My 2 yr old Shitzu in heat

Question
QUESTION: Hi I have a female shitzu that I am concerned about. She just ended her cycle on December 12th is when the bleeding stopped. Then she had a light discharge which lasted a day or so. But then I noticed her mounting every fluffy stuffy thing she could find, when you touched her back she would move her tail off to the side. I am not looking to breed her yet and I keep her locked up unless to go potty and come in. But she got out the other night for maybe 10 minutes un supervised. But after bringing her inside I noticed blood drops on the floor. I just wiped her and although it looks like the swelling is going down she still has a darker pink bloody discharge. Any info would be great. She is still acting normal still very playful, loving and her appetite is the same. Thank you Nikki

ANSWER: Nikki-Just because the bleeding has stopped does not mean her heat cycle has ended.  The heat cycle actually last up to 21 days.  You will need to continue to supervise her.  Right now is actually when she is actually more prime for mating and conception when she is Flagging.  If you sent her out unsupervised and have any unneutered males in your neighborhood and she came back in dripping with blood you may want to keep an eye out that she does not end up pregnant.  You will watch for signs and want to take her to the vet to have it taken care of immediately since it was unplanned and you have no idea who she may have tied with.  Just make sure from now on you watch her and keep her inside or supervised until she is completely finished with her heat cycle.  Check back with me in another week or two.  Hope this helps

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QUESTION: Thank you, There are no other dogs in the neighborhood that are not fenced or leashed. So that is a good thing. But after reading some other questions and answers I did learn some new information but it is a little confusing. Does her vulva stay swelled for up to 21 days. Because when she stopped bleeding last week it went back to normal size. But he is extremely aggressive as to mounting and I noticed her cleaning herself much more than she her has and this is her 3rd heat. And she is definately flagging you pet her she throws her tail to the side and cocks her rear. And is it normal for a female to mount things? She has a teddy bear that she pushes under her and almost stands on only her back legs. I have never seen such a thing in a female. But thank you and I am definately going to keep her penned. Nikki

Answer
Yes, her vulva will stay swollen it will gradually go back down as her heat cycle ends.  It is normal for a female to mount other females or inanimate objects when in heat such as teddy bears, etc.  Also, with excessive heat cycles and not breeding her you increase her chances for ovarian, mammary cancer and other health problems so you need to make a decision and spay her for her health if she is going to be your pet.  Also, she may even go through a false pregnancy if her heat cycle is this crazy so watch for her to go through any signs of swelling teets etc (she will actually produce milk and everything) sounds like her desire is very strong with this heat to be breed so the possibility that you will encounter this can be there.