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Two heats in a year

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Hi there!

    My Basenji Nzinga had heat in april and again now, in november. She is almost 4 years old and it is the first time she has two heat cycles in a year. What do you advise me? She is not castrated and not mated and I don't intendent to. Thank you and greetings from Brazil. Andrea Menezes

  • We had our 2 sisters castrated, Lela after her first heat and Binti after her second (she came to us when she was 1,5).
    Castrating greatly reduces the risks to various kinds of cancer.
    And during their period of heat, they were both reserved, a bit sullen, not playful or fun at all - it lasted several months.

  • There is no reason to leave her in-tact…. not only to you risk cancer, but also bitches can develop Pyometra, especially if they start to have odd seasons

  • 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

4/4

17 Nov 2013, 00:06

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    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.
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    I hate to disagree with your breeder, but I'm with Sally. I cannot come up with any reason to sedate to test fertility issues. Sure, if she was showing signs of pain, pyometra, something obvious. But risking anesthesia makes no sense. I really would ask her what she is thinking is wrong that would justify sedating.
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    I learned about bulldogs from my friends Norma and Frank Hugo of Hugo Bulls. They have over 150 specialty wins since 1967. I have seen the trauma of heart disease, cleft palates, and idiots who don't know they require c-sections until their bitch starts to whelp and crush the rib cages of their puppies.. or die because they can't deliver them. Breeding basenjis is a breeze compared to bulldogs. You say you have read for years, but I would bet I learned more from hanging with Norma over 30 yrs ago than you have. For the record, it is "bred" not "bread". <to self.. don't feed the trolls>
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    Please let us know what he/she says…