In heat or not in heat

Question
QUESTION: Hello I have a boxer that I am planning to breed. I belive that she is starting to come into heat I have not noticed any blood yet. But she was swelled up a little and I had taken her to the breeders and the stud that we picked out is not that interested. The swelling has seemed to go down and there is still no sign of any blood yet but she still is kinda puffy. The stud sniffs and follows her a little but never tried to mount her yet. I brought her back home and I am not sure if she is just going into heat or if she if this is a false heat? She has a few of the signs thats she is ready but the swelling is not & has not been alot like I have seen in the past. This is her 2nd heat. I hope that you can help. I was not sure if this could be a split heat or not. Thanks


Estrus Test Kit   ANSWER: Hi Crystal.  The normal heat cycle in dogs lasts approximately 21 days as follows:  Days 1 - 7, the vaginal area swells and bleeding usually occurs.  I'm not sure how long it has been since you noticed the swelling, but in some cases it can be 3 - 4 days before the bleeding starts.  Also, some dogs are very neat and will clean himself making it harder to detect the bleeding.

Days 7 - 14, is when the female is considered to be in Estrus.  This is the phase where males will me more interested, and when the female will normally allow mating to occur.  In the days prior to Estrus, the female usually will not allow the male to mate, and will actually bite him if he advances.

Days 14 - 21, there is normally no outward signs, but this is the time the embryos are forming, if successful mating occurred.

There are Estrus test kits you can purchase online.  These kits contain strips that have a chemical reaction to the hormones produced by female dogs that are in Estrus.  The place I purchase mine is called Revival Animal Health, here is a link to their website
 
http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/2543-Estrus-Test-Strips.aspx

Is the male, you picked out, seasoned, or is this his first attempts of mating?  If he has never mated before, he might be a little unsure of what is expected.  Sometimes if a inexperienced male attempts to mate with a female that is not in Estrus, and the female rejects him, he might be a little insecure and less willing to try again.

If you find that your female is in Estrus, and the male you picked out is still not responding, you might consider artificial insemination.  There are Artificial Insemination kits available to purchase online, or if you prefer, most vets can assist with this procedure.

Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: yes the stud that I picked for her is proven. I just don't understand she was swelled for about 2 weeks but never fully swelled to the point where she looks like she has a soft ball there. And I had never seen any blood at all.Now all of the swelling is gone she is still a little puffly. It had seened like she was going to start to go into heat and then stoped. Any ideas as to what may have caused this?

ANSWER: How long has it been since her last heat?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I belive that the old owner said that it was the end of July was when she was in heat last. This is her 1st heat that I have had her.Every other female that I have breed has swelled up so much that you can't miss it. Not this girl Just swelled alittle bit for abt 2 weeks and now no swelling just puffy

Answer
Possibly the swelling is not due to a heat cycle, but instead an infection?

Has she had any other symptoms such as, lack of energy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite?  If so, I suggest that you have your vet take a blood sample.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com