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	Bitch who does not bleed when in Season Q: can you please tell me why a bitch who is obviously in season ie very swollen, attracted to and by males and standing for them, has not shown any bleeding. She had one 'normal' season 6 months ago. This time throughout the full 3 to 3 and a half weeks we saw no bleeding but she is now back to normal and not swollen anymore. Is this normal? Thank you.

A: The bleeding commonly associated with "in season" in the bitch occurs just before true oestrus, the fertile phase where bitches will allow mating. If she has had a normal length of season at her regular time it does not seem probable that the lack of observed bleeding is a sign of a problem. Some
bitches are never observed to bleed possibly because they clean themselves so frequently and some will simply produce less of a bleeding stage than others. Often, once established bitches will have very similar oestrus signs and behaviour, you do not mention how old she - if she is still young and this is only a second season she may just be showing a little variation as she matures. If you intend to breed commercially it is possible to investigate hormonal status by blood sampling and checking cells swabbed from the vagina to allow timing of mating so bleeding, which is a variable sign, is not essential to plan a mating.
Hazel Johnston MRCVS
(Vet for PetPlanet)

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