First Season

[sazzle84]

My bitch has been in her first season. The bleeding stopped a week ago but her nipples are very large and look red and tender. Is this normal?

[lankeela]

Yes. although the bleeding has stopped the season is still continuing. It lasts approximately three weeks. They will revert to normal after a few weeks.

[sazzle84]

She seems ok in herself was just worried as she is just little and they seem so big!!!

Thanks

[shivvy]

Hi sazzle. I asked a similar question recently. This is a link to it - http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nat ure/Pets/Question529347.html
The update is that the vet said everything was perfectly normal but to keep an eye on her teats for things like more swelling or any discharge.
All the best.

[sazzle84]

Thanks for your help shivvy.

I've been keeping an eye on her and there has been no change other than two of her nipples are a bit red and looks grazed as if she has caught them on something!!

Hopefully they will settle done soon.

[Velvetee]

What happens when your bitch bleeds? Where does she bleed onto? I think that would just freak me out, it's bad enough dealing with my own "issues".

[lankeela]

Having read your other question I am beginning to wonder why you are in Animals and Nature.

Its all part of owning a bitch to have to put up with the occasional drip when they don't manage to clean themselves up quickly enough.

Do you have any animals, and if you do, how do you cope with washing up their food bowls (surely you don't let them contaminate your washing up bowl?)

[Velvetee]

No, Lankeela I don't have animals, but I love animals and I'm interested in them and knowing about them, which is why I am asking the questions here.

As this is a questions forum and there are people here who are knowledgeable about pets, then I think I can benefit from knowing more. I'm sorry to have asked such an abhorrent and impertinent question, I will be sure to not ask you anything, but it's something I didn't really know about. This is a site where people can learn and I have learnt so many things since joining.

But yes, you are right, I have a thing about hygiene and this is the only thing that stops me from getting a pet, even though I'd love to have one.

[ganesh]

Yes, my bitch did drip a bit on the carpet and I suppose it's a bit of a pain but the bleeding only went on for a week.
Her nipples became red and swollen after as well and even now after several weeks two of them still look a bit swollen and large but not red.
In answer to the main question I think it is normal.

[sazzle84]

Hi Velvetee

In answer to your question i bought my dog some pants from pets at home where you can put a pad in which is just like a sanitury towel. Stops my dog dripping on carpet, bed etc and she looks dead sweet.

Just to let everyone else know my local pets at home store gave a free consultation with the vet at the weekend so i popped along with my dog and there is nothing to worry about. The only way to stop the swelling and bruising would be to give her hormone tablets (which he didn't recommend) or get her spayed which i'm thinking about.

[ganesh]

wow, I wish I'd have known about doggy knickers, when I suggested them everyone laughed ,still I bet my dog wouldn't have kept them on for long (not questioning her morals of course!!)
Hope she feels better soon and doesn't go for the fully blown phantom pregnancy thing.

[lankeela]

Sorry but I would never put these things on my dog. As I said before seasons as part of owning a dog. I think they are degrading and mean you care more about your carpets than your pet.

[sazzle84]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I see where you are coming from lankeela. However my bitch was losing a lot of blood for a such a little thing and after a few days of cleaning up found it better for both of us for her to wear the pads. When I was in the house I kept them off her as could keep an eye on her and clean up, it was only if I had to nip out or took her with me to visit family members which I feel is all part of being a responsible dog owner.

[ganesh]

I don't believe that the dog would feel ' degraded' That's attributing human emotions to the dog. They dont mind wearing a collar ( or in some cases coats and bows etc.) I think there would be more embarrassment from vistors to be honest . It's quite natural to care about blood on the carpets in the same way as we try and keep muddy paws off them.
But really I'm surprised that they keep the pants on. Mine would tear them off straight away and probably eat them!

[sazzle84]

Hi ganesh

I've been lucky with my pup. She'll let you do anything to her as is so placid. The pants look pretty comfy and don't restrict the way she moves, think she forgets she's wearing them at times!