Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,,
Could some please tell me when my little Ruby Ann (chihuahua) will have her first heat?
She is 6 months old now and I plan on getting her fixed soon,but need to wait till I have time off from work next month so I can be home with her the following few days afterwards. As the vet said that sometimes they might bother there stitches and if she did she would need to have a collar on then. I just want to watch her myself.Hope I still have time before she goes into heat, and I forgot to ask the vet when she would have her first heat.
Thanks,
Sheryl

Hi Sheryl,

Every breed is different when it comes to the first heat. At 6 months your little girl is most likely very close to hers. Hopefully it will be when you have your time off, but even so at this stage the sooner may be better for the spay.
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

I had the same question and am glad it was asked.
Also- I thought I heard and read that you should let them go through one heat cycle before fixing them. I really don't want to do that- because I am pregnant and am due right at that time. So I would like to get her fixed asap. Is this ok?
Do they keep the dog overnight when the spay them?

It really is better to have the spay before the first heat cycle. Unless you can 100% gaurantee the dog won't come in contact with a male dog and if you are prepared to deal with the blood you can wait. With your being pregnant I would think having the spay would be the lesser of two evils. Yes, more than likely the vet will keep the dog overnight. The spay is a little more invasive than a neuter for a male dog. Your girl should be ready to come home the next day. If your vet doesn't offer one, be sure to ask for an E collar just in case the dog starts licking at the sutures. Good luck on both accounts!!
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If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.