[gemy]

It sounds very much like your gal is in heat. Generally normal heats lasts 21 days, the first week or so would be clear discharge, and yes the vulva swells, and yes there is more cleaning/licking of the area, the next week blood spotting occurs (although with a very clean gal ie one that is very good at keeping herself clean, you might not notice any blood drops), and the third week they go out of heat.

Treat her as if she is in heat for at least 21 days from today. That means you must protect her from "accidental" matings. No un-supervised play outside- even in your backyard. I would not walk her in public at all. If she needs to go to the vet, place her in her crate and try to get either the first or last appointment of the day.

If her heat lasts longer than 21 days, and or there is a lot of blood, and or if the discharge is any other color but clear, this requires a vet visit, as something is wrong. Also if she starts t o run a temperature.

I am assuming she is the only un-altered dog in your household and if so the above advice should keep her safe from an unwanted pregnancy.

I am a little surprised though, that given you wanted to keep her intact, you had not already discussed with your vet the signs and symptoms of heat and how to safeguard a female dog in heat.

You also might want to check out our library on breeding.... given that you may want to breed her. There are several good articles: So you want to be a Breeder? is one such article.