Are there any supplements that could or maybe should be given to a bitch in her first season? Is feeding her the normal diet sufficient and how long does the season normally last? Is day one considered to be the day we first noticed the bleeding?

We are doing the usual recommendations,walking on a lead,very early morning and later at night.Not walking her from home to the park but using the car for the short journey there etc.(Although with the amount of organic manure we put onto our garden yesterday I'd be surprised if anyone could detect a bitch in season here :D )

Would a 3month gap after the season finishes,be the appropriate time to get her spayed?

Many thanks,
Jacqueline :)

A season really lasts for at least four weeks but that is because the season actually starts around a week before the discharge starts. The first thing you know about it is the actual start of the discharge and for that reason this is considered to be the start time!

From the start of the discharge the season lasts for around 21 days give or take a couple. The peak is normally the second week and the discharge generally changes from red to clear during this period although some dogs only seem to bleed for a few days. (Never my Labs though! They bleed to the bitter end! :( ) Don't take any chances during this period, a bitch may behave totally contrary too her usual manner.

If it is your intention to spay then a time approximately three months after the end of the season would be about right. (Assuming of course that she has come into season at around the usual 6 to 9 month mark.)

Best wishes, John

Feeding Raspberry Leaf tablets from day 1 of the season for 12 weeks can help prevent phantom pregnancies which can be quite distressing for the bitch and the owner.  Evening Primrose Oil can also assist in this area.