Hi all, saw the one of the girls from my last litter today, apart from being a bit overweight she looks great :D
But it turns out she came into season Jan 2002 for the first time, normal, & hasn`t had another one since, she will be 3yrs old in April 2004. I`d say something wrong somewhere, hormaonal probs maybe? what do you think? Her mum & litter sisters have all been normal every 6mths, except her dams litter sister who only had 2 seasons(first at age 13/14mths) by the age of 2+halfyrs old & was then spayed. She lives with an elderly male spaniel, 14yrs old.
Not long back in & now back out with the dogs so be back bit later :)

Christine, Spain.

Just me again in case this gets lost :)
Books are packed away & others on loan, but I`m in n out loft/boxes trying to find the ones I need, any thoughts in the mean time please tho would be a help :)

Christine, Spain.

She's not having silent seasons is she Christine? How experienced is the owner? Could they be missing very mild seasons? Particulaly if the bitch is very good at cleaning up after herself? If she really is not having seasons then there is a problem somewhere.

Many years ago when my mentor at obedience qualified a bitch for the first time for the obedience ring at Crufts, the bitch came into season just before the big day. He went to the vets to see if there was anything which could be done and the vet gave him the then drug used to stop the season. From that time on her seasons were very irratic, often missing for long periods of time.

I also knew a very erratic Border Collie. I do know that the BC lived a long life and died of a totally unrelated problem. Saying that, If this one really is that irratic I think I would spay. Pyo seems to be a risk to me.

Best wishes, John

Hi J, thanks :)
They`re not experienced with girls but are with the males! She`s the first one It was their old male who alerted them to her last heat, they emailed me but cos I`d lost that addy they got no answer from me & thought?? Tho they saw Bern regular but didn`t like to mention it & when we wern`t in rush today it came out. She also had limp when younger that moved from front limb to back, you don`t want to know what I said when heard what EX vet said it was without any xrays or background history!I was glad to hear it went after wk/10 days never to be seen again :d. They know about closed/silent heats I don`t think they`d miss it :) Oh yes I asked what vet said & answer nothing to worry about hmmmm.

The only medications she`s had was rymadil for said limp for a week. Of course vaccs/fleas/worms but is out of date by 6mths for vacs & bout the same for fleas/worms. No objections at all to spay J, pyo also was in the forfront of mind, but need to know why no heats first
Very first thoughts where hormonal/=thyroid? Remember she is a close relative to auto immune probs. I`m looking for J. Dodds papers but can I find them...no!!!
Strange one eh J?

Christine, Spain.

Hi Christine and John,

Can you tell me what signs (if any) there are of a closed or silent heat please?  Saffy was two in October and has only had one season (that I am aware of).  Although I know her litter sister has had two, I was not too concerned (some humans don't have regular oestrus cycles).  If you think something may be wrong however, I would like to know.  She seems her usual self - no sign of any illness.  thanks

Fiona and Saffy

Hi Alexanders, I`ve no direct experience of pyometra only what I`ve read & other peoples. The symptoms can be pretty non specific, lethargy, fever or anything out of the ordinary. Usually occurs approx 6wks after being in season but can also happen shortly after it, it`s something you need to be aware of of in bitches that haven`t been speyed, its an infection of the womb & needs immediate treatment, usually the removal of the uterus & is not usually a problem in bitches as a whole:) I don`t think pyometra is the problem with my girl so don`t want to worry you unnecessary :)

Christine, Spain.

Thanks Christine.  Hope your girl is okay though.

Fiona and Saffy

Question for you. Thinking of the Auto Immune thing. If a gene gets damaged can it be passed on as a hereditory problem? My guess is yes. (Though obviously not before the event :) )

Best wishes, John

When I first read your post I thought exactly what John has said. I thought silent season? & Pyo springs to mind.
Difficult to know why no season, I'd be tempted to spay her if she were my bitch.
Could they see a reproduction specialist?- who could scan her uterus & check all is normal. :)

Hi Snoopy, no her owners & I are pretty sure it`s not a silent heat/pyo :) I`m going to try find out what to do/who to see next, thanks very much for you`re help :)

Christine, Spain.

Think you know I know it`s more than a guess J! :) Although thats far from the whole explanation & to keep on track with the prob in hand, its first thing in my mind. Does`nt matter how it gets damaged, obviously what gets passed on is whats there at the time ;) thats a very simplistic expanation that I`m too tired right now to go further on.
Still haven`t dragged Dodds note out yet but a very quick google tells me I should have a read of them again asap :)
I can`t say this is totally unexpected, I`ve been quietly waiting for something like this & each day it hasn`t has been a bonus. I`ll let you know what I find out :)

Christine, Spain.

Thyroid trouble can cause a bitch to miss seasons or have no seasons.
Perhaps the vet can do T4 blood tests etc?
If you put a search in for Jean Dodds I'm sure it should bring up the
articles that you need.

Thanks folks :) Found J Dodds notes online late last night & then found my own this morning, I had them cos I went to a seminar she did in UK so they`ve been dug out now :)
She`ll have a full thyroid panel test hopefully Boxing day or shortly after so maybe have results back early New Yr.
Can`t believe vet said it`s nothing to worry about!

Christine, Spain.