NTTGP related: Help please! Rescued a dog and now she's in heat

ToryKate · July 2014

Hello! I picked up a rescue dog to foster this morning. The rescue REALLY needed someone to take her, and my little male dog gets along fine with females so I went to pick her up. Well when I was picking her up we noticed her bedding had blood stains, she is in heat! I have only had a fixed dogs so I am at a loss. She was badly abused by a woman, but thankfully she is really warming up to me. I was able to put her diaper on her within the first half hour of getting her home. So, my question is, any of you out there who have been through a dog in heat, what should I do? Keep her diapered indoors and take it off when we go on walks, right? How long does the bleeding last? I am supposed to call my vet and book an appointment for her to get fixed for 2 weeks after the bleeding stops. Another thing is she has an interesting smell, is this from the heat?

Thank you for any advice or help

Here is a picture of her laying by my feet as I type this. I just turned around a saw her

I seriously cant believe she was so badly abused! From the second she walked through the door to my house she was a different dog.

CrazyCupcake52 · July 2014

Sorry, but I have no experience with dogs in heat, we had ours spayed at a young age.

Just wanted to say she is super cute and I hope she adjusts well to her new home!

ToryKate · July 2014

CrazyCupcake52 said:

Sorry, but I have no experience with dogs in heat, we had ours spayed at a young age.

Just wanted to say she is super cute and I hope she adjusts well to her new home!

Thank you

She is really sweet. I took both on a walk already and they did really well. My boy is 10 so having a one year old puppy is an adjustment for him, but he is a trooper.

Bee1112 · July 2014

I have no experience but what you are doing is awesome. She is super cute!

KatzKiss · July 2014

Aw. She's a sweetie! Can you ask the vet when you call to make an appointment. I've never had an unfixed dog but I do know that they smell when they are in heat. That us what attracts the male dogs to her. Obviously, be careful to keep her away from other dogs unless you want pups!

MrsDee1982 · July 2014

1st - she's a doll! So cute!

2nd - there is a special place in hell for people who abuse animals

3rd - people who rescue abused/mistreated animals are heroes in my eyes

4th - I would say call the rescue you got her from. I'm certain they've dealt with animals in heat before. They would probably have lots of great advice and resources.

Good luck!

ToryKate · July 2014

KatzKiss said:

Aw. She's a sweetie! Can you ask the vet when you call to make an appointment. I've never had an unfixed dog but I do know that they smell when they are in heat. That us what attracts the male dogs to her. Obviously, be careful to keep her away from other dogs unless you want pups!

--stuck--
When I talked to the vet they said they prefer not to spay when they are in heat because everything is swollen, so it increases bleeding and chances for complications. I am sure I can find a vet to do it, but knowing that I dont know if I would feel comfortable. I guess we be lighting lots of candles for the next few weeks it will be over soon enough and its not like she can help it.

And I think I would be fired from my volunteer position at the rescue of she got knocked up on my watch

kelley72 · July 2014

So hats off to you for taking her in! She is cute. I wouldn't take her on a walk, and second calling vet/rescue organization for their advice.

cdubs85 · July 2014

We just had our female spayed this week. She's an outdoor dog and it was her first heat and they were able to spay her during the heat, they just charged us an extra $10 dollars. I don't know much about it and cant be of much help. I did want to say thank you for fostering dogs, you are a hero!

SpartanChick88 · July 2014

Aww.. sweet pup! Kudos to you for taking her in. Good recs from PPs and I have nothing to add - good luck!

KatzKiss · July 2014

ToryKate said:

KatzKiss said:

Aw. She's a sweetie! Can you ask the vet when you call to make an appointment. I've never had an unfixed dog but I do know that they smell when they are in heat. That us what attracts the male dogs to her. Obviously, be careful to keep her away from other dogs unless you want pups!

--stuck--
When I talked to the vet they said they prefer not to spay when they are in heat because everything is swollen, so it increases bleeding and chances for complications. I am sure I can find a vet to do it, but knowing that I dont know if I would feel comfortable. I guess we be lighting lots of candles for the next few weeks it will be over soon enough and its not like she can help it.

And I think I would be fired from my volunteer position at the rescue of she got knocked up on my watch

Oh no. I didn't mean ask for her to be fixed sooner. I just meant they could give you some advice in general. I think you're stuck with the smell though. Stock up on candles and Febreeze! Good luck! I have a formerly abused rescue as well and he's an angel. What you're doing is great!

ETA: Ask them for resources on dealing with abused dogs. She might have some special needs or funny quirks. We can't be near our dog when he eats because he had to fight for his food and his brothers and sisters would attack him to get to the food bowl.

