7 reasons why a dog is not in heat: which ones are dangerous?

Owners with female dogs should be prepared for the animal's natural periods of heat. This is one of the stages of the reproductive cycle, indicating that the dog is ready to reproduce. To protect her from unwanted pregnancy and various health problems, the owner needs to study the signs of estrus in dogs, its characteristics and the duration of the cycle.

In the article we will tell you what estrus is in dogs, what its stages are, when it starts for the first time and how it goes, the main symptoms, how many days it lasts, how often it happens, what the owner should do during this period, how to help the pet, is it possible to wash the dog During estrus, at what age does estrus stop completely.

The dog is in heat

Estrus (estrus, estrus) is a natural physiological process in the body of females that occurs with a certain frequency. It is a sign that a dog has a sexual cycle, puberty.

During this period of life, females experience sexual heat, respond adequately to males and are ready to mate on certain days. The production of sex hormones and germ cells increases. Due to a hormonal surge, the dog’s character, habits, and behavior change.

Advice! By recording the start and end dates of your dog's mating, you can not only track the cyclicity of the sexual cycle, but also understand at what period of estrus the female is ready for mating.

How many times a year should estrus occur?

The frequency is individual for each animal, but on average, estrus repeats every six months. Its frequency depends on living conditions and breed.

Pets living outside shed only in the summer. This is explained by the difficulty of bearing and feeding offspring in the cold season. This is why aboriginal dogs from the Far North experience only one heat per year.

Estrus phases in bitches and duration

The body of domestic dogs is structured differently. The female is ready for mating 2-3 times a year and can become pregnant during a certain period of estrus, which is why the reproductive cycle in females is called polycyclic, estrous. In males, the reproductive organs function year-round and males are ready for mating at any time of the year.

Estrus in female dogs lasts on average 20-22 days and has four phases (proestrus, estrus, metaestrus, anestrus). At the beginning of estrus, the dog develops light pink bloody discharge from the vagina, the loop swells, and behavior changes. The female marks her territory, attracting males, but can be aggressive and not allow individuals of the opposite sex to approach her for mating.

Successful mating can only occur from the 8th to the 13th day (estrus phase). Bitches flirt with male dogs, move their tail to the side, become affectionate, docile, but can be disobedient and run away from the owner. To avoid accidental mating during this estrus phase, walk your dog on a leash away from public dog walking areas.

During the period of metaestrus, processes in the dog’s body are restored. During this period, the female does not allow males to approach her.

There has been no heat for more than a year: what could be the reason?

If a pet has not been in heat for more than a year, then this almost always indicates quite serious pathologies:

• Ovarian cysts. They very often appear in animals whose owners, for one reason or another, constantly “suppressed” estrus with the help of “Sex Barriers” and similar hormonal drugs. We remind you once again that hormones are an unsafe thing, they should be prescribed and used exclusively as prescribed by a veterinarian! In addition, hormonal drugs that suppress the manifestations of sexual desire, with long-term use, significantly increase the risk of genital cancer.

• Oncology. As we just wrote, this is a common consequence of long-term use of hormonal drugs. In addition, cancer is a common problem in older dogs. By the way, the less often a bitch gives birth during reproductive age, the higher the risk of developing ovarian cancer (this does not apply to sterilized dogs).

• Chronic endometritis or even pyometra. However, in these cases, estrus sometimes occurs, but it is very sluggish and without obvious manifestations. You can easily guess that something is wrong by the presence of small amounts of dried exudate under the animal’s tail and at its resting place. In addition, in the presence of pyometra, in many cases there is a tendency to gradual bloating of the abdomen, and the general condition of the pet in this case significantly worsens.

Reasons for delayed first heat or its absence

The cycle of emptying in bitches is individual for each individual and can vary from 4-5 to 6-8 months. The frequency of estrus is determined by age, individual characteristics of the body, hormonal levels, and emotional and psychological state.

Reasons for lack of heat:

• poor living conditions;
• congenital anomalies;
• developmental disorder;
• unbalanced diet;
• chronic, acute diseases of the reproductive tract;
• endocrine disruptions (dysfunction of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland);
• benign, malignant oncological processes in the body (neoplasia);
• inflammatory processes in the uterus and other organs of the genitourinary system;
• disruptions in the functioning of the ovaries caused by various factors (hypofunction of the ovaries with congenital anostria);
• hormonal imbalance;
• malfunction of the adrenal glands;
• cystic formations in the ovaries;
• hypothermia of the body;
• age-related changes in the body;
• frequent stressful situations.

The absence of estrus in females and disruption of the reproductive cycle in dogs may be due to hermaphroditism. With this pathology, females have underdeveloped male gonads instead of ovaries.

The female body can “delay” the onset of estrus. A weakened, sick, exhausted dog, experiencing stress or experiencing increased physical activity cannot bear and give birth to healthy puppies.

Lack of normal lighting, sunlight, odors of other animals, and other factors can also affect the absence or delay of estrus in bitches.

Do I need to do anything?

