My dog is bleeding again after her heat cycle. Should I worry?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Why would my dog be going back in heat? It has been more than 21 days. Now she is bleeding again.
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on September 4th, 2015
Most dogs typically go into heat twice a year. The questions to ask yourself are: 1. Has she ever done this before? 2. Does the blood look different? 3. Is she behaving differently? Occasionally, bitches do slow their bleeding and then start up again briefly towards the end, but it is not worth the risk to assume this is the case here. If this is not how her heat cycles normally progress, it is possible that she has [pyometra](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pyometra/), or an infection of the uterus. Pyometra is common in older, intact female dogs that have recently had a heat cycle. It is a very serious condition that typically requires surgical intervention. Please bring her to your veterinarian or the nearest veterinary ER to be on the safe side. She needs to be seen ASAP, especially if she is lethargic, [feverish](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-common-signs-your-pet-has-a-fever) or has a tender abdomen.
29Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 23rd, 2019
Hello, and thanks for your question. Either is possible! A dog's heat cycle tends to last between 2-4 weeks, so she may just have a slightly longer than average cycle. However, they can also have a split heat, where they start their heat, stop it, and then restart it again and finish the cycle. From your description, if she had been "normal" for up to a week, this may be the case with Lina. This doesn't mean Lina will *always* have a split heat - it can be random and may just be a function of her still-developing hormones. The best way to know for sure what's going on with a dog's heat cycle would be to perform cytology, which involves using a sterile swab to look at some of the vaginal cells under a microscope. The appearance of those cells changes throughout the heat cycle. Many breeders make frequent trips to the vet for this cytology analysis to determine exactly when their dog should be bred! Here's some more information on a dog's normal cycling: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/estrus-cycles-in-dogs Hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on November 21st, 2017
Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Good question. This can vary slightly from dog to dog but typically the first part of the heat cycle is called proestrous. It can last up to about 10 days during which bleeding is noted from the vaginal area. I encourage you to spay your dog unless you are going to breed her. Mammary cancer is directly correlated to estrogen in dogs and every heat cycle that the female goes through raises her risk of mammary cancer later in life. Also, 30-60 days after each heat cycle, a female dog can develop a life-threatening infection of her uterus called pyometra. Spaying helps both of these issues plus you will never have to experience her going through another heat cycle. Please watch her closely during her heat, never let her outside by herself. She will be attracting male dogs during this time. Good luck
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on April 15th, 2020
3 weeks of bleeding is definitely not normal. Please, take Khaleesi to your local vest and get her checked-over. She may have, for example uterine infection called pyometra. It can look very similar to a season but most of the dogs will go off food, drink plenty of water and vomit. What is more, 2nd heat in 10 months old dog is definitely not normal. If your dog does have pyometra, she will need to spayed as an emergency.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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