Gracie just experienced her first 'heat' cycle.
We haven't had her spayed yet because we are considering breeding her once, my daughter and son both want puppies from her and I would not mind having another one myself. The decision isn't made yet, but we don't want to have her spayed until we know for sure.
Of course, the first time she comes in heat is the first time we have to board her - we had concert tickets for several months and although I was very hesitant about leaving her at a kennel, they assured me that she would be isolated once I told them she was in heat.
Well, she and Pedro (neutered) were placed in a kennel together to help keep down their anxiety. The kennel was set up well, there was plywood well fitted on both sides to prevent access to her. She was not taken outside supposedly.
She continued spotting for a few days after we got her home, but now (3 weeks later), her little breasts are a bit swollen, and I swear she's slowly gaining weight. Is this normal after the first heat?
I've raised large dogs before, but this isn't something I ever noticed with them.
Am I overreacting to a situation that had me worried to start with?
No tenderness, or anything to indicate mastitis or anything like that. She's acting normal, very playful and slowly returning to her old self.
We haven't had her spayed yet because we are considering breeding her once, my daughter and son both want puppies from her and I would not mind having another one myself. The decision isn't made yet, but we don't want to have her spayed until we know for sure.
Of course, the first time she comes in heat is the first time we have to board her - we had concert tickets for several months and although I was very hesitant about leaving her at a kennel, they assured me that she would be isolated once I told them she was in heat.
Well, she and Pedro (neutered) were placed in a kennel together to help keep down their anxiety. The kennel was set up well, there was plywood well fitted on both sides to prevent access to her. She was not taken outside supposedly.
She continued spotting for a few days after we got her home, but now (3 weeks later), her little breasts are a bit swollen, and I swear she's slowly gaining weight. Is this normal after the first heat?
I've raised large dogs before, but this isn't something I ever noticed with them.
Am I overreacting to a situation that had me worried to start with?
No tenderness, or anything to indicate mastitis or anything like that. She's acting normal, very playful and slowly returning to her old self.