eddieh
|
Season frequency (?)Just under three weeks since getting our new pup, Tegen has decided to come into season. This came as a bit of a surprise as her last season ended just 3 months ago. How common is it to have this short an interval between seasons. If it is unusual, could it be indicative of a problem?
|
Annie as admin
|
More than likely it's because of the new arrival (hormones playing up) but keep an eye on her just in case of any complications/infections.
Annie
|
eddieh
|
Thanks Annie.
I now have a reason, in part at least, for her reluctance to eat.
|
Patricia
|
I would personnaly be concerned by a bitch having a proper season after only 3 months. 
Ask your vet. You need to have complete trust in him/her. He/ she will be as " precious" as your own doctor!!!
All bitches are different, some can come on heat after 5 months or a bit less, some every nine or 10 months. However it is something to keep an eye on. " Lady" problems are quite frequent in bitches, also watch out for pyometra.
If a bitch has bad and long, irregular or short seasons...and if this happens too often, it may be best to either think about breeding her ( preferably if she is a quality animal) or spaying. No injections though.
All vets will recommend neutering your animals, all dogs are individuals so watch the girls carefully as to false pregnancies, possible mastitis etc...If you do not want to breed, it is best to spay. Remember too that Brittanys pups are not like selling Labs either so the option has to be weighed carefully....
|
eddieh
|
Thanks Patricia,
she has a swollen vulva and bloody discharge. This is the only way I recognise a season. Could you define what you mean by "a proper season".
With regard to speying, it is a question of when not if. Even if I had any experience of the looking after a pregnant bitch and whelping, I would not consider breeding unless she had proven herself in the ring or field, and even then would seek the advice of someone like yourself. The arrival of Remi has made this decision more urgent, not more definite.
I will consult our vet. We have only taken animals to him for a few years, and until Feb 2007, those animals have been hamsters. Those visits we've made have suggested that he is truly interested in the animals so I have no choice but to trust him. I do not think this trust will prove to be misplaced
Thanks again
Eddie
|
Patricia
|
Eddie, what I mean by a proper season is just that: swollen vulva with blood. later losing colour to pinkish and finishing about 21 days.
You can have " silent" seasons" whereas there is no colour and some bitches actually don't swell very much ( and some do like baboons!  ) and don't show colour. These are still interesting to males and can be mated just as successfully. But only a dog can tell when! I have had one like it.
So 3 months is close, I would consult my vet. I hate being patrinonised and I have a top vet who will give me all the real facts, not pet stuff. If a bitch is spayed it has to be done roughly in between seasons. Also, some bitches are" hormonal". This creates problems. Remember too that if you now have a male puppy, you will either have to castrate him or neuter your bitch. Brittany males are very forward and could mate early!! 
Beware!!! 
|
eddieh
|
| Patricia wrote: | | Remember too that if you now have a male puppy, you will either have to castrate him |
I think Amanda Ellis might castrate me if I did that
The plan always was to have Tegen done. I did, I think, make a mistake with regard to when Remi would be capable of fathering a litter and am hoping this situation might actually work in my favour.
I get the impression that roughly mid-way between seasons would be the best, but the early onset of this season has left me wondering how I should gauge that. I might just book the op for just after the training weekend.
|
Victoria
|
How old is Tegan? 
|
sallie
|
I have only had one bitch that kept coming into season early - i was advised to have her spayed as there was a risk of serious health problems, as highlighted on here by Patricia. I had her done and she never looked back.
|
eddieh
|
| Victoria wrote: | | How old is Tegan? |
Nearly 18 months
|
eddieh
|
We took Tegen to the vet this afternoon. He suspects that she is suffering from what he describes as low level pyometra. We're taking her back tomorrow morning so that they can do some tests to ascertain whether spaying is advisable tomorrow but it sounds like she'll be coming out with less bits than she will have when she goes in.
She seems quite happy and lively at the moment so I'm not concerned that she is suffering in any way and am hopeful that, in the not too distant future, the only consequence of this will be the lack of seasons.
|
Patricia
|
Glad Tegen is well. Those pyos are awful. My daughter used to work at our vet's and some of the horror stories with those... 
And you don't have long to act if the bitch has a bad pyometra.