FitMom3510 · July 2014

I have had a dog go through heat twice and each time it ended in a litter so I will give advice on what no to do haha. We never used a diaper so it's good that you are, she was too tiny it would just sag down and not cover her and she was never a heavy bleeder so it never got anywhere but bigger dogs it will make a huge difference. W

hen you let her out just keep an eye on the male because he obviously won't want to stay away and if they end up having sex they will get stuck together for a little bit becuase the male dogs have barb type things that release to hold the female to him to help with creating puppies. If this happens don't pull them apart just let them be and it will release on it's own, you can hurt them if you try pulling apart.

Normally our dog would be in heat 5-7 days and it would happen twice a year. As far as the smell goes I never noticed when she was but our dog was a lot smaller, has she had a bath lately?

Also, awesome job taking her in, she is so cute!!

littlewest1 · July 2014

No advice but wanted to say thanks for taking her in, she's a cutie! Good luck!!

What's her name?

ToryKate · July 2014

Thank you all for your advice!! The rescue was surprised when I went to pick her up and they saw the blood in the bedding. They basically asked if I still wanted to take her. I think I will call them and find a vet that they recommend and see if they will do it while she is in heat. If they can do it next week that would be awesome.

Thank you all

I haven't had a new dog in 10 years and I forgot about all of these growing pains.

She leaned against my leg and fell asleep when I was petting her. I seriously wouldn't believe she was abused if I didn't hear it from the rescue and see how skittish she was there.

ToryKate · July 2014

littlewest1 said:

No advice but wanted to say thanks for taking her in, she's a cutie! Good luck!!

What's her name?

The rescue was calling her brooklyn, but she never responded to it. She was not doing well there, very jittery and scared, hanging out in the corners avoiding everyone. H wants to call her Coco, so I have been calling her Coco, Cokes, Coco Bean, she comes to all of it. My boy is Martini, Teen-teen, Neeners, and/or Tini. Basically my animals just have to know to come to my voice

H is better at calling them by a consistent name.

KatzKiss · July 2014

I would wait on the surgery until she's finished. It shouldn't take long and not worth the risk of complications.

kelley72 · July 2014

I think Coco Bean is adorable! I love nicknames for pets! My Apollo is frequently PoPo or Policans... Venus has transformed to veenie.

StikierIten · July 2014

Oh she's a cutie! I never understood how people are averse to adopting black dogs. And I bet she is so happy to have someone to love on her right now.
People who foster/rescue are my heros. Without them so many animals wouldn't get a home. You go!

divinemsbee · July 2014

I've never dealt with a dog in heat, but I did want to say that she is adorable! I want to foster dogs so badly, but we don't have a fenced yard yet, but hopefully by the end of this summer we'll be able to do it.

MrsMCBMar2014 · July 2014

Lurking from J15 - I have a female dog that isn't spayed yet. She had her first heat in February so she is due sometime soon (probably august). I haven't gotten her fixed yet but they say that the bleeding can last up to 28 days. Just continue with the diapers - making sure she does get some 'anti-diaper' time as they can develop a rash, kind of like diaper rash. Also, be sure to wash the diaper EOD and when any 'leaks' happen. That way the smell goes down. After she's done her cycle, give her a bath and wash (gently) down there. That will help some of the smell that happens afterwards.

Definitely call a vet and see when they can do it. I plan to call our 'planned pethood' to see when they can spay my girl because while I didn't mind having to deal with the diapers and smell, now that I'm pregnant I'm not sure how I'll react to the smell.

Good luck!

LisaG09 · July 2014

My vet won't spay during a heat cycle. They say that it's super dangerous and that it can cause the dog to die from complications. My Great Dane isn't spayed because the procedure is risky for her breed. We got her when she was about seven months and she had always lived outside before. When she was about eleven months old, she came into heat and we put her in a kennel to wait the heat out. It was set up specially for dogs in heat. I walked her every day and spent time with her but she lived in the kennel for about three weeks. It was hard for everyone but everything is fine now. I'm not sure if this would be good for a dog that had trouble in the kennel she was in. Good luck, she's adorable.

littlewest1 · July 2014

Awe, I like Coco!!

ToryKate · July 2014

Thank you again everyone

The rescue is amazing, but like most rescues they are sorely understaffed. It is amazing to get so many responses and advice! We switched out the diaper and she is getting used to it. She met my husband and likes him

She was scared of him at first but the 4 of us went on a walk together and he held her leash, by the end of the walk she was letting him pet her and now that we are home she is fine with him. She prefers me though, I dont really mind

dmsmth · July 2014

Yes, use a diaper or you can get a cloth diaper plastic cover some undies and a womans af pad. (Just cut a hole for the tail

)

I think the bleeding lasts about a week. Male dogs can smell a female in heat for miles so absolutely do not leave her outside w/o supervision at all.

Wine&Cupcakes · July 2014

Props for helping this sweet, sweet girl!!! I'm happy to hear she will live out her days in a loving home!

