Hi all, wondering if anyone can help me. My bitch (a small toy breed) came into season 3 days ago, however her bleeding is very very light and a pale straw colour. She has only had a few bright red blood droplets. Usually my bitches will bleed very very noticeably for the first 10 days. However she is very very swollen and is displaying more dominant behaviour.
I have completed all breed specific health testing health testing, and as I show she is now 2 and a half and a maiden bitch. She comes into season every 9 months. A few people have said they believe I have left it too late for her first litter, (which I disagree with ) and will may now have problems. I own her mother who has textbook seasons. I was wondering if anybody had experienced this before? I would prefer not to do idexx testing as I have done it previously, and it took me three attempts and was quite an added expense considering the stud I am using is half way around England and not the cheapest boy I would prefer to avoid if possible.

Due to the amount of travelling involved I would like to know if people have experienced this before, and whether it is necessary for Idexx testing?

Thanks

> considering the stud I am using is half way around England and not the cheapest boy

No idea about the bleeding but the above statement  says to me that Idexx testing would be extremely worthwhile. Your bitch is older so not many opportunities left to mate her. You have a long and possibly expensive journey to the stud. Your stud fee is also expensive. Why would you even think about saving a few pounds by not testing.  it is really a false economy in your situation.

Hi smithy last time with three tests and three blood tests it cost me around £150 . I don't mind paying however just wanted to know if anyone had experienced light bleeding in seasons as it may just me being stressed and making something out of nothing. If it's not common I will do the idexx. I am relatively inexperienced having only bred three litters and being heavily mentored. I have fallen out with my previous mentor for personal reasons and I would have usually turned to her for advise.

2 1/2 years is about as young as I would mate personally, so ignore those people. I agree the Idexx testing would be worth trying, I know it's not cheap either though!

> she is now 2 and a half and a maiden bitch. She comes into season every 9 months. A few people have said they believe I have left it too late for her first litter, (which I disagree with ) and will may now have problems

Do not disregard this advice - there are key differences with small toy breeds and I've read it on this forum many times that those with expertise in this area do not wait as long as those of us with larger breeds.  Please get breed specific advice and look to your breed club for guidelines too.

> A few people have said they believe I have left it too late for her first litter, (which I disagree with )

Ok, I am pretty well experienced in whelping toy breeds.  But it is very much breed specific opinions that you really need.  I see that someone with Cavvies has said they disagree too.  Fair comment, as responsible Cavvie owners will wait because of the need to heart test.  But they are pretty big compared to the toy breeds that I have owned.

But,, and it's a  big BUT - I will never, ever leave a bitch as late as this.  If my bitches have not had a litter before their 3rd birthday, they are left until they are 4 years old, and then spayed.  As I said, this is breed specific.  But I would not risk a bitch at 2 and a half.  I can only give opinions on Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahua Long Coats.  Chis being my area of expertise (in my own opinion obviously.)

So, if the people "putting you off" are Chi people, please, please listen.  I wouldn't want you to lose your girl because you hadn't taken experienced advice.

Hi - sorry all should make myself clearer.
It is not a chihuahua - slightly more robust. I have left it to this age as one of the tests required is best carried (outaccording to my vet) at aroud 20-22 months when the skeletan is presumed full grown, and as she is a 9 monther for her seasons, it left me little choice to breed her until this age and i was having fun showing her. A few people will complete this x-ray at 12 months but my vet strongly advised against it.

When they say problems - they do not mean risk of losing my girl or with whelping etc, they mean problems with hormones and seasons/fertility. She is displaying all the normal flirtacious behaviour etc, and is very swollen, she just seems to be bleeding much lighter than her mother did and much less than my other girls.
i just wondered if this seems to be the norm or if people believe this may be indication of a early ovulator.

thanks :)

>if anyone had experienced light bleeding in seasons

Yes, medium size breed with some that bleed like mad and some very little, often the same bitch.

I often get very light bleeding the first week or 10 days and get most bleeding in the last week, never had the so said usual straw colour at mating time (so they obviously can't read the books).

I have always where possible always had the bitch to stay with the dog for at least a week, from a few days before she is likely to stand until she no longer shows willingness to be mated to be sure she ahs gone over.

If the stud dog owner will not board the bitch then really your much better off getting the Idexx testing as a couple of wasted journeys to the stud would eat up that amount in fuel.