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My dog's first heat: nipples swollen, no bleeding. Is she fertile?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | 1 year and 11 months old | 4 lbs

My dog has had her first heat and her nipples and bulbs are very swollen but she isn’t bleeding at all anymore

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 2nd, 2019

Female dogs bleed in pre-estrus, which is the two or three weeks before the actual estrus or heat during which they can conceive. This will then actually last about two to three weeks and her vulva and nipples will remain swollen due to the increase in hormones. So, actually she is now in heat and can conceive, so you need to guard her, if you do not want puppies.

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 26th, 2018

    Yes, this could be normal, as she possibly is showing signs of heat still or a false pregnancy. Should she get lethargic or start to drink a lot of water, you will need to take her back to your vet for a recheck as sometimes the uterine stump (what is left after ovariohysterectomy) can get infected.

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    Answered By Ana M, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 17th, 2018

    Thank you for submitting your question regarding Grey. After a dog goes through a first heat cycle, the body will no longer look as it did when she was a puppy. Some of the swelling will resolve, but her mammary chain and vulva will stay somewhat enlarged. This is the appearance of an intact adult female dog. Hopefully she did not become pregnant on her first heat cycle as she is only a puppy herself still. In this case, the mammary chain would continue to enlarge as would her abdomen. I hope this information helps!

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    26Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 29th, 2018

    If she stopped bleeding on the 4th October , then she has actually been in heat since then. The time before, when she was bleeding was pre-estrus, a preparation time of the body to go into heat. Dogs will be in pre-heat for 2-3 weeks, then in heat for up to 4 weeks. So you will need to be careful still as she still can become pregnant. Once heat is over ( around now) it will take a few days for the extra hormones to leave the body and the swelling of the nipples and vulva to go down.

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