If the bitch has not been in heat for more than 8 months in a row, and the time of her first menstruation is long past, contact your veterinarian. Most causes of anesthesia are quite dangerous, so you should not delay diagnosis and wait for complications to appear.

What conditions are dangerous?

The most dangerous pathologies include malignant tumors and inflammatory diseases caused by infection. The animal can die both from the disease itself and from accompanying complications.

The owner can independently cope with deficiency or excess body weight. To do this, you need to change your physical activity and daily caloric intake up or down. In other cases, it is better to consult a veterinarian.

The need to contact a veterinarian

To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound of the pelvic organs and undergo urine and blood tests, as well as a scraping smear from the cervix for cytology. Treatment options will depend on the cause:

1. Antibiotic therapy and douching. Used for mild forms of vaginitis, pyometra and endometritis.
2. Sedatives. Necessary for severe anxiety and stress. The dosage is selected individually, so you should not rely on the advice of friends before consulting a veterinarian.
3. Castration or partial excision of affected tissue. Surgery is used for advanced forms of diseases of the reproductive system, mastitis and oncology. With its help, abscess and metastasis can be prevented.
4. Taking a synthetic analogue of thyroxine, one of the thyroid hormones. It is the main drug for the treatment of hypothyroidism.

If the problem lies in taking hormonal drugs prescribed for the treatment of a concomitant disease, then they are changed to analogues or left. The second option is suitable when complications from the underlying pathology turn out to be more dangerous than the loss of a cycle.

Hidden, bloodless estrus

It also happens that in miniature breeds, estrus occurs hidden. There is such a thing as bloodless estrus. If the dog is clean, during estrus there is little discharge, the bitch takes care of herself and the owners do not notice that the pet is in heat and begin to panic.

Important! In most cases, the first heat in dogs is unnoticeable, which may be due to breed characteristics and genetics. In subacute cases, estrus in dogs cannot be detected without laboratory tests.

At certain periods of a dog's life, there are disruptions in the dog's estrous cycle. The intensity and color of the discharge may change. For example, a dog does not go into heat for a year, then several cycles of estrus proceed according to schedule, and again for a long period. This phenomenon is called “jumping anostria”, which does not pose any harm to the dog’s health.

First ovulation

For the first time, the time of sexual activity in a female occurs with the change of teeth to permanent ones. It is at this moment that the reproductive system is fully formed and ready for a trial run. This happens at the age of 6-10 months in small dogs and 6-12 months in large dogs. It will not be possible to guess the exact time, since this is an individual process, manifesting itself differently for everyone and with its own characteristics.

Quite often, owners do not notice the first empty spot at all, since it is much shorter in time than a full-fledged one, and with less pronounced symptoms. It is not difficult to miss the moment if the puppy is already naughty and loves to play with his brothers, and in addition is also clean enough to have time to lick off the discharge.

In most cases, this is not a problem, since fertilization at such a young age should not occur for the safety of the animal, although information about the first real ovulation is important for the menstrual calendar.

But remember, the first estrus is still full-fledged, therefore, if sexual intercourse occurs, then pregnancy may occur, which veterinarians advise to terminate at an early stage so as not to harm the mother’s growing body.

What to do if your dog is not in heat

Only a veterinarian can determine what led to the disruption of the reproductive cycle in a female after an examination and the necessary tests (blood biochemistry, hormone testing, serological, instrumental studies).

To stimulate the first estrus and resume the cycle of estrus, the veterinarian individually prescribes hormonal therapy to the animal (progesterone, estradiol, cortisol), symptomatic drugs to restore functional failures, normalize, and strengthen the body.

Consequences of lack of sexual hunting

In general, some owners are not particularly worried (sexual heat is also a test for the breeder’s nerves), but it is still necessary to take the dog to the veterinarian.

It is advisable to do this as quickly as possible, because the consequences of not hunting are very serious:

• As we said above, a long absence of sexual desire and, accordingly, pregnancy is an almost 100% guarantee of cancer or cystic lesions of the ovaries.
• Practice proves that with a long absence of estrus and pregnancy, the risk of developing chronic endometritis and pyometra also increases.

Taking action

If there is a deviation from the norm, the dog should be sent to the veterinarian. It is important to report every suspicious symptom. To ensure accurate information about your pet's condition, keep a diary. Fixed data will not have to be recalled, which will eliminate errors in generalizing symptoms. Reliable information will help the doctor prescribe treatment.

Only a healthy dog ​​is capable of producing strong offspring. If an animal has pathologies in the reproductive system, it is excluded from breeding. A puppy from a sick bitch will be born weak. For dogs that are not intended to breed, it is better to undergo surgery. Castration or sterilization can preserve the health of your pet, eliminate pregnancy and prevent diseases of the reproductive organs.

Care features

On the eve of the first estrus, the female may experience discharge from the loop, juvenile vaginitis containing a small amount of pus. There is no need to worry, this phenomenon is normal. Everything will return to normal as soon as the heat passes. If this does not happen, then it is worth undergoing an examination to identify various pathologies.

