Expert: Jannie Balliett - 5/27/2009

Question
At what age the first symptpms of estrus occurs ,generally,i have six months old brindle beauty named Mathilda ,should i expect the first symptoms soon?


Answer
Generally, it is close to 1 year old, however, it can be 8-9 months old.

She will swell and enlarge, then a clear liquid seepage, then the bloody discharge. This hea last up to 30 days and comes every 5-6 months; twice a year.

If she doesn't have a heat twice a year (once started her seasons) then have her thyroid checked as it will reduce the seasons to one per year of completely absent of any.

But, she is still quite young and probably won't have her first until closer to 9 months of age or older.

Keep a calendar of her though for accurate records for health.

It has been known too, that they can have a heat at the age of 4 months, but like in female children, this is rare.