Skip to content

First Heat as a Spring Heat?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • I think Peggy may be going into heat. She is 6.5 mos old (DOB: 10/23/2010).
    My neutered male has been trying to hump her for days, and today Corin (4.5 mos old) started trying to hump her. Katie, our spayed female, has also been trying to lick her vulva.

    Is it possible for her to be going into heat in the spring as a first heat?

    -Nicole

  • Yes, some will have a "puppy heat" at about 6 months of age.

  • Does this heat usually last as long as a "regular" heat? As I have not had an intact female, I don't know.

  • Yes, at least two of mine had heat just after six months…but she also might have a UTI or a little vaginitis. A lot of times the boys will start being interested/confused when the smell changes. My boys are never interested until a many days after the bleeding has started. And on their first heat, it seems like the girls bleed FOREVER until the boys take it seriously. But that has just been my experience...and not all that broad. If nothing changes, I would get her in to the vet for a UTI check.

  • What does the breeder say about the heat cycles of her dam or her line? If her breeder thinks this than is right on course with her dam/line then you'll just have to wait it out to see what transpires. If you notice a change in urination (frequency, pain) then a def. check with the vet to rule out UTI. As Andrea says, vaginitis can also be another rule in/out and can cause a lot of interest from the other dogs to her back side.

  • We haven't seen any blood yet, so we will make a vet appt.

    -Nicole

  • Please let us know what he/she says…

Suggested Topics

  • Puppy Heat

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    865 Views
    B
    much better!!!
  • Heat cycles

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    1k Views
    ZandeZ
    She's very young. It does take some bitches a couple of years (cycles) before they settle into a routine - which is another reason not to neuter them until everything has really settled down !) I wouldn't worry too much, just keep a close eye on her. She was born 'out of season' - but will probably revert to one proper season a year in time.
  • Two heats in a year

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    G
    My first Basenji had 2 heats a year, and then she'd always have a false pregnancy after each heat. And she was bitchy for the month she was in heat… and bitchy for the 2 months she was "pregnant". So that meant, with 2 heats a year, she was bitchy for 6 months out of the year. Talk about a good reason to spay a dog! And Pat is right, there is no good reason to keep a bitch whole if she doesn't need to be. Never mind just the convenience of it,,,,, Pyometra IS a threat. I had 2 bitches get Pyometra. I lost one, the other was saved with an emergency spay. -Joanne
  • First Heat Cycle

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    8k Views
    tanzaT
    @Buddys: all those male dogs at your front door! I mentioned to my brother who is a first time girl puppy owner, and he laughed when I told him to look out for the male dogs. The other day, a blind dog who never goes outside ended up sniffing at his front door from down the street!!!! talk about a sex drive! Exactly, most people do not believe you when you tell them that male dogs will do most anything to get at a bitch in season. Years ago when I had 3 bitches in season at one time, there was a very old in-tact Lab that lived 4 blocks away… He had to be at least 14. But as soon as the girls were "ripe" and ready, there he would be walking back and forth in front of the house.... never saw that dog any other time
  • Missing a heat?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    6k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I REALLY wanted the plaque vaccine to pan out. When it came out, my vets (who are cautious) said to wait a couple of years. Well, it has been found safe, but they discontinued it as it doesn't work. I really need a miracle. Though the truth is, she is good about it now and heck, I spent more time grooming the chow 2x a week than I do brushing her teeth every night. I still have to get them cleaned every 3 mos though. My vet recommended trying a water pik. ROFLMAO, me and what army? Sigh. So we just keep getting them cleaned. For the record, she isn't forming tartar, it is the actual plaque her gums react to. http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Breaking+News/Pfizer-discontinues-production-of-veterinary-perio/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/718560
  • Coming into heat

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    renaultf1R
    My pup's first heat was when she was a little over 10 months old. She had been around many girls that were in heat a month and a half before she went in and I had hoped that she would be in and over her heat before she returned to me from her show road trip LOL - no such luck. :D:D.