Zastava's first heat has arrived.

[Katyusharocket]

I don’t know why I can’t grasp this information and always confuse it lol

Oh I am the same way. You are not alone!

I got my 50 foot cable out and anchored to the fence post over my lunch time, so the loose end can be in the back entry way (under the door). When I hook any of the dogs to that, I can always see where they are, so I won't have to hold Z's leash every minute. I will still be watching every minute, but both of us should feel a bit more freedom this way.

Her spirits are good when I am home. The only reason I know about the standing and pacing is the cameras letting me see while I am at work.

How often do the rest of you change the pads in the panties? I have been doing about every 12 hours. Is that enough?

 

[MichiH]

Oh I am the same way. You are not alone!

I got my 50 foot cable out and anchored to the fence post over my lunch time, so the loose end can be in the back entry way (under the door). When I hook any of the dogs to that, I can always see where they are, so I won't have to hold Z's leash every minute. I will still be watching every minute, but both of us should feel a bit more freedom this way.

Her spirits are good when I am home. The only reason I know about the standing and pacing is the cameras letting me see while I am at work.

How often do the rest of you change the pads in the panties? I have been doing about every 12 hours. Is that enough?

That’s great you have it set I’m that way.

The pacing due to being uncomfortable and antsy. It’s no fun and she’s confused I’m sure too.

I changed her pad or liner, when she went out to potty. If it were heavily saturated before that I’d change it out too. I changed it often for the most part, to keep her dry down below too so no irritation would happen.

 

[Katyusharocket]

I changed her pad or liner, when she went out to potty. If it were heavily saturated before that I’d change it out too. I changed it often for the most part, to keep her dry down below too so no irritation would happen.

thanks! I will pick up the pace on changing them out, then. I appreciate you sharing your experience and helping me keep my little one healthy and as comfortable as she can be during the whole thing.

 

[MichiH]

thanks! I will pick up the pace on changing them out, then. I appreciate you sharing your experience and helping me keep my little one healthy and as comfortable as she can be during the whole thing.

You’re welcome! Well, you’re not a girl and this is all new, so no worries!

 

[JanS]

Amazingly I didn't need to use the pants at all on Olive for this cycle since it was only minor spotting for a day or two and it was easier to just wipe up off the floor. It was a full blown heat though and Elroy let me know that very clearly.

 

[MyBuddy]

only minor spotting for a day or two

Only a day or two? When they're in heat for a month? That's incredible. I wish I had that. I mean Annie wasn't heavy but no way I could let her go without something on her. Especially sitting on my couch even though it has a blanket on it. A white one LOL

I changed her pad every time she went out also. I just couldn't see putting that back on her even if there was only a little on there.

 

[Katyusharocket]

Amazingly I didn't need to use the pants at all on Olive for this cycle since it was only minor spotting for a day or two

no way I could let her go without something on her. Especially sitting on my couch even though it has a blanket on it.

I leave for work around 7:30 and get back home at noon, about 4.5 hours. In that amount of time the pad has a spot on it about the size of a dime or penny. I'm not sure where that falls in the spectrum. Sounds like it can be vastly different from dog to dog.

 

[MichiH]

I leave for work around 7:30 and get back home at noon, about 4.5 hours. In that amount of time the pad has a spot on it about the size of a dime or penny. I'm not sure where that falls in the spectrum. Sounds like it can be vastly different from dog to dog.

If it’s not much I wouldn’t change it out. Her bleeding will change week to week. I took notes per @Ravenbird and I believe week 2 she bled heavily it was crazy. You’re right too it’s different Dobergirl to Dobergirl.

 

[JanS]

That's incredible. I wish I had that.

It could happen down the road since I think they get the most on their first heat, as a rule.

 

[MyBuddy]

It could happen down the road since I think they get the most on their first heat, as a rule.

Boy I thought that would happen with the first heat. Well we'll see what happens next time! I can't say she was very heavy at all. It's just there was enough to need something on her.

 

[Ravenbird]

She is still standing and pacing a lot, very little laying down. It's not like signs of distress, but I can't tell if maybe she is slightly uncomfortable?

Not sure if it's the same thing going on, but my Asha doesn't mind the pants as long as she's moving around, but will not lay down unless I tell her to. It's why I put an X-pen around her bed in my bedroom so that at night she can sleep naked. Like yours, she's so good, doesn't tear them off or anything, but I could just tell she didn't want them on. So bedtime she has her bed with a little space in the X-pen to move about, but will not be spotting on anything outside that area. She can do the natural self-care of licking and cleaning herself up. I layer her bed with several blankets and in the morning take the soiled one(s) off to launder and top it off with clean ones. I get some really nice blankets at the thrift store for $3 - $5 and don't worry or care if they get "ruined".

 

[Katyusharocket]

The spot on the pad was about the size of a quarter when I got home at 5:30, but this was in addition to the dime size at noon before I pledged to step up my game on frequency of change. I'm going to let her catch some air this evening and tonight. It's all hardwood in the house, and mopping is no big deal. I can revisit the panties and pads needs as we go. I'm learning alot by being beside her through this but also reading what you all experience. Thanks to you all!