Tegen is young, shame about her seasons.
Why would Amanda want to castrate you Eddie??? 
|
eddieh
|
| Patricia wrote: | Glad Tegen is well. Those pyos are awful. My daughter used to work at our vet's and some of the horror stories with those...
And you don't have long to act if the bitch has a bad pyometra.
Tegen is young, shame about her seasons.
Why would Amanda want to castrate you Eddie??? |
Because I told her I would show Remi and I understood that a dog has to be complete to be shown. Is this not the case?
Regarding Tegen. As I said, we were going to have her spayed anyway. As long as this illness doesn't cause her any additional grief, I'll be fairly happy.
|
Ghilliegumdrop
|
Bitches get over spaying a damn sight quicker than woman do Eddieh so don't worry about it  You can show a castrated dog.....BUT.......they rarely get placed as the judges work on the priciple that he cannot pass on his good qualities so what's the point 
|
Patricia
|
"that he cannot pass on his good qualities so what's the point"
Yes Janet, but...testicules or not 
The dog has to have more than that to pass on his "good qualities". He has to be an excellent specimen in either conformation( at least!) and in work too, don't you think!!!  Ancestors too???
Eddie, I guess we'll see you lots in the show ring then? We look forward to meeting you
Don't worry about Tegen...She is a young bitch. When unsure about something it is best to consult the vet. I only mentionned pyometras( quite common) as unless you know what you are looking for, they can make a dog very ill very quickly, that is all.
All the best...
Patricia
|
eddieh
|
If she is spayed, will she be ok for the training day at the end of May. If so, maybe I should fly a Breton flag on my car or caravan so you can spot it on the A14
I'll be doing a fair bit of brain picking regarding showing as I haven't a clue.
|
Patricia
|
You will be surprised how quickly they recover...I had my bitch spayed ( as I have them done at about 7) and she was entered for a show working certificate 3 weeks later. I thought it may be too soon, but she was fine. The scar was nice and clean, she was fit so no problems. Aagin, ask the vet really.
Eddie, if you have not got a clue about showing, is it something you wanted to get into and try???
Must admit that with the price of diesel, higher entries fees, and this new docking law, it is not the fun it used to be.
I have been doing it for 20 years now, but it is not the same..ahh, the good old days....
|
eddieh
|
Tegen went to the Vet this morning for a few tests including a scan and blood test. Pyometra has been discounted. They're not sure what the problem is but we've been given some antibiotics for her and will be taking her in to be spayed on Monday morning
| Patricia wrote: |
Eddie, if you have not got a clue about showing, is it something you wanted to get into and try??? |
I made the promise and have no choice
| Patricia wrote: | Must admit that with the price of diesel, higher entries fees, and this new docking law, it is not the fun it used to be.
I have been doing it for 20 years now, but it is not the same..ahh, the good old days.... |
It's only since I've been reading this forum that I've realised what proportion of Brittany owners are interested in the field side of things rather than being purely show people as many gundog people are. I think I am beginning to understand the problems the docking laws are causing people. I must admit that in the past I couldn't see the point of docking in many cases, but this was mainly regarding those breeds that do not work in situations where their tails are exposed to a risk of injury. Having said that, is it the "whiptail" nature of the Irish water Spaniel's tail or something about the nature of the work it does, that makes docking unnecessary?
Good job I don't pay for diesel isn't it
|
Patricia
|
Indeed it is really good to have many working this breed which is essentially a gundog and a tornado at times.
Also really good to have more on the committee who also work them like Guy and John. That is good news for the Brittany. On no accounts should the dual purpose nature of this breed be lost. Really good again that Guy has brought in a new line in the shape of Catja.
I am not going to get into the argument of why dock or not: just remember form and function and how many hundred of years in some cases breeds were docked. In those days, who cared about showing??? 
