Get her fixed.

Some vets require you let them go through the first heat for the tiny dogs because it helps the internal organs mature and enlarge. So it's easier for them to perform the surgery. My vet had us do it with Mia. She was fine with her time, very light bleeding on the first one for her. No problem at all. As soon as she was back to normal she had surgery and did great.

There is definitely a growing body of information that encourages waiting on spaying/neutering until at least a year when growth plates are finished, and laying blame for some dysplasias on early spay. There are also many countries that do not routinely spay but who do not seem to have the same problems as we do here.

All bitches are different. She may be more affectionate and clingy or she may want to be left alone. Her appetite may go down for the first few days. It is extremely important that you keep her away from any possibility of males getting near her for 5 weeks. Also be aware that not only do the males come calls but she may try to slip out to get to a male. Never let her out on her own off leash unless you have a very high secure fence with zero places to slip through or dig under. If there is a will dogs will find a way.

Be aware that the danger zone of her getting pregnant is not while she is bleeding but when the fluid is clear. many people think that once the bleeding stops it's done. Most will bleed .stop bleeding and some will bleed again towards the end. Thus 4 weeks minimum, 5 weeks to be safe.

Most heats are uneventful. However there is always the risk of pyometra. Watch for any signs of infection from about two weeks to 8 weeks after oestrus.

My Rottie is in heat right now. Yes we do get spots to wipe up but she keeps herself pretty clean. She is hyper clingy right now and wants little to do with strangers.

Once her heat cycle is over it is not yet over. In a few weeks she could have a false pregnancy. If she does be sure it is completely past before having her spayed. If you don't plan to breed her please get her spayed. Some large breeds such as mine have health issues with early spaying, That is the only reason why mine is not fixed. However there is no reason not to spay smaller dogs sooner. Know your breeds. Your have to weigh the risks of various cancers versus spaying. If I had a small poodle it would be spayed early due to it's higher risk of mammary cancer which spaying seems to prevent somewhat. On the other hand spaying a alrge breed like a Rot early could lead to a higher incidence of bone cancer which isn't the case with small breeds. So the current school of thought is the smaller the breed the sooner one should spay.

We once (long ago) had a dog from a friend of a friend and we were told she was spayed. One day she was bleeding and I took her to the vet and discovered she was in heat! The vet said to be very vigilant with her when outside to be leashed at all times or she might run off due to the situation looking for a mate. She looked quiet and uncomfortable for the duration. Maybe she had cramps lol.

Just be aware that a bitch in season can become an escape artist that will rival Houdini! And if she gets out, I can promise you there will be puppies.

I would consider confining her to one room with a hook on the top of the door for those "who forget" why she's in there.

Yes, I would get her some doggy panties if you start seeing drops of blood on your furniture and bedding. And you most likely will.

I disagree with this new philosophy of waiting until a bitch has had one season and a dog is 1 yr old before neutering. Yes, they may end up being a minuscule taller, but that's far better than more unwanted puppies and kittens in the world. It's hard even for breeders to keep a bitch in season - many - even those who are VERY careful - end up with accidental matings.

You must take her out on a leash, and I hope you have a fenced in back yard. If you don't, you are going to discover dogs you've never before seen in your front yard, trying frantically to get into your house. A dog who is outside next door in a fenced in yard, will be frantic if he smells a bitch in season and is not neutered.

It's just a really, really dumb idea to wait, but it's now too late - a bitch in season should only be neutered while in season under very serious circumstances.

Rosy will be fine. Maybe just a few drops of blood. But I would not worry about her. Give her some attention, she'll be fine.

Vets won't spay while a dog is in season.

I was curious as to why she had not been spayed and am really relieved to read the answer. I know there are different theories on best age to do it, but as long as it's done it's all good. ( I worked with someone who hadn't spayed her designer mini whatever it was and seemed surprised when she had a litter. She sold them all and then lo and behold another litter. Also sold. The first litter I did accept was just an education but after that, not spaying her, I sure lost a lot of respect for my co-worker. Sorry not sorry for my rant.

A little off topic but certainly food for thought,

I’m not sure if this is something offered by all the clinics or just ours, but ours suggested that we have our girl micro chipped at the same time. It wasn’t expensive and it made good sense.

Also, something else that was new to me and I really appreciated is that the clinic put a little green tattoo mark on the spot where the surgery was performed. That way if the information was ever needed it would be available. I thought that was clever as well.

I wish all did the tattoo Mark indicating that the animal was spayed. It would be very helpful. Many times you just can't find a scar to know for sure.

Some in-season bitches are meticulous groomers - nary a drop of blood. Others are pigs. You'll soon know which Rosy is.

Hope you are all doing better soon. You certainly have your hands full.

MamaP, I'm sorry you have so much on your plate. Would it be possible to contain both girls to a small area until they are feeling better so that they can't make messes all over your house? It sure would make a lot less work for you.

I'm thinking of crates or cardboard boxes at night and foldable dog pens if you have one or a baby gate or even a piece of plywood across a doorway during the day would do the trick.

