How to prepare and care for your small dog's first heat cycle?

Question

Hello... I have heard that small dog breeds like Shih Tzu get into their 1st heat in the 6th or 7th month..How should I take care of Mini during its 1st and future heats?? Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed | 3 months and 8 days old

Sara Farmer, DVM · Accepted Answer

That is true - typically the first heat cycle occurs around 9 months in a small breed dog but it can occur as early as 6 months. You should make sure there is no potential for her to either escape from your yard or for other dogs to get into your yard to avoid an accidental breeding, and should avoid taking her in public when she is in heat. She will first go through a proestrus phase where the vulva swells and there is bloody discharge: this lasts 1-2 weeks. You will want to have diaper for her to wear to decrease the mess. Estrus comes next and will be when she is fertile and will ovulate - this lasts another 5-10 days but there is no longer any bloody discharge. If you don't plan to breed Mini in the future you may want to discuss having her spayed.

How to prepare and care for your small dog's first heat cycle?

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