Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 9/15/2008

Question
HI, I have a 4 year old female Lhasa apso and a male pug. 5 months ago she came into season and there was an accidental breeding of my two dogs. Even though they tied no litter produced. Since then she has not stopped standing for my pug and even when I stroke her and I have found them tied almost on a daily basis even though she can`t possibly have been in season for 5 months. They are very close and cry when they are not together and she is in perfect health except for this. There hasn`t been any sign of any blood except when she had the first tie and no swelling...I have been told that it is impossible for them to tie if there is no swelling or season but that is not the case for my dogs... I am getting my pug neutered but that does not explain why this is happening. Could she have a hormone inbalance??

Answer
Maxine -

There is a possibility that your female is having a false estrus which can be explained by a hormone imbalance. There are blood tests available to determine if she is actually in a false estrus.  

Unless you plan on breeding your female, it is best to have her spayed to avoid the matings and hormonal problems.  

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM