Delilah had her first season aged 18 months, and her second followed 9 months later. Day 1 of her second season was july 1st 2004.  On both of these seasons she started with a few days of very obvious blood, progressed to clear discharge, as expected.  In the last couple of days she has started licking her tail end, which is looking quite messy. i have checked with tissue paper and there is NO evidence of blood, she does not look particularly swollen. She is quite quiet in mood currently.  I suspect that she may be coming into season, but as there is no blood I dont know how far she may be into it. In addition to this, I have an entire male here, and he is showing no interest thus far.
Obviously with an entire male here I need to know if she is in season. Could it be that she is just about to start? Am I likely to see blood soon? As this is presenting nothing like her previous seasons, could it be that it is not a season, and could she have something wrong with her?

If there is no evidence of bloos how is she messy?  Could she be having anal gland trougle whcih is why she is licking.  If she is swollen then I would think a seqason imminnent.  I have had bitches in season with very little swelling, and also very little colour (tissue showing only a little staining for a say or two and then nothing).  Also she xould have cystitis, if it is definately the vulva she is licking.  I suggest a trip to the vet with a urine sample, though sooner you than me trying to get one.  I have heard that an old frying pan works well to slip under the squatting bitch.

Hi Pinklillies
I have just had the same problem with my lab.  I noticed some spots of blood over the floor almost like a paintbrush had been flicked over the floor so I took her to the vet.  He said he was almost 100% sure she was having her first season and that her vulva seemed slightly swollen.  However since that time which was over 10 days ago there has been absolutely nothing so I am beginning to wonder whether it was a season or not.  I did imagine that there would be more blood and more mess.  I took her to the park and no dogs showed interest at all.  She is also only 7 months so perhaps it was just a sign could this be the same with yours do you think?
Van

Well, I gave her a bath this evening and could see a tiny bit of blood around her vulva..and hey presto, Zorro is beginning to look very interested. I shall take it that this is her season starting, and seperate the two of them from now on!

Anna came into season yesterday. Just at the busiest time of year! By the time she's finished the Pheasant season will be nearly finished. :(

The season often starts slowly and if she had not got excited and started to bounce around I may well not have noticed for another couple of days. The best time for the "Toilet Tissue Test" is immediately after they wake up from a sleep. When they stand any discharge which has collected inside will drain down.

Regards, John

Hi John
How are you?
Could it be that sometimes they have a season but it is hard to tell if they have had it or not.  As with Desi the vet seemed to think she was in Season but since that first show of blood flecked across the floor there has been absoultely nothing.  He did tell me that often they lick it away before you see it.
What do you think?
Van

Hi Van. Enjoying my retirement! :)

You have to take each bitch on its own merits. All of my Labradors have always shown a discharge for the full 3 weeks. My Keeper's Springers on the other hand only ever seem to discharge for a few days! Most of mine have had quite heavy seasons until Anna who seems to have quite light ones. They have all come into season for the first time between 6 months (Anna) and 13 months (Mandy) with the usual being hearer 10 months. All have settled into a 10 month cycle with the exception of Anna who sticks to her 6 months!!

Some have worked happily right up to the start of the season, (Mandy), others go broody well before, (Anna) again, some will work immediately after the season finishes, (Anna) whereas others, (Mandy included) have a broody 60 days afterwards when there is no point in trying to work them. Anna also drinks quite a bit heavier when in season.

First seasons can really bother a puppy. Their hormones are raging, they feel sticky and nasty behind and really don't understand what's happening to them. All understandable but something to bear in mind.

There are often little "Giveaway" signs of a bitch coming into season which you pick up over the years. As an example, at the time I had Mandy and Kate. When out for a walk Kate always tried to mark over the top of where Mandy wetted. About 2 weeks before Mandy came into season that would change and Mandy would always watch where Katy went and would mark over the top. Anna also does more "Territorial Marking" when out for a walk just before coming into season and also her work gets more "Slap-dash"

Best wishes, John