8 month Maltese

Question
My 8month old puppy is in heat and her vaginal area is swollen,why is that and how long will it last?

Answer
Hello Britanie, what I can tell you is that the vulva is usually 3 times it's normal size. If breeding is to occur this enlargement makes it easier for the male to penetrate.  Here is what you experience when a dog goes into heat.  You may notice a slight swelling of the vulva for approx. 3 days then bleeding for approx. 7 days,  she will stop bleeding and is able to get pregnant at this time for appox. 7 days and then it's another 7 days going out when the vulva will begin to go back to normal size.  So it's a 21 day cycle.  7 going in...7 in ... and 7 going out.  And in 6 months it will come again. I hope this helps. Thanks for asking, Cindy Lou :)