & minuses & make your own decision.
Good Luck!!
We have spayed and neutered many dogs in the first year, with no problems. there is as much information for neutering early as against and as with most dog health issues there is not enough research either way. Most of the research has been on limited numbers. It is purely a personal matter between you and your vet.
Personally, I have never seen a problem with spaying or neutering in the first year and never had a tendon problem on a dog.
I have seen Pyometra in intact females. It is expensive to treat usually requiring spaying and is often fatal. Some research says 20% of intact females get Pyometra. Spaying eliminates that risk.
My females have their first heat at about eighteen months. She won't normally attract males for a few days after the discharge starts so you are safe until then.
Go with what your vet thinks. Either way should work. CJ

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