Hi my names Krystle if any one can give me some advice if they have experienced this or know what it us I could really use some input.
My female dog is about a year and a half old this is her second period, her first one back in January was very light and only lasted about a week. This one has had me worried since day one, she started on Wednesday and it was very heavy I mean she was bleeding through he washable diapers to where I was having to change her 3-4 times a day. Last night when we got home were gone most of the day so when I changed her I saw that the blood was very dark like a brown/ black color, first thing I thought was just its probably dried up blood. Didnt think to much about it Until I woke up this morning to find more and I just have no idea if its just that heavy that it looks like that or what……. Iv been driving myself crazy and just needed to know if anyone has any idea if this sounds normal or if its a vet thing…… I know vets are never a bad idea but if Its normal then why go? Also shes not acting funny or anything just as playful and loveable as always.
Could be a couple things- could be her body figuring itself out, as many first time heats are not indicative of their pattern for the rest of their lives. Most start dark but not THAT heavy, but over the internet, its hard to say. Hormonal levels can cause heavier to lighter flows. I would take her temperature and if thats normal, what youre seeing might be normal as well, however, since you dont really know yet what her “normal” is, if she were mine and I was inexperienced, I would probably take her to a repro vet (not a regular vet…most havent a clue about intact animals) and get some peace of mind that youre not dealing with any sort of pyometra (infection…very serious). Due to her age and the fact that she has not been in heat just recently, its not likely, but you can never be too careful with pyo.
I think its very difficult giving advice like this over the internet…Because there are so many things that arent being said (Not on purpose) But its just things that are being forgotten to be said about the situation…
Until you have more experience in what the female does (history) and more experience with German Shepherds or dogs in general…Its better to spend the time and money and have your dog checked out…You can also take advantage of this time with your vet and ask any and all questions you might have…So take it as a learning experience…
My female also bled very, very heavily; soaked up a pad in a few hours. I had to change the pad 3, 4 times during the night. The color of the discharge changed too. I think you female is probably having a normal season, but you should call your vet with your concerns and follow his suggestions.
I dog sat this one bitch that came into season on me and she bled like a stuck pig for weeks. Really brought it home to me that I will never own an intact bitch. Yuck!
Anyway, if you are going to own an intact bitch, your dog does not have periods: she goes into heat or season. Most likely your dog is having a perfectly normal heat, but as you have no idea what is normal or not, and there are some scary things that can go wrong with intact bitches, get in touch with a repro vet or an experienced breeder that can physically see what your dog is doing. Then, if all is well, they can educate you on the birds and the bees of dogs. Owning an intact dog is a big responsibility and you should know whats what.
It is not at all unusual for a females first season to be lighter than those that follow. A heavy flow is also not abnormal. However, I dont like the mention of dark brown blood. As the female nears her fertile period, which happens around day 10, the discharge normally changes to a straw-colour or more of a beige colour.
As Jenni mentioned, there IS a very serious infection of the uterus that can happen, and can be mistaken for a normal heat period. Its called pyometra, and can lead to rupture of the uterus and death. My friends female got pyometra after her third season, so it can happen in very young females.
The chances of this being pyo are slight, but it is such a serious infection, you might want to make a trip to the vet just to be safe.
A normal heat lasts about 18 to 21 days. The female will be receptive to mating beginning about day 10 to 12. Towards the end of the heat, the discharge usually becomes bloody again, but in my experience, the blood is red, not dark brown. The only time Ive seen dark brown blood was when my friends bitch had a uterine infection, and was aborting her puppies as a result…
Your dog may have any color of the discharge. It may start off clear to pink, then turn red and eventually a dark brown. This is usually seen at the end of their cycle. If your dog continues producing dark brown to black color blood, it would be best for your vet to examine your dog.
How Often Does a Dog Come Into Heat?
Most dogs generally go into heat every six months, or better said, twice a year. However, Basenjis and wolf hybrids tend to go only once a year.
Diestrus
This phase concludes the mating process, as most females at this point will no longer be interested in males. Males, however, may still stick around. This phase if the dog has been impregnated lasts generally from the end of the estrus until the birth of the puppies, averaging therefore 60 days. If the dog has not been impregnated, the diestrus phase will not be any different from the anaestrus stage.
Estrus
This phase is also known by breeders as standing heat because this phase is actually when the female dog will stand still for the male to breed. Gradually the bloody discharge seen in proestrus will be replaced by a pink- or straw-colored discharge signaling this important phase. This phase generally lasts 4 to 14 days.
FAQ
What color is the blood of a dog in heat?
Why is my female dog leaking brown fluid?