Can You Spay A Dog During The Estrus Cycle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Yes, veterinarians can spay dogs who are in the middle of their heat cycle

. However, the risk of complications is greater, meaning that not all veterinarians will be comfortable performing this procedure.

Can I spay my dog after her first heat?


Spaying after the first heat cycle but before the second also reduces the risk, but not by as much

. The first heat cycle generally occurs around 7 months for small dogs, and a little later in large breed dogs.

Can I have my dog spayed while she is in heat?

The Bottom Line


Spaying during the heat comes with considerable risk

. If possible, delay the spay until after the heat cycle is over. Spaying your dog 2-3 months after the heat will result in lower chance of bleeding, easier surgery plus reduced cost for you! Keep your female away from during her heat.

How do you know when a dogs Heat is over?

How long does a heat cycle or estrus last? Heat cycles vary, but average two to three weeks for most dogs. The heat cycle begins with the first signs of vulvar swelling or vaginal discharge. It ends when

all discharge ceases and the vulva has returned to its normal size

.

How do you stop a dog from bleeding in heat?

The bleeding can be controlled by

investing in some doggy diapers that your dog can wear while she is around the house

. If you can, keep her off the furniture, and perhaps leave her in a part of the house that has floors that are easy to clean, rather than carpet or rugs.

At what age is it too late to spay a dog?

As long as your pet is healthy,

there is no age limit

for spaying your dog. While the traditional age for spaying is six to nine months, dogs as young as five months can undergo the procedure. Even if there are some risks with senior dogs, the benefits still outweigh a few risks.

How long does a dog bleed while in heat?

The first signs your dog is in heat are the swelling of her vulva and bright red bloody discharge. “There will be lots of licking,” Nielsen says. A dog in heat can bleed for around

7 to 10 days

. During this first stage of the reproductive cycle, the female will not accept a male.

Is it best to spay after first heat?

A: Medically,

it's better to spay your dog before their first heat

. It greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. People who wait to spay their dogs until after their second heat greatly increase the risk of mammary tumors in their pets.

What happens if you spay a dog too early?

Spaying your dog too early can result in health problems later on since her hormones should have some time to work. Early spaying can

increase the risk of hip dysplasia, torn ligaments, bone cancer, and urinary incontinence

.

Should you spay after first heat?

In terms of benefits, early spaying (before 5 months) results in very low (0.05%) risk of mammary cancer, no risk of pregnancy, and no heat cycle bleeding.

Spaying before the first heat cycle results in an easier surgery with fewer potential for complications such as bleeding and pain.

Can a dog be in heat but not bleed?

You may think your dog is no longer in heat once she stops bleeding. However, that's not true.

Each heat cycle lasts three to four weeks, but bleeding is seen only during the first two weeks

. The most fertile period is when the bleeding lessens and becomes clear or pink.

What are the 4 stages of a dog in heat?

The canine estrous (reproductive) cycle is made up of 4 different stages. These are

proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus

.

How long after bleeding is a dog fertile?

After about

9-10 days

, the bleeding will become more watery, or stop. It is at this time your female will, most likely, be at her most fertile. This proestrus stage can last as long as 20 days in some dogs. So the end of bleeding can be a more useful indicator of peak fertility.

How much does it cost to get a dog spayed?

Clinic/Vet Base Price: Spay Spay, neuter, and vaccine clinic

$150–$240 (depending on weight)
Nonprofit veterinary clinic $50–$80 (depending on weight) SPCA/Humane Society Free Private animal hospital $320–$514 (depending on age and weight)

How do you mask the smell of a female dog in heat?


Try a little perfume

Widely available and easy to use, female dog in heat sprays such as ​scented sprays and essential oils​ can help mask your dog's odor during her time. Menthol spray for dogs in heat emits a strong odor which helps to disguise your dog's smell.

How do you stop a female dog from bleeding?


Spay is the Only Way

The only way to stop a dog's cycle is to spay her. If you are having a tough time dealing with the bleeding that comes with her cycle, you can find doggy diapers in your local pet store or online.

Is it OK to spay a 2 year old dog?

Since dogs can get cancer at any age, even senior dogs can benefit from a spaying procedure. As long as a dog doesn't have any health issues that would make it dangerous to use anesthesia or undergo a surgical procedure,

no dog is too old to be spayed

, says Chewy.

Is it OK to not spay my dog?

Research shows that

spay-neuter can increase the risk of joint disorders and certain cancers

. The likelihood of negative health outcomes varies widely between breeds and sexes.

How often do dogs go into heat?

Most dogs come into heat

twice per year, or about every six months

, although the interval can vary between breeds and from dog to dog. Small breed dogs may cycle three times per year, while giant breed dogs may only cycle once every 12 months.

Do dogs in heat smell?

You're not alone! But never fear,

this smell is perfectly natural for a female dog in the midst of her heat cycle

. While male dogs find the smell to be very alluring, it's not such a treat for their owners. Wondering what you can do to help mask it?

Why does it cost more to spay a dog in heat?

“Though the outcomes have ultimately not been scientifically proven to be different, many veterinarians will charge more to spay a dog in heat

due to the time and increased materials required for the procedure

,” she continues.

Can a dog bleed longer than 10 days?

Answer: A normal heat cycle in dogs typically lasts an average of 7 to 14 days.

If a female dog's bleeding goes on longer than that, then it is worthy of wondering whether something's going on

. At times, some dogs may develop ovarian cysts, and these may cause irregularities in a dog's heat cycle.

Why you should wait to spay your dog?

As we wait for a dog to reach skeletal maturity, she may go through her first estrus cycle. Then her risk for mammary cancer rises, and she must be kept away from intact male dogs so she isn't accidentally bred.

Waiting to spay also means the hassle of cleaning up after a dog in heat

.

What age should female dogs be spayed?

In general, the best age to spay your female dog is

about six months of age

. At this stage in their development, all of their organs have fully developed, so you won't have to worry about encountering any medical issues once the procedure is complete.

How long is the recovery for a spayed dog?

Most spay/neuter skin incisions are fully healed within about

10–14 days

, which coincides with the time that stitches or staples, if any, will need to be removed. Don't bathe your pet or let them swim until their stitches or staples have been removed and your veterinarian has cleared you to do so.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.