The American Beagler Forum

Hi Folks,
My 11 month old beagle, Shenara, just came into her first heat. I was wondering if anyone could give me advise on how to prevent infection, how to care for her hygiene, and how to recognize when her most fertile period is beginning. I noticed that she is showing bloody discharge as of this morning May 21 and the vulva is enlarged. I've done some reading on line but want to be as prepared as possible to guard her health and prevent pregnancy for now. We love her dearly. Thanks for your help, advise and consideration. Sincerely, imagine1701

Bleeding usually the first week. Don't worry about her hygiene. She will take care of that. The second week is when she will accept a male usually. The discharge changes to a light pink and may stop. The last week is when she is going out of heat. Best to keep her away from any males during the whole three weeks and then an extra week just to be on the safe side. Good luck.

Best protection is a good secure holding pen till it passes ...Patch

Thank you, Folks. I deeply appreciate your information and guidance. The way some of the vets and sites talk, the pup will surely die from infection from the "heat". This is my first intact female, and it sounded like if I didn't fix her, she was doomed. Funny, how all through time female dogs have gone into heat repeatedly without dying or else there would be no dogs now.

I have never heard of a hound getting an infection from just being in heat and I have had lots of females in heat. You hound will be fine, I am sure.

There is an infection that ANY female dog can get during the heat cycle regardless of breed...it is called pyrometra. A friend's 12yo German Shepherd got it last year....the only cure is an emergency spay. Type pyrometra into your browser and just know the signs of it....this way in the rare case that your dog gets it you will be able to get her to vet in time. Many sites and vets push the pyrometra and the cancers that spaying reduces the risk of in order to get people to spay their animals.
Many sites and vet are anti breeding. Though if it is the owners wish to leave the dog unaltered and eventually bred the vet should work with you on that. If the vet wont it is time to find one that will, because the last thing you want is to be fighting with your vet, esp if something does go wrong and you need to rush into the vets office.