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6 year old female mixed-breed dog. Still has menses and vaginal bleeding, several times a year. Is she sick or is this normal?
Optional Information: Type of Animal: medium mixed-breed dogGender: femaleAge: 6 years Already Tried: nothing
Hello, I'm Dr. Bob. Has she always had more than two heat cycles per year?
I believe so. I was unsure when her heat cycles should end.
Well, this isn't usual, but it sounds as if it may be normal for your dog. Endometriosis can cause prolonged bleeding, and it may be hormonally influenced to cause the signs you've seen with the heat cycle, but it should probably not have started with her first heat, and should probably have gotten better or worse by now.The solution, of course, would be to have her undergo an ovariohysterectomy. Be sure this is the surgery her veterinarian performs, as some veterinarians have begun doing oophorectomies - removing just the ovaries- and that would not remove any diseased tissue that might be in her uterus. If I may be of further assistance, please let me know.Dr. Bob
Experience: 35 years in practice