Normally, a female dog that has not been spayed usually becomes on heat twice a year or in every 6 to 7 months. The dog heat cycle may start at different ages of the different breed of dogs. This variation also affects their durations of the heat cycle. There are four main stages of dog heat cycle, otherwise known as canine estrus cycle. These stages are proestrus, estrus, metestrus also known as diestrus and finally the anestrus stage.

1. Proestrus. This stage is characterized mainly by females being more attractive to males, the unwillingness of the female to mate as well as vaginal discharge. The length of the initial stage is 4to 20 days.

2. Estrus. The second stage is where the mating usually occurs. Other features of the phase are yellowish vaginal discharge and swollen vulva. Pregnancy may occur at this stage and can even occur from mixed litters. This phase usually last for 5 to 13 days.

3. Diestrus/ Metestrus. This is the phase after mating and if pregnancy has occurred, it last for 60 to 64 days. This is where the dog goes out of heat and usually keeps away from the males.

4. Anestrus. At this final stage, the dog undoes a period of sexual as well as hormonal inactivity. The stage takes about 2 to 3 months.

By the age of 6-12 months, the initial estrus cycle may occur. However for large breeds of dogs, the cycle may not occur until the age of 14 months or older. Smaller breeds may taker less time as they can have their first cycles as early as 5 months of age. Variation of periods of dog heat may also occur for dogs of the same breed. Bleeding occurs only when the female dog is receptive to the male despite the male being very attracted to the female during the proestrus phase. Spaying dogs eliminates the risk of accidental pregnancy.

You can also My post about Dog Heat

 

hi my name is kelly i bine loolking for a male ferret for a log time pls call me back at (289-780-4456) or Emailme at [email protected]

Try a different style nipple, either on a bottle or a bayonet syringe.  There is a nipple, typically on an "English style" glass bottle that looks like a "droopy nipple". Some kittens find this more natural. Make sure you have a decent hole in the nipple. Simple pressure on the milk should cause the milk to drip or squirt out of the nipple.  I use a needle heated by a gas stove flame to poke holes into the nipple. New nipples do not have holes in them.   In a pinch, you can tube feed.  These are narrow soft plastic tubes designed to go down the throat directly into the kittens stomach.  Count down to the 5th rib on the kitten. Mark this distance on the tube feeder and mark with a sharpie, tape, etc.  Draw warm milk into bayonet syringe, discharge until no air comes out, just milk.  Use KMR mother replacement milk or goats milk. DO NOT use cows milk, as the kittens will likely get severe diarrhea.  There are charts indicating how much to feed and how often depending on kitten's wt.  Discharge slowly the amount of milk for the kitten.  Most pet shops carry these tube feeders. Make sure you get one for kittens and not puppies since the puppy ones are much fatter.  Be careful placing tube into stomach.  If you push the milk and see it come out the nose, remove and reinsert. You likely are not in the stomach.  Use a finger for the kittens to grab onto with their front feet. They'll feel much more comfortable.  Keep warm if at all possible.  Use a small heating pad, insulated with a couple layers of towels and partially cover the container that houses the kittens.  Body warmth is important so they don't go into shock. BTW, I've raised Ragdoll cats since 1977, so I have a lot of expereince.  DAVE

AKC female, 3 years old. All white w/ brindle patches. Unaltered. Excellent health! Approx. 70 lbs. She gets along great with other dogs. Kennel trained, house dog. Has had one litter of 9 puppies (AI/c-section). $2500 Price is FIRM! I have pictures available through email or texting. Michele

Hi, just found this board and wanted to say hello. I share my life with 2 guinea pigs (Anais aka Annie and Sophia aka Sophie) and 6 gerbils ( I had more but had a few pass away). I do love all animals but live in a small apartment so rodents are really my only option right now. I am thinking of getting some rats but not sure about that one yet. I will hopefully get a digital camera one of these days and post some pics. have a great weekend