Canine Estrous Cycle Overview

Study Notes

Four stages: proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus
Proestrus: Blood-tinged vaginal discharge, vulva moderately enlarged, attracts males but will not mate
Estrus: Serous, straw-colored discharge, vulva at peak swelling, accepts males, breed every other day for one week
Diestrus: Mucoid vaginal discharge that diminishes, +/- pregnancy, swelling of vulva resolves, won't accept males, whelping occurs 57-58 days after onset
Anestrus: No outwardly apparent signs of heat, male shows no interest, uterus repairing

The first two stages of the estrous cycle are referred to as "in heat" or "in season"
Common client questions include: How do I know when she's in heat?, When should I breed her?, When will she deliver the pups?
Clinical observations and diagnostic tests can answer client questions.

Female should be over 18 months old and usually bred on the 2nd or 3rd heat cycle
Stud dog should be over 18 months old
Both dogs should be current on vaccinations, heartworm preventative, and parasite control
Male and female should have Brucellosis test prior to breeding (Brucella canis)
- Venereal disease
- Bacterial infection
- Rapid Slide Agglutination Test - very sensitive test; almost never have false negatives, but may produce false positives; positive tests should be confirmed with different test

Natural Breeding: Bring female to stud dog, breed every other day once she is in estrus OR breed on days 3-6/7 after Luteinizing Hormone surge (hormone testing must be done), "tie" can last 2-30 minutes (usually about 15 minutes), do NOT attempt to separate, caused by swelling of bulbis glandis
Artificial Insemination: Fresh cooled semen, MUST use hormone testing, inseminate 3-6/7 days after L.H. surge

Lasts 63 days after ovulation
57-58 days from onset of diestrus
Pregnancy detection: Palpate amniotic sacs in uterus from around 25 to 35 days gestation, ultrasound after 21 days gestation, radiographs after 6-7 weeks gestation (can count puppies), blood test (relaxin) after 3-4 weeks gestation.

### Canine Healthcare During Pregnancy

Continue heartworm prevention and flea control
No Modified Live Virus (MLV) vaccines
Puppy food starting at 4 weeks gestation
Deworming:
- Canine roundworms can be transmitted across the placenta.
- Canine roundworms and hookworms can be transmitted through milk.
- Roundworms and hookworms are zoonotic.

### Parasite Control For Mom and Pups

Fenbendazole: Treat female daily from day 40 of gestation until pups are 2 weeks old
Ivermectin: Treat female on days 0, 30, and 60 of gestation, and again when pups are 10 days old (NEVER use high doses of ivermectin in herding breeds)
Treating puppies: Pyrantel Pamoate (Nemex, Strongid T) at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Treat the dam right after the pups are born, then treat along with the pups.