These breeds were developped for a PURPOSE. I read with interest Ronnie Irving comments in the Dog World and KC gazette. He is right
As for showing, Eddie, why do you have no choice? Gosh, it used to be so hard to have an owner show, never mind someone who asked for a potential show pup!!! Where did I go wrong?????
|
eddieh
|
| Patricia wrote: |
As for showing, Eddie, why do you have no choice? |
Because I said I would.
|
Ghilliegumdrop
|
Good for you
I just meant that a good dog with usually beats a good dog without 
|
eddieh
|
| eddieh wrote: | | Patricia wrote: |
As for showing, Eddie, why do you have no choice? |
Because I said I would. |
The thing is that I did say, when looking at the pups, that I would like to show . Amanda then went out of her way to select the one she thought would show well. If I now decided not to show, I feel that I would be depriving somebody else of a dog and Amanda of the chance to see if that particular pup could realise what she believes it can, so there is a degree of obligation. But. I want to anyway . OK I have got a choice. I am not always, entirely serious
|
sallie
|
Hope all goes ok on Monday - you'll be surprised how quick they bounce back.
|
eddieh
|
Ta.
My only concern is getting Remi to show some restraint.
|
Victoria
|
Best of luck with the showing, Eddie. Go for it!! It is great fun but you do have the odd day !!!!!! It is quite addictive looking through the schedules thinking hey we could go to that one...book a motel and spend the weekend away...etc, etc.
|
Ghilliegumdrop
|
Go into the red on your bank account....wear the wrong clothes and freeze.....wear the wrong clothes and bake. Have a brilliant time with lots of friends while waiting for the group etc etc
|
eddieh
|
| Ghilliegumdrop wrote: | | Go into the red on your bank account....wear the wrong clothes and freeze.....wear the wrong clothes and bake. Have a brilliant time with lots of friends while waiting for the group etc etc |
There is something about you that seems very....VERY.. wrong
I look forward to meeting you
|
Ghilliegumdrop
|
|
eddieh
|
I've been trying to do this,on and off, all night.
Tegen went in to be spayed today. The vet said that there was some infection which could have developed into something more serious.
We've spent all evening trying to stop Remi getting too playful and Tegen getting on the settee. I do not envy my wife tomorrow. Tegen seems a little subdued and completely confused as to why she has to wear a bucket on her head.
350 quid
|
Annie as admin
|
WHAT! £350 - JUST for spaying? In Aberdeenshire mine were done for half that and less, I'll find out what the rate is here soon as I, like Patricia, have my bitches done at 7 ish and Freckles is 7 in July.
Hmmm, a lot of money! 
|
eddieh
|
The spaying was £172.20
The rest is accounted for by by the scan, consultation fees, drugs etc , related to the original problem which led to her being spayed.
Bearing in mind that she has been spayed as part of a treatment to remedy a medical problem, I'm hopeful that we can get a good lump of the total paid by those unprincipled bookies we refer to as insurers.
|
sallie
|
Good luck with trying to keep her quiet Hope that everything is ok and she has had a good night and day - she's healthy and she will bounce back quicker than any human.
|
Annie as admin
|
| Quote: | The spaying was £172.20
|
That's more like it - I hadn't really thought about all the rest of her treatment. Glad you've got insurance, with four it's too expensive for me on a pension, but I'm thinking of insuring Allez.
Annie
|
Liz
|
| eddieh wrote: | | I'm hopeful that we can get a good lump of the total paid by those unprincipled bookies we refer to as insurers. |
I'm sure Tegen will make a quick recovery.
When we had our Sula speyed many years ago, the vet phoned me with great delight after he'd finished - you'll be OK for the insurance, she was starting a pyo  We had no idea this was happening - no symptoms at all, we'd just had her booked in for a "routine" speying.
Anyway, it meant the insurance coughed up for the lot
|
Naomi
|
I was quoted about £130 for cedar, I didn't ask for the quote the vet offered when she was 9 months old!
She's just come out of her second season.
Can a bith be shown if she's spayed?
Naomi
|
eddieh
|
| Naomi wrote: |
Can a bith be shown if she's spayed?
Naomi |
That’s similar to the question I asked about castration. I’d be interested to see the answer. Logically, given the answer I got when I asked about castration, I would think the answer would be yes. Wait a minute though…….Logic………Kennel Club
| Sallie wrote: | | Hope that everything is ok and she has had a good night and day - she's healthy and she will bounce back quicker than any human. |
She’s perky enough but had not been eating properly for a while, is very thin and has no coat whatsoever. It is still dropping out all over the place. Given her illness, however slight, and any confusion or upset that might have been caused by introducing Remi, I don’t know what is causing what. Hopefully her appetite will return to normal over the next week and things will become a bit clearer.
|
Patricia
|
"Can a bitch be shown if she's spayed? "
Yes...But you need permission from the KC.
