About Penny DiLoreto Expertise As a certified veterinary assistant and a dog breeder, with over 16 years of hands on experience, I am qualified to answer questions in the following categories; General pet health issues, dog grooming, puppy socialization, dog breeding, and basic dog training
Experience In accordance with the Veterinary Assistant program requirmements, I completed 200 hours of intern work under the supervision of a licensed Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine, and volunteered the Escondido Humane Society.
Organizations AKC, ACA, and ABA
Publications I have several articles related to; dog grooming, dog behavior issues, and medical topics, printed on various computer websites and free article content sites. If you would like to preview my articles, links to those sites, and articles, are posted on my website located at www.puppies-dot-com.com
Education/Credentials I have a Certificate of Competency from the San Diego Country Regional Occupational Veterinary Assistant Program, and attained Occupational Competencies in the following categories: Animal Handling and Restraint, Vaccines and Injections, Health and safety, Veterinary Laws/Ethics/Industry Data, Biohazard Waste Disposal Laws, Medicating and Grooming Procedures, Medical Math, Breed Identification, and Parasitological studies. I also received an Outstanding Student Award for my accomplishments in these studies from the ROP program.
Awards and Honors I received an, "Outstanding Student Award", from the San Diego ROP Veterinary Assistant program.
Past/Present Clients A partial listing of my past and current clients can be viewed on my website www.puppies-dot-com.com by clicking on the Testimonial Page.
Question my Boston terrier went into her first heat approx. 4 days ago. we were not home and she stays outside with our male Boston terrier. what will happen if she got pregnant this time? she is 10 months old and he is 10 yrs. old. how long will she be in heat for?
Answer Hi Sadie, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to assist you with your question concerning your Boston Terrier.
You wrote that your female dog has only been in heat for 4 days. If this is correct, then I do not belive she mated, or conceived while you were gone. However, anytime after 4 - 7 days from the onset of her heat cycle, it is possible for her to mate and conceive.
The heat cycle in most dogs lasts for 21 days and come in three phases as follows:
Proestrus Stage - (First 7 days of the cycle): This stage begins with the appearance of vaginal bleeding and normally lasts between 4 to 9 days (depending upon the size and breed of dog. Male dogs will be very interested in the female; however, she will not be interested in them, and will actually bite and reject a male if he advances.
Estrus Stage - (Second 7 days of the cycle): The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. Ordinarily, this stage lasts for 4 to 13 days,(again depending upon the size and breed of the dog) and is the time the female will accept the male and actual mating can occur.
Metestrus and Anestrus - (Third 7 days of the cycle): Ovarian activity, but with no significant outward signs. False pregnancies frequently occur during metestrus.
I hope I have be of assistance with your question. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further help. Sincerely, Penny D.
