Unspayed 7 year old female

[llcornell]

I have a couple questions I have a foster dog who is age 7 and for several reasons cannot undergo anesthesia. She will be a forever foster and has no possibility of ever being near other dogs or unaltered males. A couple weeks ago her peepee swelled huge and her nipples enlarged but she never bled...they went down after about a week? Is this her heat?
Do heat cycles stop as they age?
Any information on what to expect at her age being unspayed would be appreciated.

[Yorkiedaze]

I would ask the Vet. what he things. She may need a good check up & x-ray.

[bjh]

It is very possible that she did go through a heat cycle. As they get older some have heat cycles less often and some do bleed less. They are still very capable of getting pregnant.

[llcornell]

Originally Posted by bjh

It is very possible that she did go through a heat cycle. As they get older some have heat cycles less often and some do bleed less. They are still very capable of getting pregnant.

Thank you I appreciate your response. We have many other very serious issues we are dealing with so my time with the vet has been spent asking questions on more urgent life threatening matters other than her heat cycle and what to expect.
I had thought by the swelling she must be in heat but never saw blood so really didnt know. I had wondered if the heat cycles are less often or maybe even none at all. I am not familiar at all with unaltered females.

[bjh]

I am sorry your girl is having so many problems. What kind of issues does she have? It is wonderful that you are trying to help her. Why can't she ever be around other dogs?

[llcornell]

Originally Posted by bjh

I am sorry your girl is having so many problems. What kind of issues does she have? It is wonderful that you are trying to help her. Why can't she ever be around other dogs?

Its kinda a long list of issues...she has hydrocephalus, bilateral luxating patellas resulting in coxa vera (her legs are so deformed she can hardly walk) she weighs just over one pound and we have been advised to not vaccinate her. Her biggest problem we are facing is her teeth are very bad we have consulted with several vets and none feel with her size and fraility they can put her under anesthesia safely. We are researching a more options for her teeth and in the meantime trying to get her very healthy with diet and supplements.
I do have 3 other yorkies living in my house that are vaccinated and altered but she is to small and frail to be out freely with them. She has her own xpen area that she lives in for her safety.

[Jacksmom052709]

Originally Posted by llcornell

Its kinda a long list of issues...she has hydrocephalus, bilateral luxating patellas resulting in coxa vera (her legs are so deformed she can hardly walk) she weighs just over one pound and we have been advised to not vaccinate her. Her biggest problem we are facing is her teeth are very bad we have consulted with several vets and none feel with her size and fraility they can put her under anesthesia safely. We are researching a more options for her teeth and in the meantime trying to get her very healthy with diet and supplements.
I do have 3 other yorkies living in my house that are vaccinated and altered but she is to small and frail to be out freely with them. She has her own xpen area that she lives in for her safety.

The poor baby - so glad that you are fostering her and trying to get her healthy. We had a female Sheltie in the past and sometimes when she would go into heat, we would not see much, if any blood. She was really good about keeping herself clean. So, your little one may have been in heat but with her being so small, I would venture to say the blood would be minimal.

About her teeth, I have been using a combination of Dentastix (one a day - the mini ones) and Tropiclean Fresh Breath Gel - it works wonders. Jack's teeth were not the best, but using this combination, the tartar is slowing going away and his breath is not nearly as stinky as it was. Maybe this would help with your little one. Good luck with her.

[llcornell]

Originally Posted by Jacksmom052709

The poor baby - so glad that you are fostering her and trying to get her healthy. We had a female Sheltie in the past and sometimes when she would go into heat, we would not see much, if any blood. She was really good about keeping herself clean. So, your little one may have been in heat but with her being so small, I would venture to say the blood would be minimal.

About her teeth, I have been using a combination of Dentastix (one a day - the mini ones) and Tropiclean Fresh Breath Gel - it works wonders. Jack's teeth were not the best, but using this combination, the tartar is slowing going away and his breath is not nearly as stinky as it was. Maybe this would help with your little one. Good luck with her.