These wretched vets and neutering everything
If a bitch is having problems, like Tegen, then you have to consider it, and then if the bitch is not for showing etc...
I am glad she is OK. You may consider a cage or a restricted area so she has peace away from the pup. After all she has had her ovaries removed and she needs to rest.
£170 is about right. Yes, vets are expensive. But if you don't want to insure and have lots of dogs; What some people do: is put some money aside each month for the " animals". instead of paying huge amounts to insurance. You also have to shop around for those
Lorca was being sick and he has had blood test: his liver is failing, and only this set me for £117!!!
Mind you, he is still running like a maniac as Toscane is now in season and he is still up for it!!! 
|
Patricia
|
Eddie,...If she is ill, have you thought maybe the brewing infection was making her feel unwell
I woul;d put her on a bland diet of chicken rice, maybe scrambled eggs. I think definitely keep her away from that naughty pup so she has a chance to recover
Give her stomach and body a chance to recover.Live yogurt too.
Castrated dog: you can show again with permission form the KC: Howover you may not do so well if he has his" bits" missing. If he is a nice dog. A castrated male who is an excellent animal can beat a lesser dog, but...showing is about betterment of the breed
|
eddieh
|
| Patricia wrote: |
These wretched vets and neutering everything
|
Now you know how some women make us blokes feel
|
eddieh
|
Thanks for the suggestions Patricia
|
Annie as admin
|
Once you have permission from the KC to show a spayed bitch, then a Judge would have no way of knowing whether or not she was spayed so would not place lower just because she couldn't reproduce. It's obvious in a dog and as Patricia says, given two of equal quality the entire dog would be placed higher, but with better quality the neutered dog would be higher (fine in theory, although in practice I find it difficult to place a neutered dog, sorry if that offends, just being honest)
Annie
|
Patricia
|
My turn to be nonest!!!
I have placed a neutered dog higher than others. As a matter of fact, he won his class. But in my opinion, testicules or not, he was better than the rest. I recall it being a difficult class.
|
sallie
|
How is Tegen this evening? It's ever so hot, so i hope she has had some peace.
|
eddieh
|
Hot It's been downright chilly here at times.
Thanks for asking. She's fine. In fact, she's so bright we're going to get her to stand on her hind legs and use her as an up-lighter She's happy, wanting to play (don't worry, we're managing to resist the temptation) and her appetite seems to be returning. The only problem we have so far is getting them to remain calm but we're managing I think. Remi responds to "Leave" quite well for a lot of the time. She's off to see the vet tomorrow. I can't wait to see her eating again. You can feel her vertebrae quite easily when stroking her
|
sallie
|
Hi Eddie, how did Tegen get on at the vets today? Hope that she is still improving.
|
eddieh
|
Her appointment isn’t until late this afternoon. In the meantime, “pester pup” is being taken to a puppy party, as much to give Tegen and her human protectors a break as anything. Then, later, I’m going to take him with me as I try to find the agility class she should have gone to last week so I can explain why she wont be there this week either.
|
sallie
|
Hi Eddie, out of interest how is Tegen doing?
|
eddieh
|
Hello Sallie
Thanks for your interest
We took Tegen to see the vet yesterday (not Wed' as I thought) and he said she was fine. She has started eating and I hope she will recover the weight she has lost plus a little as she was always a bit on the thin side. Also ,there is nothing of her coat at the moment so I'm hoping that will improve. Restraining the pair of them remains the biggest problem, but, if she has managed not to rip her stitches so far, I'm hopeful that we can avoid that happening in the future.
We took Remi to the place where we were hoping to take Tegen for agility so that we could explain the situation to the woman who holds the classes. She seemed to think that Tegen should be ok for agility the week after having her stitches out but obviously, I'll take the advice of our vet. Very nice lady, even though Remi did wee on her foot within a couple of minutes of meeting her
|
|
|
