A female dog's heat cycle is a natural process that is necessary for reproduction. Dogs quickly realize when this time has come. During the "heat days," you should therefore be particularly careful if you do not want your female dog to have offspring from a male dog that has wandered into your yard. Conversely, if you want to breed, you need to observe your dog's cycle and take her to the chosen male dog at the right time.
A female dog may experience her first heat between six and eighteen months of age. This often occurs earlier in smaller breeds than in larger ones. Normally, female dogs go into heat twice a year. The heat lasts about three to four weeks. During this time, the female dog bleeds more or less heavily and goes through different phases: proestrus, estrus, and metestrus.
In the proestrus, the vulva may already be swollen. Egg cells are now forming and the lining of the uterus builds up so that pregnancy is possible. There is a watery to bloody discharge. The female dog becomes more attractive to male dogs. However, she is not yet ready for mating and does not allow contact. Increased urination attracts more males.
With the onset of the estrus phase, the female dog becomes ready to mate. She clearly signals to the male dogs that she is ready to conceive by placing her tail to one side. This phase is also known as the standing heat and lasts about eight to ten days. Ovulation now takes place and several eggs are released into the uterus via the fallopian tubes, where they can be fertilized by sperm over several days. Ovulation is not visible from the outside and occurs approximately two to four days after the onset of readiness to mate. The female dog now bleeds less and the vulva no longer appears as swollen as before.
The post-heat phase can be recognized by the fact that the female no longer allows mating. The vulva swells and there is no more discharge. This phase lasts about 63 days. If the female is pregnant, this period ends with the birth of the puppies.
This marks the beginning of a resting phase of about four months, although the duration of this phase can vary greatly. During this time, the ovaries and uterus regenerate so that the proestrus phase can begin again. This cycle normally repeats itself until the female dog dies, as female dogs do not go through menopause.
Your dog will probably be particularly affectionate shortly before and during her heat. However, she may also try to run away when she is in the heat. Do not let your dog off the leash and make sure that the areas where she is allowed to run freely are sufficiently secure. Sometimes you may even encounter aggressive male dogs who do not care whether a female dog wants to mate or not. It is best to teach your dog to sit on command in such situations.
If she has run away unintentionally, you can have your vet check whether she has been mated. It is then possible to medically terminate the pregnancy. However, this method is not entirely risk-free. Be sure to consult your vet for advice. You can make an appointment directly via petsXL.
The same applies to injections designed to prevent heat. This hormonal intervention can lead to diseases of the uterus and mammary glands. It is therefore advisable to decide in advance whether you want your dog to have puppies or whether spaying might be a more relaxed solution for you.
Are you one of those people who dream of teaching Beo to talk? Training and taming birds requires patience and empathy for your feathered friend. Nothing is impossible, but some species are more talented at speech than others, while others prefer to live their own lives in small flocks and are not particularly interested in "conversing" with humans.
In veterinary medicine, retained placenta refers to the placenta and egg membranes remaining in the uterus after the birth of the foal. This is not a separate disease, but rather a symptom of various functional disorders. It is one of the most common problems during the birth process in mares and occurs in 2 to 10% of all foal births.
Cats are very resilient and do not show symptoms of illness until late stages. When is it an emergency? And what is the right thing to do? Here you will find useful information to help you assess your cat's condition. The most important thing is to stay calm and keep a clear head.
If you have decided to get a rabbit as a pet, it is certainly interesting to learn a little about the different breeds of rabbits. Below you will find a few breed profiles. Decide for yourself which rabbit suits you best. You may also want to visit one or two breeders and get some more detailed advice.
This viral disease, also known as canine distemper due to its high contagiousness, is an acute infectious disease that is widespread worldwide. Puppies between two and 16 weeks of age, unvaccinated dogs, and older dogs are particularly at risk. If left untreated, the disease is usually fatal. However, modern vaccines provide effective prevention.
Just like in humans, tartar and plaque are really common in our furry friends. These yellowish, rough deposits show up mainly on the corner and front teeth and can lead to serious gum inflammation. Older dogs, small breeds, and dogs with crooked teeth are especially at risk because their teeth don't clean themselves as well.
Cats are among the most popular pets, with around 14.7 million living in German households alone and a total of approximately 46 million across Europe. Only about half of them are vaccinated and neutered, and therefore well protected against disease and unwanted reproduction. Many thousands of them roam the countryside as abandoned, stray, or feral cats.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is currently the most dangerous disease affecting rabbits. It is caused by a virus and causes blood clotting disorders (hemorrhagic = bleeding, causing hemorrhages). It is highly contagious and occurs worldwide in both domestic and wild rabbits. The infectious disease was first described in China in 1984, which is why it is also known as Chinese disease. Young animals and unvaccinated adult animals are particularly at risk.
Many dog owners will be familiar with this condition, which is colloquially referred to as foreskin inflammation. Recurring, yellowish-green, dripping discharge is very common, especially in young, unneutered male dogs.
They are lively, curious, and entertaining, and you will have a lot of fun with a hamster. If you get involved and accept their peculiarities, you can become a really good team. With enough attention for your little darling, nothing should stand in the way of a long, happy hamster life.
One of the horses in your stable has a fever and nasal discharge. This is not necessarily cause for concern, as it could just be a harmless cold. But a few days later, three more horses in the stable have exactly the same symptoms. It is noticeable that all affected horses have severely swollen lymph nodes on their heads. By now, at the latest, the veterinarians who have been called in are alert, because this respiratory disease is obviously very contagious. Swab samples are sent to the laboratory and the suspicion is quickly confirmed. It is strangles, a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract in horses. Even though the disease is not notifiable or reportable, stable owners and horse owners should now act carefully to prevent further spread.
Age is not a disease. We all get older and our bodies show signs of wear and tear. Some of us age faster than others, while others stay fit a little longer. Our horses are similar. From a certain age onwards, the signs can become increasingly noticeable. But this is no reason for us horse owners to get nervous. With keen observation skills and a little support, our beloved animals can grow old in good health.