I get some really nice blankets at the thrift store for $3 - $5 and don't worry or care if they get "ruined".

This is a great idea for blanket acquisition, as well as stuffies. I can check there tomorrow for both.

Not sure if it's the same thing going on, but my Asha doesn't mind the pants as long as she's moving around, but will not lay down unless I tell her to.

It sounds similar but different. Zastava was displaying this behavior 5 days before her bleeding started, when no pants were being worn. I think she's just got a lot going on emotionally and hormonally, and probably has a lot of questions right now? Z doesn't mind the pants so badly, but it seems like she would rather not have them on, because they are in the way of licking at herself, perhaps? Yet, she leaves them on, even though she could easily remove and shred them when i am at work. Another notch in the good girl category.

 

[MyBuddy]

This is a great idea for blanket acquisition, as well as stuffies. I can check there tomorrow for both.

I got all of Buddy's blankets at garage sales. I knew what kind I needed and I would just sift through them and always came up with something. And I would never pay more than two bucks . He never ate them but he would chew a hole. So I always had a supply ready to replace them. The one colorful one that Annie has now is from that stash.

I did get some Stuffies too. For most of them were too full of buttons and eyes and other dangerous things. Just have to be diligent on what you pick out. But again people are usually giving those away!

 

[Katyusharocket]

Just need to ask this, have any of the rest of you with intact girls noted loose stools sometime during the heat cycle? I estimate, based on Toby's help, that Zastava is in the peak fertility range of her cycle, starting yesterday. Discharge is still happening but it's becoming less red. At the same time, her stools have gotten loose. More than just noticeably but like, "Oh, my" loose. I haven't changed anything about their diet and can't think of any other changes, other than I close her off and give her the entire upper floor while I'm at work, until Toby behaves better, which may cause stress pooping? What have others experienced? I won't hesitate to take in a stool sample soon if it doesn't self correct. Just wanted to know if it is unique to us.

Edit to add that I gave her some canned pumpkin tonight with supper, maybe that will help. Her appetite is still ravenous.

 

[Ravenbird]

have any of the rest of you with intact girls noted loose stools sometime during the heat cycle?

I never have seen any stool changes and Asha is now 5. She has produced some "stress-soft" stools in her life, so you might have guessed correctly on that. Any changes in home or lifestyle can trigger some stress, but a few loose stools are better than Toby being a hassle to her while you aren't there. You're almost to the end of the cycle so hang in there. If she isn't acting sick, I would chalk it up as change in the daily routine/arrangement you've made for her.

 

[Katyusharocket]

stress-soft" stools in her life, so you might have guessed correctly on that. Any changes in home or lifestyle can trigger some stress, but a few loose stools are better than Toby being a hassle to her while you aren't there.

Zastava stress-softs pretty easily. She even goes soft with excitement, like going on a car ride to somewhere she really loves to go.

 

[Katyusharocket]

a few loose stools are better than Toby being a hassle to her while you aren't there.

Completely agree here. Katyusha also gets very upset with one or the other of them (pr both) when shenanigans happen, and i don't want any lashing out. Preventing shenanigans is easier.

 

[MichiH]

Just need to ask this, have any of the rest of you with intact girls noted loose stools sometime during the heat cycle? I estimate, based on Toby's help, that Zastava is in the peak fertility range of her cycle, starting yesterday. Discharge is still happening but it's becoming less red. At the same time, her stools have gotten loose. More than just noticeably but like, "Oh, my" loose. I haven't changed anything about their diet and can't think of any other changes, other than I close her off and give her the entire upper floor while I'm at work, until Toby behaves better, which may cause stress pooping? What have others experienced? I won't hesitate to take in a stool sample soon if it doesn't self correct. Just wanted to know if it is unique to us.

Edit to add that I gave her some canned pumpkin tonight with supper, maybe that will help. Her appetite is still ravenous.

I know Pepper has had loose stool issues, but each time before her heat and then during her false pregnancy she’s had loose stools. The breeder confirmed with me she has a female Rottweiler that has this issue as well.
Vet appointment this week, vet mentioned Peppers recent episode could be related to her false pregnancy.
So sorry you’re going through this I know how stressful it is.
Hopefully, some sleep and she’ll be good to go tomorrow am!

 

[Katyusharocket]

I know Pepper has had loose stool issues, but each time before her heat and then during her false pregnancy she’s had loose stools. The breeder confirmed with me she has a female Rottweiler that has this issue as well.
Vet appointment this week, vet mentioned Peppers recent episode could be related to her false pregnancy.
So sorry you’re going through this I know how stressful it is.
Hopefully, some sleep and she’ll be good to go tomorrow am!

It feels to me like we are in the middle of the timeline of before heat and false pregnancy, based on you sharing your experience. But i suppose any dog's body could react to hormonal changes differently on their own timeline. In any case, thanks for sharing what you have seen plus your breeders remarks about her Rottie. Makes me feel like we aren't the only ones potentially seeing a correlation.

 

[JanS]

What have others experienced?

I think the cramping girls can get can attribute to loose stools.