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My dog stopped bleeding but is swollen during her first heat. Is this normal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 7 months and 12 days old | 6 lbs

My dog is in the middle of her first heat cycle. I’ve been monitoring it to know when it’s over so I can schedule a day for her to get spayed. She seemed to stop bleeding, and then I noticed that she was swollen near her vaginal area. Is that normal while they’re in heat? I haven’t had a female dog as a puppy or one that hasn’t been spayed yet so I’m not sure what is normal and what isn’t.

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4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 13th, 2018

Yes, the vulva is normally swollen during the heat cycle. The swelling will go away when then heat cycle is over. Be aware that your dog will be able to conceive up to three weeks from the day she stops bleeding as she now is in heat. The time she was bleeding was preparing for the heat (pre-estrus). The best time to spay is about three months from the day she stops bleeding.

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11Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By C. Rathjens, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 4th, 2019

    First of all, don't let her outside unsupervised so she doesn't accidentally mate. Male dogs can smell a dog in heat and jump fences, etc to get to her. As far as managing the mess, I'd recommend getting her some doggie diapers and/or confining her to an easy to clean part of your house. She'll probably bleed for about 2 weeks, although it can go up to 6 weeks. You can schedule her to be spayed a few weeks to a month after she stops bleeding to avoid this happening in the future.

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on February 18th, 2017

    If she is in heat, this is a completely normal thing for unspayed females - similar to a human female's menstrual cycle :) There is nothing you can do to treat it or make it stop, she will be in heat for about 2-3 weeks before the swelling and bleeding subside. If you want to prevent this from continuing to happen in the future, I would recommend having her spayed as soon as she is finished bleeding. You can get special panties for her to wear in the meantime if needed, to keep her from making a mess in the house.

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    Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 2nd, 2017

    There isn't much you need to do during this time, nor there is a "cure" other than having her spayed eventually which will terminate all future menstrual periods. just make sure she does not come in contact with any male dogs as she is likely to get pregnant if she does. the cycle usually lasts up to 3 weeks, during this time she might experience bleeding on a daily basis.

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