since the incident with the
since the incident with the vet, i have become well accustomed with the animal section in the library. i have found some very interesting information.
a female dog is most fertile the four (4) days *after* she quits bleeding. these four days are called the estrus, or, 'heat'. the period of time during which her labia swell and she bleeds is called proestrus. she is not fertile and will firmly reject any advances by a male.
and the peeing problem she was having that the vet told me wasnt related to her being in heat? thats right - it is.
during heat, the female dog will produce more urine that usual. this is not a complete emptying of the bladder, but instead just a dribbling. its purpose is to carry with it the phermones sitting on the labia to advertise the dogs fertility. one of the books strongly suggested not letting her urinate on the front lawn.
the swelling in her nipples isnt receeding, either. im concerned that she has a false-pregnancy. where the hormones are pumping as though she were pregnant, even though she isnt.
i need to get her in to see a (different) vet soon, im thinking. bah.
2002