I have two small dogs. One is a Chihuahua and she is in heat right now. My other one is a Shih Tzu and she just turned 7 months. I am wanting to get them both fixed but I am not wanting my Shih Tzu to come into heat before I do it.
My question is: I didn't know if a dogs cycle is anything like a ladies. Meaning, if you have a group of girls that are always together, they will more then likely have their cycle together. Since my Chihuahua is in heat, will my Shih Tzu be more likely to come in?
I know that this may sound like a silly question. I am getting them both fixed and would like to do it at the same time (after my Chihuahua's heat is over) but I do not want my Shih Tzu coming into heat before I get her fixed. So I am just wondering if I should go ahead and get her fixed before the other.
2007-09-11 13:46:43 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
At 7 months she may go into heat at any time - if she hasn't already. Dogs go into heat every 6 months. It isn't related to when the other dog is in heat, just her age. During estrus the dog's uterus enlarges and the blood vessels that lead to it are engorged. If you spay a dog when they are in heat those blood vessels are a bit harder to close off. Most vets are reluctant to do it because of the increased risk of bleeding, but it can be done. Expect an additional cost because of it. You're right to try to get her spayed before her first heat because she will be at higher risk for malignant breast cancer when she is older if she goes through 1 or 2 heats first. Even if you wait until after the first heat (give the uterus a few weeks to go back to normal) spaying before the second heat does give a small benefit for breast cancer. Spaying at any time reduces the risk of pyometra (uterine infection), and prevents unwanted puppies.
2007-09-11 14:12:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can actually spay them both now. Dogs in heat can be spayed. It's a little more complicated but it is routinely done and it's not that big of a problem.
With the shih tzu at 7 months, she could go into heat at any time. It usually happens between 6-9 months. So you take a chance if you wait. So either do her right away and do the chi right after heat or do them both now.
2007-09-11 13:54:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dogs come into heat between 7-9 mths old. Heat last 3 weeks with prime breeding time inthe second week. You can spay a dog in the start of heat, later than that it is hard on the dog due to the abrupt drop in hormone levels. Dogs need to be at least 6 months to spay or neuter, and they don't have to go through a cycle first. I work at a vet and we do this every day.
2007-09-11 21:01:43 · answer #3 · answered by BABYDOLL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a silly question at all, because it is true. Female dogs kept together will generally all go into heat within a few weeks of each other. I had three females come in in one month once. My life was a living h3!! because at the time I had an intact show dog, and a rescue that had JUST been neutered. I don't wish that on anybody! Call your vet and ask for his/her recommendation, and be very careful to not let your ladies out unattended. Males have bred females through fences and crate wires before, so chaperone your girls everywhere.
2007-09-11 14:04:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to get the shih tzu fixed asap.. at 6 months they can come into heat, meaning it could be her turn any day now. It is best to get them spayed before they every go into their 1st heat cycle to lower their chances of mammary tumors, and cervical cancers like humans get.
2007-09-11 13:56:27 · answer #5 · answered by doodlebugmeem 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your Chihuahua will be in season for a total of 3 weeks. In my experience, it is actually better to wait until she has finished her season and then wait another 3-6 weeks prior to having her speyed. However, you do want to ensure that she is not exposed to any whole males during the time she is in season.
Again, and this is my opinion only, I prefer to let a girl who is to be neutered have at least one season prior to having her speyed. This ensures that all of her hormonal maturity is complete, which affects other aspects of the overall health of the dog.
Personally, I would have the Chi speyed six weeks after her season is complete.
Were I you, I would treat your Shih Tzu as a separate case and wait to have her speyed after she has had her first season. While the Chi being in season, releasing pheromones into the enviornment, may help the ST to come in, it also may be that she hasn't yet developed homonally enough yet to come into season.
However, if you don't want to wait, take the ST in now and schedule the Chi to be done a couple months from now.
2007-09-11 14:11:53 · answer #6 · answered by Senge 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would go ahead with getting the shihtzu done now and just realize you need to keep the chi in your sight at all times or locked in teh house. Dogs have been known to breed through cages.
I don't know if you know but you can spay the chi now however due to the blood vessels being larger the surgery will usually cost slightly more
2007-09-11 14:08:21 · answer #7 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a such thing as the "dorm syndrome", where females come into heat around the same time.
It is possible your other dog can come into heat.
I think it is a good idea if you give the vet a call and see what the vet says.
My females came into heat within a week of each other and my intact male drove me crazy for a while. I felt bad for him because he couldn't help he wasn't himself for a while.
2007-09-11 14:14:23 · answer #8 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, dogs come into heat every 6 months if not spayed. Make a appointment for both your dogs now, sometimes it takes 3 weeks before a vet can get them in.
2007-09-11 13:54:19 · answer #9 · answered by redneckcowgirlmo 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes, get her fixed now. She could go into heat at any time.
2007-09-11 14:07:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