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GSPJeta

Posts:12

02/07/2013 9:12 AM
I'm not sure how to post a photo, but my avatar has my pretty girl Jeta who is a little over 9 months old. She is highly energetic and perfect for my family of 3 boys! I have chosen to allow her first heat before I have her spayed and I can see it's on the way from some swelling and I need talked off the cliff! From reading up I think it is best for her growth and development to wait one season since she is training to hunt. We will be super careful during her fertile time, but I'm nervous having never owned a dog I didn't spay early. Can anyone share how long the swelling occurs before bleeding begins? I'm carrying around her denim diapers everyplace so I'm prepared! Also, I don't mean to be graphic but how much blood can I expect? I'm trying to choose a size maxi for her. Any other tips or stories you want to share with me? I have learned so much from lurking around on here to read all the advice from all of you knowledgable GSP owners! Jen

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1217

02/07/2013 9:54 AM
I can't remember exactly, but I think it was just a matter of days at sight of FULL swelling before bleeding began. I was told by some that the first would probably be light...for us, it was heavy enough that diapers were required (even at night since by then she slept with us and was no longer crated. If crated, I'd let her be panty free at night). But, it wasn't anything absurdly heavy...so regular panty liners should suffice (and save you some money). Just remember to change them regularly so her area stays clean. It drove Bella nuts that she couldn't clean herself because every bone in her body told her she needed to, so she did go at her diaper one day while I ran errands. She didn't do it again. She was on full house arrest for several weeks (two for the actual bleeding and then a few more just to be safe). She would play outside in our yard with supervision (since we are unfenced as are most neighbors) and that was her opportunity to clean herself a little since she was outside diaper free. Bella's appetite changed quite a bit as did her body during the cycle so don't be alarmed. We experienced some signs of false pregnancy after but I'm not sure if it was her body slowly returning to normal or an actual bout of it. She was psychologically more whiney, needy, and clearly confused about why she was feeling the way she did. Stories to share? Well...this is silly piece of advice but remember to take the diaper OFF when you're outside. We did take Bella out to camp toward the end of her cycle since she would be mostly on the boat with us all day. I let her out of the car with her diaper on and intended to call her over after unloading a few things to take it off. She, however, ran right to her potty spot and began pooping. That little hole for the tail does not suffice for poop escape. Being the only one I had brought out, I had to wash it and let it air dry on the boat. We don't have kids. So our friend with us who does got a good kick out saying "welcome to my world" the whole time I was washing the poopy diaper.

GSPJeta

Posts:12

02/07/2013 10:04 AM
Ha! I'm glad you said that because it might have slipped my mind to take it off before going out! My husband and I just noticed this week that she was suddenly looking really skinny (spine and ribs showing) so we bumped up her food to 2 cups morning and night. Not sure if there is any correlation. She doesn't seem to be at full swelling yet so I might have bit of time.

smatulewicz User is Offline

Michigan

MH
Posts:1217

02/07/2013 10:37 AM
Bella actually put on a little weight in her middle while having a decreased appetite. We kept her food servings the same as it was hit or miss...some days she'd ignore her breakfast, somedays she wouldn't. You may notice Jeta pawing at her bedding more or collecting toys. She's nesting.

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7927

02/07/2013 5:19 PM
So it varies between girls and especially the first time. Watch for her starting to lick her girl parts more than usual. Often the flow starts lighter, but not always. Then it will get heavier. Her flow will get clearer as she nears the fertile time. That period though is not exact. Also, that period lasts over days, so to be safe you should keep her away from the boys once her flow starts for about 4 weeks even after her flow has stopped. With mine I used a Maxi pad and changed it more frequently because it can get stinky. I also put down old quilts on furniture and floor in the family room and let them go without the diapers as they are very good at keeping themselves clean. Also one of my girls is very good at removing her britches when I am not watching. My oldest girl had a hard time with the britches rubbing the skin between her back legs and abdomen until it was raw. So, check to make sure that doesn't occur with your girl. Good luck and it really isn't that bad. Your girl may get mopey and more clingy, but she may not. With my youngest girl it is hard to tell she is even in season as she doesn't swell much and has not personality or energy changes at all. Her mother was just the opposite. She would swell and just want to lay around and sleep. Good luck and just to warn you this may be a false alarm. My girls have come in the first every where from 8 months, 10 months, and 20 months.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7927

02/07/2013 5:22 PM
Also, your girl is gorgeous and shorthairs are. Great kid dogs and especially boys. My gongs have grown up with my two nephews. Welcome to the forum and if you check there is a sticky note on posting pictures at the top of this section. The key is you have to have your pictures on something like photobucket.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

NixiesMark User is Offline

Texas

MH
Posts:129

02/08/2013 8:37 AM
Jeta is a pretty girl and I can relate as Nixie is going through her first season right now! I noticed the swelling for two days before the blood appeared. This is day 11 and the blood is now mixed with the clearer liquid. It was pretty light at the beginning and I simply have regular liners. It got a little heavier so I put two in there for a few days but now it's lighter again. Her personality hasn't changed much other than the first two days where she was a little more lethargic. But after that she's bounced back to her playful self. Thankfully we have a large 6 foot fenced backyard so I go out there and supervise her while she plays for a bit. A lot of people warned me that all sorts of dogs would show up but we haven't had one visitor yet. (Thankfully!) There was a super bowl get together at my house and it was kind of embarrassing because Nixie was phasing into the more fertile period I think and rubbing up on people! She's been placing her backside against us constantly now as she undergoes the hormonal changes and such. That's the only thing that's really changed the most with her and it's only been for the better part of a week. I'm assuming that'll change after the fertile period is over. It's really not as big of an ordeal as some people made it out to be. Sure it's a little inconvenient but you get used to it and it becomes routine!

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