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My older German Shepherd is in heat. How long & what to watch for?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 8 years and 10 months old | 80 lbs

How long should a dog's heat last? What certain things should I watch out for? She's an 8 almost 9 year old German Shepherd

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on March 10th, 2020

The typical heat cycle can last 2 to 4 weeks. Over that time, you may see a swollen vulva, bleeding and dis charge. Monitor for lethargy, foul odor, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or increased discharge. A uterine infection (pyometra) can occur 2 to 8 weeks after a heat cycle. Ideally, Duchess should be spayed to prevent pyometra in the coming years.

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