MrsMCBMar2014 · July 2014

LisaG09 said:

My vet won't spay during a heat cycle. They say that it's super dangerous and that it can cause the dog to die from complications. My Great Dane isn't spayed because the procedure is risky for her breed. We got her when she was about seven months and she had always lived outside before. When she was about eleven months old, she came into heat and we put her in a kennel to wait the heat out. It was set up specially for dogs in heat. I walked her every day and spent time with her but she lived in the kennel for about three weeks. It was hard for everyone but everything is fine now. I'm not sure if this would be good for a dog that had trouble in the kennel she was in. Good luck, she's adorable.

@LisaG09 - We have a male Great Dane and never have we been told that spaying/neutering would be risky for the breed. They just said to wait until after they were a year and change old to do so as to not affect the growth plate. Our GD is now 3 years old...he's been fixed and we never had any issues. I'm not sure where the information you got comes from but I would say you might want to check with the vet or others that have GD's to see. We did A LOT of research prior to neutering our boy and just waited until it was "OK" growth wise.

3houlagirl · July 2014

We have five rescues, and just adopted our foster out (to my mom; ha!). Our newest addition was abused in a previous home, but has really come around. Patience and time are all you need.

As far as the heat, PPs have given good advice. Don't take her anywhere where other digs can get to her. It's amazing how fast dogs can get knocked up...

Your little girl is TOO CUTE! I'd be in danger of foster failure with her!

RogueZymosis · July 2014

Was she temping? Even though she is in heat, could she be pregnant? Should she take a HPT?! And most importantly, is this thread better served in tww or WTO?

No advice about your situation. I'm surprised rescue didn't fix her already. Good luck!

LisaG09 · July 2014

@MrsMCBMar2014 Did you get his stomach tacked? I'm not sure it relates that much to male Great Danes but the way I understand it is that getting her spayed increases the risk of torsion. However, getting her stomach tacked seems to lead to high chances of serious stomach problems. I can't decide which is the lesser evil. I can decrease her risk of torsion, while increasing the chance that she will have to deal with serious stomach issues for the rest of her life or I can leave her stomach be and increase her chance of torsion by getting her spayed. At the moment, I'm paralyzed with indecision! I've called three vets and all of their opinions were different.

I've tried googling it but that only leads me to horror stories about both options. I only know three Great Danes in real life. Her parents, which are not fixed or tacked. Her father is five and mother is going on eight. Both are very healthy. Another male who is not fixed about three and very healthy. Then I knew a female who was about eight who was fixed and recently died from torsion...I've never had a dog or cat that wasn't fixed before but if I got her fixed and something happened, I'd blame myself for...well, ever. I'm super open to advice from fellow Dane owners!

OP, this turned out super long and I totally didn't mean to hijack your thread! Sorry!

MrsMCBMar2014 · July 2014

LisaG09 said:

@MrsMCBMar2014 Did you get his stomach tacked? I'm not sure it relates that much to male Great Danes but the way I understand it is that getting her spayed increases the risk of torsion. However, getting her stomach tacked seems to lead to high chances of serious stomach problems. I can't decide which is the lesser evil. I can decrease her risk of torsion, while increasing the chance that she will have to deal with serious stomach issues for the rest of her life or I can leave her stomach be and increase her chance of torsion by getting her spayed. At the moment, I'm paralyzed with indecision! I've called three vets and all of their opinions were different.
I've tried googling it but that only leads me to horror stories about both options. I only know three Great Danes in real life. Her parents, which are not fixed or tacked. Her father is five and mother is going on eight. Both are very healthy. Another male who is not fixed about three and very healthy. Then I knew a female who was about eight who was fixed and recently died from torsion...I've never had a dog or cat that wasn't fixed before but if I got her fixed and something happened, I'd blame myself for...well, ever. I'm super open to advice from fellow Dane owners!
OP, this turned out super long and I totally didn't mean to hijack your thread! Sorry!

@LisaG09 - Bloat happens to all dogs with deep chests. You just have to take practices to possibly keep it from happening. Like making sure she rests for about an hour after eating, doesn't eat too quickly, raising her dish to eliminate some air from getting swallowed (it'll happen whether we raise it or not but raising it does help keep the chances slimmer), etc. We did not get his stomach tacked and even if we did, it would be too pricey to even do. With females, it's the same way - you don't have to get the stomach tacked unless you want to lessen the chances of bloat. It can still happen, but the tacking gives you that little bit more time to get her to the vet to have it flipped back. I would suggest you get your dog spayed. In the long run, not spaying can lead to uterine cancer and that's costly in and of itself. GD's don't have long lives as they are such big breeds. We have been told (and have read) that they can live to be 7 - 10 years old. However, they can have hip problems, etc. If you'd like to discuss it more, feel free to PM me as I don't frequent the TTGP board often. I just so happened to see your response and felt the need to say something.

OP sorry for hijacking your post!!!

URMySunshine77 · July 2014

I just want to jump in and say that it's awesome that your fostering! I would love to foster, but DS is too young and grabby right now.

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NTTGP related: Help please! Rescued a dog and now she's in heat

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