False heat ?

[ktn67]

Okay, this is for all the breeders out there. I've had intacted bitches before but never run into this. I'm anxiously awaiting Jewellee's first heat and this is the second time it has looked like she's about ready to start. Her backside is all puffy, our other dog is sniffing her alot, and last night it looked like there might have been some dried blood but I'm not sure. Is it always really obvious when they bleed or do they sometimes bleed so little or keep themsleves so clean that it's hard to tell? I'm only letting her out with supervision and keeping her on lead just in case, but I'd like to know if this is IT or not!

Thanks

[JulieM]

There is such a thing as a "silent" heat where there is little or no bleeding. It's been discussed on the forums before, so you might want to do a search (I don't have my book here for reference or I'd post a bit more about it!)

Boxer bitches also tend to keep themselves very clean, so sometimes it's hard to see the very early signs. What you can do is, after she comes in from pottying, press a white tissue to her vulva and see if there is any colored discharge. Start counting when it is red (sometimes it is a little pink-ish, a watermelon color, but generally day 1 is considered the first day of blood-red). Also, the vulva will continue to enlarge until it is very obviously swollen (like, you can tell from 20 paces that she's in season!). My bitch gets puffy sometimes, and I think she's coming in, and then nothing happens for months. When she finally does come in, I wonder how I could have thought that little bit of puffiness was anything like the swelling she has when she's in

[ktn67]

Thank you Julie! I knew I could count on you for an answer. We will do the "tissue test" this evening after work! I guess I may be an over anxious mommy but better safe than sorry!