Mismating in dogs
Mismating in dogs
Bitches usually come into season every 6 months, although the exact cycle length can vary between dogs. A season usually begins with approximately 10 days of bleeding, after which the bitch is willing to be mated and can become pregnant. Most bitches are at their most fertile 10-14 days after the first day of bleeding, but because all dogs are different you should assume that your bitch is at risk of becoming pregnant at any time during the three weeks from the first day of bleeding.
I have an entire bitch and dog in the same house – what should I do when my bitch comes into season?
If you do not wish to breed from your bitch we would always recommend spaying your bitch so that this situation does not arise. If you do wish to breed from your bitch in the future, but do not want to breed from your male dog, it would be sensible to castrate the male dog at least 8 weeks before your bitch is likely to come into season. If you do not want to or are unable to neuter either your female or male dog, then we would strongly recommend that you make alternative living arrangements for your male dog during the three week period that your bitch is in season. This could be living with a family member or friend or in kennels. It is not a good idea to keep both in the same house and try to keep the two apart. Dogs will have a very strong desire to mate and may knock down baby gates and open doors to get to each other. Even if the dogs physically cannot reach each other, male dogs can become very frustrated and distressed if they are close to a bitch in season but cannot mate – this can result in howling, loss of appetite, urination inside the house and destructive behaviour. Spaying a bitch prevents unwanted pregnancy, prevents pyometra (infected uterus) and reduces the incidence of mammary cancer.
My bitch has been mated accidentally, what should I do now?
Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, an unwanted mating will occur. The options are as follows:
- Allow the pregnancy to go ahead – As long as you’re comfortable with the idea of your dog having puppies, she is in good health, and you’re confident that suitable homes can be found for the litter,it’s reasonable to allow the pregnancy to continue.
- Spay the bitch. If you do not plan to breed from your bitch in the future we would recommend an ultrasound scan 28 days after the unwanted mating. If an early pregnancy is confirmed, the bitch can be spayed at this point which will prevent progression of the pregnancy and prevent future pregnancy. It is a bigger surgery to spay a dog that is in the early stages of pregnancy but this approach can guarantee that the pregnancy cannot continue and will prevent accidents in the future. If the ultrasound scan is negative, spaying can be arranged 3 months post season. Keyhole surgery is not an option when the bitch is pregnant.
- Hormonal injections to prevent or terminate unwanted pregnancy. A course of two injections, 24 hours apart can be given. This can be given at any time after the unwanted mating, up to 45 days after mating. For the termination to be successful implantation must have occurred, so to avoid repeat courses being required we recommend waiting 10-14 days post mating. It is more effective and less unpleasant for the dog when it is given within 21 days of mating. Possible side effects of the injection include vaginal discharge or passing of foetuses, depression, reduced appetite and swollen mammary tissue. Because the injections must be given 24 hours apart, we do not start the course on a Saturday. The injection is expensive for the course of two injections depending on the weight of the dog. It is important not to allow any further mating after the injections have been given as the injections do not protect against future matings later in the season.
An ultrasound scan can be performed 10 days post treatment (at least 28 days post mating) to confirm successful termination. If a visible pregnancy is found the course of injections can be repeated.