Bella's in season - advice would be appreciated!

#1 08-03-10, 09:40 PM

Hi everyone,

Bella is 8 months old and started bleeding 9 days ago. She is very lethargic, which I know is normal, but over the past couple of days she seems to have lost interest in her food - even her dentistix, which she normally loves. Tonight she took it but then tried to "bury" it in her bed! She has also dry-retched a couple of times today (Monday) and had runny poo on Saturday - but I think this is related to something she found and ate in the garden (I spotted her munching away on something but didn't get to her in time.)

I'm so worried about her but everyone is telling me it's all normal. Bella is my first dog and although I've read all the books, I'm still a bit paranoid that I'm doing something wrong!

Can anyone tell me if their experience of their female gsd's first season was similar to this? Thanks x

(PS We will be getting her spayed once her season is over.)

kita · #2 08-03-10, 09:54 PM

I would pop her into the vet (maybe tomorrow). Explain your fears to the person you make the appointment with and stress that you would prefer an appointment asap.

They can get a bit funny over their first season (they don't know what is happening) BUT - don't take this wrong and worry yourself sick - there is a condition called pyometra that can sometimes affect them, when the womb fills up with pus. This can cause them to feel sick and if they go into shock can be life threatening. There are two types one gives a discharge (called open pyo.), the other is called a 'closed pyo.' where there is no discharge. The second one is the most dangerous.

If she starts to get really depressed and/or shaky and really 'ill' looking then get her to the vet as soon as possible as a 'closed pyo.' is a real emergency. Also if she refuses water and starts throwing up a lot then get her to the vet.

She is probably just feeling a bit odd but it is not worth taking a chance.

Sue

Billy Sitch · #3 08-03-10, 10:01 PM

Was she OK until she ate something in the garden and is she drinking and keeping that down? What have her poo's been like since Saturday?

If she hasn't eaten at all then I would phone your vet and get their opinion, just to be on the safe side.

kita · #4 08-03-10, 10:01 PM

What are the clinical signs of a dog with pyometra?

The clinical signs depend on whether or not the cervix is open. If it is open, pus will drain from the uterus through the vagina to the outside. It is often noted on the hair under the tail or on bedding and furniture where the dog has laid. Fever, lethargy, anorexia, and depression may be present.

If the cervix is closed, pus that forms is not able to drain to the outside. It collects in the uterus causing distension of the abdomen. The bacteria release toxins which are absorbed into the circulation. Bitches with A closed pyometra often become severely ill very rapidly. They are anorectic, very listless, and very depressed. Vomiting or diarrhoea may be present.

Toxins from the bacteria affect the kidney's ability to retain fluid. Increased urine production occurs, and the dog drinks an excess of water. This occurs in both open- and closed-cervix pyometra.

#5 08-03-10, 10:18 PM

Oh my goodness - thank you very much for your replies, I'll be keeping an even closer eye on her now, and I will phone our vet in the morning for advice. I hadn't heard of pyometra.

She was okay-ish until she ate whatever was in the garden - just quiet and not quite herself, which could be atrributed to being in season. Her poo on Saturday evening was pretty bad, but yesterday's and today's movements seemed okay.

She is still drinking water and keeping it down, and she has eaten a bit - I would say she's had about half her normal food intake today as she's been nibbling at her dry food. And, shortly after I wrote the first post, I heard her eating her dentistix. She must have "dug it up"!

Thanks again - I really appreciate you both taking the time to answer.

kita · #6 08-03-10, 10:38 PM

She will probably be fine and it is probably her just eating something dodgy and feeling the effects of her first season. A chat with the vet will put your mind at rest though.

Hope I did not alarm you too much - but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Lots of people don't know about pyometra - I did not until one of my bitches had an 'open' one. She was aged 8 and after a course of antibiotics to cure it she had to be spayed as it often reoccurs. When I read up on it I realised I was lucky that it was an open one as the closed pyo. comes on really fast and is a medical emergency.

I would definately have bitches spayed now if I was not going to breed from them - if only to prevent that condition.

Sue

joyce · #7 08-03-10, 10:42 PM

If a female is mated and pregnancy results all is ok, The danger time is 1 to 2 months after a season that is the danger time for a pyo

kita · #8 08-03-10, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyce

If a female is mated and pregnancy results all is ok, The danger time is 1 to 2 months after a season that is the danger time for a pyo

I agree - usually it is, but I have heard of bitches getting it just after their first season (days after the bleeding).

With something like pyo. it is not worth taking the risk, especially if people have never seen it before.

Sue

joyce · #9 08-03-10, 11:52 PM

Sue I have not heard that, but always believed it to be gradual build up

This is a cut and paste...it explains it better

Following season hormone levels remain elevated upto 10 weeks to prepare the uterus for, and maintain pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur the lining continues to increase in thickness until cysts form in the walls results in infection.

kita · #10 09-03-10, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyce

Sue I have not heard that, but always believed it to be gradual build up

This is a cut and paste...it explains it better

Following season hormone levels remain elevated upto 10 weeks to prepare the uterus for, and maintain pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur the lining continues to increase in thickness until cysts form in the walls results in infection.

Yes that is the 'normal' way of things - but you always get exceptions to the rules

I think as long as the cervix has been open (during a season) it can allow infection in (from outside).

There is a study here that mentions pyo. from the age of 4 months:

Clinical Presentation of Canine Pyometra and Mucometra

Sue