Thank you so much for your response I had thought the bleeding maybe minimal as they get older but really didnt know. I have fostered many young dogs that went into heat before spay and they bled to much to just let them be without panties.
I have a biotene gel that is suppose to disolve plaque but she really needs a couple of these little teeth pulled if not all. She has the worst teeth Ive ever seen

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by Jacksmom052709

The poor baby - so glad that you are fostering her and trying to get her healthy. We had a female Sheltie in the past and sometimes when she would go into heat, we would not see much, if any blood. She was really good about keeping herself clean. So, your little one may have been in heat but with her being so small, I would venture to say the blood would be minimal.

About her teeth, I have been using a combination of Dentastix (one a day - the mini ones) and Tropiclean Fresh Breath Gel - it works wonders. Jack's teeth were not the best, but using this combination, the tartar is slowing going away and his breath is not nearly as stinky as it was. Maybe this would help with your little one. Good luck with her.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by llcornell

Its kinda a long list of issues...she has hydrocephalus, bilateral luxating patellas resulting in coxa vera (her legs are so deformed she can hardly walk) she weighs just over one pound and we have been advised to not vaccinate her. Her biggest problem we are facing is her teeth are very bad we have consulted with several vets and none feel with her size and fraility they can put her under anesthesia safely. We are researching a more options for her teeth and in the meantime trying to get her very healthy with diet and supplements.
I do have 3 other yorkies living in my house that are vaccinated and altered but she is to small and frail to be out freely with them. She has her own xpen area that she lives in for her safety.

I don't think I have ever heard of a yorkie that small. How long have you been caring for her? She is lucky to have you. I pray does okay.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Jacksmom052709

The poor baby - so glad that you are fostering her and trying to get her healthy. We had a female Sheltie in the past and sometimes when she would go into heat, we would not see much, if any blood. She was really good about keeping herself clean. So, your little one may have been in heat but with her being so small, I would venture to say the blood would be minimal.

About her teeth, I have been using a combination of Dentastix (one a day - the mini ones) and Tropiclean Fresh Breath Gel - it works wonders. Jack's teeth were not the best, but using this combination, the tartar is slowing going away and his breath is not nearly as stinky as it was. Maybe this would help with your little one. Good luck with her.

In addition to this suggestion, I would check with your vet to see if he thinks a prophylaxis dosing of antibiotic would keep her from eventually developing any organ issues because of the bacteria from those teeth....I
had a tiny female I took in years ago....she was too small to put under, and the vet just put her on a low dose antibiotic....she had her little chews, and that helped get the loose teeth worked out....and that antibiotic dosing prevented organ involvment from bacteria from bad teeth. Bless your heart for taking this tiny little girl in...my little bitty baby girl also had her own little playlen...she could not play with any other dogs for fear of injuring her....she ended up having a pretty long life (13 years) and she never knew what it was to play with other dogs, so she did not miss that...it was just she and I and she was happy, I think.....I had her absolutely spoiled rotten!

[llcornell]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

In addition to this suggestion, I would check with your vet to see if he thinks a prophylaxis dosing of antibiotic would keep her from eventually developing any organ issues because of the bacteria from those teeth....I
had a tiny female I took in years ago....she was too small to put under, and the vet just put her on a low dose antibiotic....she had her little chews, and that helped get the loose teeth worked out....and that antibiotic dosing prevented organ involvment from bacteria from bad teeth. Bless your heart for taking this tiny little girl in...my little bitty baby girl also had her own little playlen...she could not play with any other dogs for fear of injuring her....she ended up having a pretty long life (13 years) and she never knew what it was to play with other dogs, so she did not miss that...it was just she and I and she was happy, I think.....I had her absolutely spoiled rotten!

Thank you <3
I do have her on clindamycin. She has been on it about the whole 7 weeks Ive had her. I have several different chews and she shows a bit of interest but just isnt really chewing much on them. Did most of your little ones teeth fall out? I hate the idea of waiting for her teeth to fall but sadly that may be her only option.
I know the previous owner that had her kept her alone for 7 years so like you said she knows nothing of playing with other dogs. She is super sweet and happy just being held and loved. One of my dogs lays up against her pen now and then and when I hold her sitting on the couch they sniff her and lay next to me so she isnt completely isolated she just isnt let on the floor with them like you said for fear of injury. I have another very rambuncious one year old foster who would never intentionally hurt her but is just to active and playful to even get near. I can see how easy it is to spoil them rotten...we are well on our way there....she has completely stollen my heart. I hope she can live to be 13like yours. I read the hydrocephelus babies dont live as long as others