Hope everyone (dogs and humans) is feeling better soon!

I wish everyone in the household, animal and human, happier and healthier days asap.

In the meantime, I think keeping the descriptions at a higher level and leaving out the unnecessary details might improve the conversation. I'm sure I'm not alone in having the thought that including so much personal and illness related specifics in a public forum isn't the best approach. As an example, pet owners and non-pet owners alike understand the consequences of an animal vomiting and having diarrhea. I don't think a reporting of where problems were found and how they were handled is necessary.

Good luck.

Elmer, in general, women think differently than men. I would lose my mind if I didn’t have girlfriends (and sisters) to vent with and yes, we like lotsa detail. Drives me nuts when my dh is vague about something that interests me. Maybe you can give such posts a miss, if they bother you.

Mama, you sure do have a lot on your plate! I hope all are feeling better very soon. And thank you for the details. :)

I understand what you're saying, sjerin, and have had the same observation myself. You highlight another of the interesting and sometimes amusing gender differences we all experience (and contribute to). What's different is that this isn't a conversation in private among a few women and the topic isn't one for which I think the details are needed (or are polite to mention) in a public conversation.

I think anyone offended will just skip reading the topic.

Fingers and toes crossed that the food will stay down. Don’t forget to take care of yourself!

Wow! I hope all including dogs and humans feel better soon.

I agree with Elmer on this one. I don't think he wasn't just referring to the info on this thread but also the over sharing done on the flu post.

I am especially concerned about the flu post. Those kids are not babies. They are not even small children. They deserve the same privacy an adult would expect when they are ill. All this talk about specific temperatures, treatments etc. is just over the top.

As for the dogs, they are dogs. Having dogs running around a home with loose bowels is just crazy. Pen them, follow the vet's advice to the letter, keep an eye on things, and leave them be to get well.

There is an interesting thread exploring some of these issues:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5577660/ethics-of-writing-about-your-kids-on-the-internet#n=43

I hadn't seen that article before, it's a forum I don't frequent.

Sorry, the woman who wrote the Chicago Trib article with the headline "My daughter asked me to stop writing about her. Here's why I can't do that." is a moron. How very, very sad, she completely doesn't get it.

Lucille, I hope your not comparing me to the woman in your article.

Yes I talk to much. Some of you have pointed that out many times. I'm working on that!

Watchmelol...leave them be to get well? I don't understand. Doesn't matter though.

I meant dogs don't have to be babied to get well. They are animals, not people. They often want a quiet place to rest and be left alone. Even furry little cute ones that are often spoiled, left untrained and mis-managed due to the cute factor. They are still dogs. The vet told you to try to feed them sooner than later so you could feel useful. It's a no harm no foul decision. Other wise they would be allowed to fast for up 12 to 24 hours until their digestive tracts settled. Just plenty of water offered. Left to their own devices they would generally fast. However few dogs are going to turn up their nose at people food. That is what animals do. People interfere too much and don't allow animals to follow their instincts is what I was trying to say.

Mama, I posted the thread as an overview of the issue, which is increasingly important as information becomes more searchable. We all discuss our children. How detailed one thinks that discussion should be is worthy of dialogue.

Mamap, 103 temp is not unusual for pets under stress such as a visit to the vet. Giving up the comfort of your bed to sleep on the floor is not necessary. As mentioned tiny dogs, such as yours, are easy to confine in a large box or other makeshift container. You need to get your rest too and keep cleanup to a minimum.

Posts have been deleted, yet again! !

Sad!

(to quote our Incompetent-in-Chief)

A recurring practice of some. I hope people give their words a reread and second thoughts before pushing the Submit button. Not after.

watchmen!, it's not "babying" a dog that is sick to take it to the vet, whether is a 5 lb Yorkie or a 170 lb male Leonberger. A sick dog is a sick dog, just as is a sick child, a sick human.

When I had my first baby, the mother (herself the mother of 5) of my oldest childhood friend said the only advice she was going to give me was that if I thought my child wasn't quite "right", to call the pediatrician. Far better to OVER-react than to lose a child due to delay. I always followed that advice with my children and have done the same with my dogs. I would much prefer to pay a vet bill and have the vet tell me that it's nothing than to have them tell me I should have brought the dog in 2 days sooner and now things are very bad.

I do NOT think my dogs are human - they are dogs. But these dogs are not livestock - they are pets that share my home and my life, and yes, one does share my bed - we both enjoy that.

I agree that withholding food (NEVER water!) from a dog with gastric problems will do no harm - that's what my vet TELLS me to do. The same is not true for a cat - their pancreas can do some very bad things that can kill a cat pretty quickly. Again, follow the advice of the vet.

In all fairness to Watchmelol her response was to deleted posts. At no time did she say to not follow vet orders.

Anglophelia

Where did I state the dog should not be taken to the vet? Read my post. I was specific in stating that the vet's instructions should be followed. I don't appreciate posts like this accusing me of something I never implied. Some will read it without reading mine and then let the flame games begin.

Hopefully everybody in the Mamapinky household is feeling better by now.