Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. However, she can become pregnant until the end of the cycle. Once estrus begins, it may take awhile for the cycle to become regular.
Some dogs can take up to eighteen months until their cycle becomes regular. Once it does, the average is about every six months. Smaller breeds may go into heat more frequently, as often as times a year. Larger dogs, like Irish Wolfhounds , St. Bernards and Great Danes may only go into heat every months. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are two different regions of the brain. The pituitary gland produces and secretes follicle-stimulating hormone FSH and luteinizing hormone LH.
Collectively, these glands are part of the endocrine system. GnRH is the initiating hormone, although the stimulus that triggers its release from the hypothalamus is still a bit of a mystery. But we do know what GnRH does. As the name suggests, FSH causes the ovarian follicles to develop, but it also serves another vital role.
Estrogen is responsible for most of the physical and behavioral changes displayed by a female Rottweiler who is in heat. A surge of LH is secreted from the pituitary gland when the blood estrogen levels drop, and it triggers ovulation the release of eggs from the follicles. Progesterone contributes to the build-up of the lining in the uterus, which makes it ready to receive fertilized eggs. Now, we need to look at what happens internally, externally, and behaviorally during each of the four phases of the estrus cycle.
The external and behavioral changes are how you can tell what phase of the estrus cycle a female is in. This is vital because intact female Rottweilers have to be monitored carefully to prevent unintentional mating, undesirable pregnancies, and the associated risks.
The average duration of the proestrus phase is nine days. But in some individual dogs, it can be as short as three days or as long as three weeks. In response to the increased FSH, the ovarian follicles develop, getting ready to release eggs. The rising estrogen levels cause LH secretion to be suppressed.
LH is still being produced in response to GnRH, but it is stored in the pituitary gland until estrogen levels drop.
Estrogen levels peak at the end of proestrus, triggering what is called a negative feedback loop. A negative feedback loop is when a certain concentration of a hormone, in this case, estrogen, stops the production of more of that hormone.
The estrogen negative feedback loop involves inhibiting the production and secretion of FSH, so it cannot signal the ovaries to make more estrogen. Throughout proestrus, the vaginal discharge becomes thinner and less bloody. Then towards the end of proestrus, the vulvar swelling and discharge often subside completely. During proestrus, a female Rottweiler might show some interest in a male, especially towards the end of this phase.
However, she will not allow any mounting or mating. The Rottweiler female may also be seen licking her vulva more frequently as the swelling and discharge can become uncomfortable. If you have ever heard anything about what a female dog is like when she is in heat, then you have probably at least heard about the vaginal discharge and licking. But if these are not actually symptoms of estrus, then why are the external and behavioral changes associated with proestrus so often listed as signs that a dog is in heat?
Well, this is one of those things that, while technically incorrect, is more useful than the technically accurate version.
Firstly, the external signs of the true estrus phase are not always as visible as the proestrus signs. Secondly, a dog can move very quickly from proestrus to estrus. So, treating a dog as being in heat during proestrus and estrus, you are better able to track her cycle and keep her from becoming accidentally pregnant. Estrus is the phase when a Rottweiler is physiologically in heat, so this is when mating will occur if permitted, and puppies will most likely be conceived if the Rottweiler does mate.
The estrogen negative feedback loop that is initiated at the end of proestrus means that the start of estrus is marked by a significant drop in the blood levels of estrogen. Estrogen no longer suppresses the release of LH from the pituitary gland, so the blood levels of LH spike around 24 to 48 hours into estrus. As LH reaches the ovaries, it triggers ovulation the release of eggs.
LH is no longer being produced because of a separate negative feedback loop involving suppression of GnRH, so LH levels quickly fall again. You will be likely to tell that something is wrong based on other signs. Your dog might show signs of depression or be lethargic and refuse food. Other signs include excessive water intake, increased urination, and pale mucous membranes.
This type of infection can often involve multiple organ systems and be life-threatening. Vets can diagnose this type of infection through an exam, as well as blood, urine, and radiological tests.
Your vet will need to stabilize your dog and treat the infection first. After these steps, a spay will usually be done. Your dog will be more likely to have a long, enjoyable life. According to Pet Ponder , there are several steps you can take to prevent your Rottweiler from getting pregnant.
Although spaying is the best course of action, you may need to wait or may want to breed your dog. The good thing to know is that there are some steps you can take to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Avoid letting your female out unsupervised while she is in heat. If your yard is not fenced, keep her leashed or use a kernel with a roof cover.
Spray Any areas where she has pottied with bleach to discourage males. Confine any intact males to another part of the house or use crates to prevent accidental matings. Avoid taking the female out through the room where the male is. Your vet may be able to give your dog an injection to pause her heat cycle. Although this is not a solution you will be able to use all the time, it might give you some time until you can have your Rottie spayed. A dog heat cycle only happens once or twice a year.
The canine estrus cycle commonly referred to as the dog heat cycle occurs every 6 to 12 months. Rottweilers can reach puberty as early as 6 months of age, though females generally do not experience their first heat cycle until 12 to 18 months of age. Do you want to breed your female dog, but you wonder what age is too old?
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