Abnormal estrous cycling is a term used to describe a female dog that is not experiencing normal heat cycles. These abnormalities may include delayed, absent, or irregular cycles. A normal female dog should begin having estrous (heat) cycles by two years of age.
There are several stages in the estrous cycle; the stage called estrus refers to when the female is in heat or is sexually receptive. Once these cycles begin, the dog should experience estrus at regular intervals. Most female dogs cycle every four to ten months, although some dogs may only cycle once per year.
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Additionally, hormonal imbalances and genetic disorders may prevent normal estrous cycles. Some dogs experience a condition called silent heat, in which they do ovulate but the characteristic signs of being in heat, such as vulvar swelling and discharge, are not observed. Although rare, some dogs may also have an autoimmune disease that affects their ovaries and interferes with estrous cycling.
Many owners report that they have not noticed any change in smell when their female is in season, but experiences vary from owner to owner and dog to dog. Some families report that the odor is particularly strong and unpleasant. It may depend on the olfactory sensitivity of the families or the intensity of the odor of the discharge. On the opposite end of the spectrum, most male dogs are able to detect even the subtlest of hormonal changes in an intact female. Since dogs are wired with an innate need to reproduce themselves, they are equipped with sensitive nasal passages that are capable of sensing when a heat cycle is imminent. It is not uncommon to see an intact male dog crazy with lust long before there are any signs of visible discharge or swelling of the vulva. This is due to the extreme sensitivity he has been wired with to allow him to fulfill his role in the reproductive process.
Many experienced breeders and pet owners recommend dosing a female dog with liquid chlorophyll at the first signs of heat. This method has proven to be quite effective in reducing the odor and even masking the scent to male dogs. It is not foolproof, however, and in order to have the most efficacy, timing is critical. It must be started at the very beginning of the female's season in order to be a viable scent-reducing option. 2ff7e9595c
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