Estrus Symptoms After Spaying in Dogs

Your dog may develop symptoms shortly after the operation, especially if she was already in heat. Symptoms may be cyclical and resemble a normal period of estrus. Try to see a veterinarian during the time your dog is exhibiting symptoms:

• Swelling of the vulva
• Increased licking of the vulva
• Vaginal bleeding
• Behavioral changes
• Lifting the tail (flagging)
• Standing to be mounted

Types

There are four periods to a female dog’s reproductive cycle. The first two constitute the fertile period of being in heat:

• Proestrus – the pre-mating period which lasts for 7-10 days, symptoms include swollen vulva and vaginal bleeding
• Estrus – the mating period which lasts up to 10 days, symptoms include flagging and attempted mating
• Diestrus – the period when your dog is either pregnant or resting between mating cycles, it can last from 10 to 140 days
• Anestrus – the non-fertile dormant period which lasts until the beginning of the next proestrus.

The time between cycles as well as the length of the mating period can vary based on the breed and the individual dog.

• Failure to remove all of one or both ovaries during surgery
• Accidental dropping of ovarian tissue into the abdominal cavity during surgery
• Ectopic ovarian tissue – ovarian tissue which develops in another part of the body (rare)

Surgical error or poor technique is the cause of most problems, although occasionally a dog may have a genetic abnormality and generate ectopic tissue outside the ovaries.

The veterinarian will be able to diagnose a swollen vulva and signs of bleeding on a physical examination. Anesthetic may be required to make a more thorough examination and insert a catheter to check that the blood is not coming from the urethra. Vaginoscopy will allow the veterinarian to examine the inside of the vagina to check for injuries or other problems. Biopsies of the vagina will often be also taken to evaluate estrogen levels. Bloodwork can often show elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone as well.

Ultrasound of the abdomen will usually reveal the presence of abnormal tissue. Some tissue can be difficult to see, so, if your dog has strong symptoms of estrus, the vet may decide to perform exploratory surgery even if the mass is not visible. Biopsies will be taken and any removed tissue will be evaluated for malignancy.

Treatment of Estrus Symptoms after Spaying in Dogs

Surgery is the recommended treatment for ORS. The surgery is called an exploratory laparotomy. This is typically a low risk surgery, similar to the ovariohysterectomy that is performed during spaying, although the remaining tissue may be more difficult to locate. Your dog will likely be released the next day. You will need to check the incision for signs of infection and the veterinarian will schedule a two week follow-up appointment.

Some dogs with additional medical issues may not be good candidates for surgery. If this is the case, the veterinarian may still be able to treat your dog’s symptoms with medications that prevent her from going on heat, including megestrol acetate and milbolerone. You should discuss any medication with your veterinarian as these drugs often have significant side effects.

Most dogs who receive surgery make a full recovery and do not have any further complications. If possible, it’s advisable to treat the condition through surgery, however. The longer the tissue remains in the body, the more likely it is to develop into a cancerous tumor. Studies of groups of dogs with ORS have found a link between the length of time after the original ovariohysterectomy and the development of malignant neoplasia.

If your dog is not able to have surgery, or if the veterinarian is not successful in finding the abnormal tissue, then the condition will have to be managed with medication. Try to use the medication with the least number of side-effects and the lowest possible dose. The behavioral changes in your dog can be difficult to manage, but they are not necessarily hazardous to her health. The main risk with untreated ORS is the increased chance of cancer development and this isn’t greatly affected by medication.