To make the estrus period more hygienic (especially for estrus in dogs kept in an apartment), you can purchase elastic panties for one-time use. They will prevent your dog from leaving bloody spots around the house. But still, you should not wear them all the time; veterinarians advise allowing the female to remove the discharge on her own by licking it.

During the first heat, the dog may not understand how to behave, so it is worth teaching it to remove spots. And to do this you need to remove carpets and rugs from the floor.

During the period of heat, the dog requires care:

• You should avoid long walks in winter to prevent your pet from catching a cold;
• There is no need to take her out to places where other dogs gather;
• Walks are strictly on a leash.

If suddenly it was not possible to prevent an unwanted mating, then it is forbidden to give the dog drugs to help terminate the pregnancy. This will cause significant health problems for the pet, which lead to infertility in the dog.

An important factor is keeping the dog during heat. If you do not plan to breed a dog and get puppies from her, at the first sign of estrus you need to start taking precautions:

• Keep a close eye on your dog while walking and avoid all contact with dogs of the opposite sex.
• Walk your dog on a short leash: even the most well-mannered and docile pet can run away during heat, not paying attention to any commands.
• Do not allow your dog to mate - it is impossible to separate the animals during intercourse.
• Do not take your dog while in heat to competitions or shows. This will cause anxiety among the male dogs present at the show. During heat, a dog does not respond well to commands and can be disobedient.

Cycle periods

The dog's cycle is divided into 4 periods: proetus, estrus, metestrus (diestrus) and anestrus.

Proestrus (beginning)

During this period, the animal’s body actively prepares for the conception of a new life. Follicles are actively maturing in the ovaries, and under the influence of hormones, the formation of the inner layer of the uterus occurs.

In the first phase, the dog attracts the opposite sex with a characteristic odor, but reacts extremely aggressively to male attempts to mate.

Important! Discharge is not the main sign, as some dogs experience so-called “dry” estrus, in which it is practically absent.

Estrus (hunting)

This is the optimal period for mating, as evidenced by the dog’s behavior. She happily responds to the advances of the opposite sex and takes a position convenient for mating when communicating with a potential partner.

Matestrus (completion)

The activity of hormones subsides, and the dog’s behavior gradually returns to normal.

The physiological manifestations of estrus go away, and the dog again begins to react negatively to advances from the opposite sex.

Important! During this period, diseases of the uterus most often worsen, and a “false pregnancy” may also occur.

Anestrus (rest)

The period of sexual rest is characterized by a general balance in the functioning of the body's systems, a low level of hormones responsible for the sexual sphere (progosterone and estradiol).

Unwanted dog pregnancy

An unwanted pregnancy in a dog can be a real shock for the owner. The problem most often arises due to the owner’s carelessness. Unwanted fertilization and pregnancy can be prevented only if you adhere to a number of rules:

• always keep your bitch on a leash while walking;
• avoid walking areas with male dogs (you can pick up a small bitch and carry it home, try to distract a larger one with treats and also leave the place);
• for a walk, wear sanitary underpants purchased at a pet store according to the size of the animal;
• keep the female in the enclosure if a male lives in the same territory.

Using hormone-based drugs to stop estrus is a big mistake, which can lead to dire consequences in the future.

Problems during heat

One of the most common problems faced by dog ​​owners is frequent urination immediately before the start of the emptying session. If the animal is not used to limiting itself, then it is recommended to increase the frequency of walks or transfer the pet to an enclosure where it will be alone.

The use of special panties and constant monitoring allows you to avoid unwanted pregnancy. If the dog stops obeying the owner and tries to escape during the walk, then the optimal solution would be to walk the animal on a leash during the off-leash period.

Some bitches may experience changes in the frequency of estrus, its intensity, or the appearance of uncharacteristic discharge. You should not try to figure out the problem yourself. You should seek help from a specialist who will identify the cause of this dog’s condition. It will also help correct the estrus cycle.

How to discourage male dogs during heat

It is not possible to completely discourage male dogs during the period of heat. But manufacturers offer a whole range of high-quality and effective sprays that will help partially eliminate the odor and reduce the number of males attracted.

The following products are available on the domestic market:

• Spray from ;
• “True Friend” - eliminates oestrus odor;
• Manufacturer Le Artis offers touch-me-not spray;
• From the domestic manufacturer Himol, you can find the drug “Antikobelin” on store shelves.

It’s worth noting right away that it will not be possible to completely remove the smell of a bitch and males will still pursue her when free-walking. But the aroma that attracts them will become significantly less and the likelihood of attracting animals from more distant territories will be much lower.

Changes in behavior with the onset of estrus

From the very first day - proestrus - females lose control over themselves. A calm and kind girl suddenly becomes uncontrollable, constantly tries to run away or shows aggression towards members of the household. In addition, changes in behavior with the onset of estrus are characterized by increased interest in the opposite sex. At the same time, the bitch can rush at females and behave aggressively, and when she sees a male dog she becomes energetic.

Appetite may change, either upward or vice versa. There is a frequent urge to urinate, associated with blood supply to the genital area. Disturbances in the functioning of the urinary system are almost always observed in females with the onset of estrus.