Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 6/23/2007

Question
Hi, my 8 month old 50# mixed breed started bleeding 2 weeks ago & is bleeding EVERYWHERE.  I would throw her outside, but it's hot as Hades down here.  She doesn't seem uncomfortable.  When I have put her out, NO males have even come to the fence to sniff which has been strange.  I'm having her spayed as soon as heat is over.  ? is-do they always bleed this much? When should I get concerned that it is too much?  when I put on a diaper it looks no different then a period for a human!  Also, is it true that if you don't let them go into a first heat before spaying that they will have incontinence problems later?

Answer
Some bitches bleed profusely, while some hardly bleed at all.  You can have her spayed now, while she is in heat, but it is a little more difficult and she will bleed from the incision more.  Urinary incontinence can happen in any spayed bitch no matter when the surgery is done. It shows up when the dog is much older, though.