Death Is Quite A Journey
Death is usually confirmed by using a stethoscope and listening for lack of a heartbeat, but what is death? Death is the collapse of the dog’s cardiovascular system, which translates into the failure of oxygen delivery to the tissues, cells, and vital organs of the body. It’s the end of the journey.
Death in dogs may occur naturally or through the injection of euthanasia solution by a vet. Most dogs are euthanized by a vet, but more and more owners are now electing hospice care for their dogs with the assistance of a vet. Hospice care doesn’t mean that euthanasia is never considered. On the contraryit is considered as a last option should the dog be in unmanageable pain.
It’s important that dog owners remain in constant contact with their vets during this time and that they keep injectable pain relievers on hand should the dog no longer be capable of taking pills by mouth. Work with a vet that specializes in hospice care to make sure your dog is as comfortable as possible throughout the process.
Death is quite a journey. It is part of life, and sadly it’s something that all of us dog owners will eventually have to face at one time or another. As the saying goes, though, “forewarned is forearmed”. Being acquainted with the dying process in dogs offers an important advantage.
Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.
Rumi
Signs Of A Dog In Heat
There are behavioral clues and physical symptoms of a dog in heat, which can include:
- swollen vulva and bloody vaginal discharge
- increased moodiness, growling at humans or picking fights with other dogs in the household, especially other unspayed female dogs
- increased interest in roaming or getting out of the yard
Dog In Heat Heres Everything You Need To Know
Dogs in heat need to be treated with care. Do you know how to recognize the signs of a dog in heat? Get informed and be prepared for whatâs to follow.
Do you have a male or female dog, which has not yet been spayed or neutered? In this case, knowing the signs of a dog in heat is very important for both male and female dog parents. This can help you to do the following:
- be better prepared for the experience
- prevent unwanted pregnancy/new puppies
- plan for puppies when you do want them
- avoid dangerous situations dogs in heat can be very unpredictable and even run away from home
So what are the most common symptoms of a dog in heat? What can you expect when your dog is in heat? Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions on dogs in heat.
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Final Words On The Female Dogs Reproductive Cycle
The whole process of managing a dog in heat may seem daunting at first, but its a totally normal and natural process of their lives. Consider spaying your dog and remember there are many health benefits and added advantages to having her fixed.
In addition to forgoing the whole maintenance process when your dog is in heat every six months or so, your spayed dog will have a longer lifespan. Take note of your dogs size and breed and remember that small breeds tend to start their heat earlier than large dogs.
As always, ask your vet what the best course of action is for your pup regarding spaying or your dogs heat cycle.
At What Stage Of The Estrus Cycle Is The Dog Able To Pregnant
The female dog usually ovulates at the time where the vaginal discharge becomes watery this marks her most fertile stage and is the time where she will be most receptive to breeding. However, sperm can survive for 1 week and be capable of fertilizing the eggs, so it’s possible for her to get pregnant while she is in estrus.
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Keeping Your In Season Dog Off The Carpets And Furniture
If your girl is bleeding heavily you may need to keep her off any carpeted floors for the next few weeks.
You can protect your furniture with washable throws* if she regularly sleeps on chairs or the sofa.
You might want to get her used to spending time in just these other rooms before the season arrives.
That way you wont have the trouble of adjusting her habits instantly the moment she is on heat.
If your Labrador is used to a crate this can be a big help for short periods of time if you need to have doors open to carpeted rooms.
Alternatively if you want your Labrador to join you in the living room during the evening but dont want her on the furniture.
If your Lab travels in the back of the car you will probably want to invest in some car seat covers* too.
What To Do When Your Bitch Comes Into Season
Some bitches will cease bleeding when proestrus ends, others will continue to produce a bloody discharge throughout the full oestrus period. Every bitch is different, but in general standing heat is from 7-10 days after the start of bleeding, and lasts for 7-10 days.
Understanding your pups cycle is incredibly important as is making an informed decision about whether you intend to allow your pooch to breed. However, regardless of your intention during the first season it is advisable to avoid breeding. Your bitch will not yet be fully grown or developed and therefore at a higher risk of dystocia . They are also less likely to be attentive mothers.
If your bitch has caught you by surprise by coming into season earlier than expected, and you have already decided against breeding from her, it is wise to speak with your vet about the earliest date that the vet will be comfortable performing the sterilisation surgery and make an appointment to have it done as soon as possible. Most vets in the UK will not be comfortable with the increased risk associated with spaying a bitch whilst she is in oestrus and will usually recommend that the surgery is done 6-12 weeks after the bleeding stops, as this will be in the middle of her next reproductive cycle.
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Frequently Asked Questions Dog
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture Animal Population Control Program provides benefits for municipal pound pets, feral cats, non-profit organizations and for pets owned by low income Connecticut residents. Please visit State of CT Animal Population Control Program to see if you qualify.
Q: What is Spaying / Neutering?A: Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures performed by veterinarians that render dogs incapable of breeding by removing their reproductive organs. When a female dog is spayed the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus are removed. When a male dog is neutered, the testicles are removed from the scrotal sack.
Q: Why should I have my dog spayed or neutered?A: Shelter euthanasia is the number one killer of companion animals. Spaying and neutering is the only way to reduce or eliminate that.Its also better for your pets health. Dogs can get all of the same types of reproductive cancers that humans can get. Female dogs can also get a serious uterine infection called pyometra.
Q: Should I let my dog have a heat before I spay her?A: Medically, its better to spay your dog before her first heat. It greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. People who wait to spay their dogs until after their second heat greatly increase the risk of mammary tumors in their pets. Once theyve had several heats, intact female dogs have a one out of four chance of developing mammary tumors.
Do Dogs Go Through Menopause
In short, dogs do not go through menopause. Because their reproductive cycles are different than in humans, dogs can continue to go into heat and subsequently become pregnant throughout their lives.
You may notice, however, that your dogs cycle may occur less often, or the duration seems longer from one heat to the next. Thats normal in dogs as they age however, dogs that have ceased having cycles altogether should be examined by a veterinarian, as this can signal an underlying health condition or metabolic disease process.
But just because dogs can get pregnant as seniors doesnt mean they should. Litters tend to be smaller, there may be more puppy deaths, and labor may be more difficult if carried to term. Moreover, females that get pregnant after 8 years of age are more at risk of developing pyometra, which is a life-threatening disease.
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How To Care For Your Dog In Season At Home
If you do not have any intact male dogs in the house, you should not have to change your girls living arrangements too much.
She should be expected to behave as normal.
That being said, she might need extra toilet breaks as she will want to urinate more often.
Occasionally a normally clean Labrador will wee in the house when she is on heat, even though she is fine the rest of the time.
Despite our best hopes, some of our Labrador ladies simply are not interested in keeping themselves clean. Some can be quite messy
Without a doubt, its important to keep your dog out of the reach of good furniture .
However, she shouldnt feel as though she is being punished for doing something wrong. Make sure she still gets the quality time with you she deserves.
Dog Heat Pants: Where Do They Help
Female dogs are, similar to humans, very neat during the heat period. Still, this behavior can also vary from dog to dog.
Good to know: Some dogs will clean themselves very meticulously, while others can be very neglectful. In the same way, the intensity of their bleeding can vary.
There are special dog heat pants, which catch the menstruation of your female dog. Of course, you need to give your dog time to get used to this first. You could start preparing your dog for the new clothing item, before the period kicks in.
The dog heat pants donât protect your female dog from the mating act!
Pay attention: Many dog males are very creative during this hormone explosion period and manage to mate with female dogs despite the dog heat pants.
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When Should I Have My Dog Spayed
The right time to spay your dog is mid-way between cycles, once she is mature, and once you are fully aware of the risks and benefits of neutering.
We know a lot more about the effects of neutering on dogs than we once did.
There are numerous health benefits to having your dog spayed. For example, spayed dogs are at a greatly reduced risk of mammary cancer.
However, we now know that neutering is not always in the best interests of every dog.
So you need to weigh up the pros and cons, which will depend on your individual situation.
Your pup can be spayed from 2 months of age. It is best to consult with a vet to determine the best time for your girl.
You can find out more in this article: Should I neuter my dog the latest evidence.
What Do I Need To Do When My Dog Is In Heat
Avoid introducing your dog to other dogs while she is in heat. Pheromones are very powerful during the estrus stage pheromones can be smelled by other dogs from miles away. During this time your dog is essentially like a sexual magnet.
A male dog tempted by her pheromones will try to mount your dog while in estrus, so you should keep them away from male dogs during this time. An un-neutered dog can get your dog pregnant while in heat.
Other steps to take in order to avoid unwanted pregnancy include strict leash walks and supervision while in the yard. You dont want your pup to get caught up with a male dog while off-leash, so it is best to avoid the dog park in particular.
There will be some bloody discharge and your dog will likely groom herself during this time . Many dog parents choose to use doggie underwear or dog diapers in order to avoid stains around the house and make clean-up a little easier.
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How To Stop Crotch Sniffing
Now we have a better idea of why dogs can sense womens periods, you might want some tips on how to stop this unwanted behavior. Ive scoured the web looking for the best advice from dog trainers.
Heres a short synopsis of what they say you should do if your dog is trying to smell your period and nothing else will work:
If your dog is trying to smell the crotch and period of guests in your home, they wont have been able to master this training yet. Ask them instead to use their hand to gently palm the dogs nose away from their crotch.
You should then step in and distract the dog with something more interesting.
How To Help A Dog In Heat
The most important thing to remember when a female dog is in heat is that if she is around an unfixed male dog, she can get pregnant. She wants to breed, and she might be grouchy. So how can you help your dog in heat? Use these tips:
- Make sure she is kept in a secure enclosure or house, separate from other dogs. Contact with unneutered male dogs can lead to unwanted pregnancy, and even contact with spayed or neutered dogs can result in hormone-related aggression.
- Use doggie diapers to keep messes to a minimum, and give her what she wants, whether it is attention or space.
- Make sure she has her own food bowl, water bowl and bedding in her space.
- If you intend to breed her, then this is the time. Talk with your veterinarian about best practices for breeding.
- If you plan to spay your dog, wait until one month after her heat cycle ends.
With proper attention and tools, your dogs heat cycle can be easy to manage. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice that your dogs heat cycle is irregular, if there is extended bleeding or discharge, if you think your dog might be pregnant, or if your dogs behavior becomes abnormal.
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