Reasons behind delayed menstruation in dogs and treatment methods

Reasons behind delayed menstruation in dogs

Breeders are somewhat puzzled about dealing with menstruating dogs. Although most dogs experience heat cycles at regular intervals after their period begins, some dogs suffer from a delay, and irregular heat cycles often indicate that the ovaries are not working properly. True, abnormal hormone levels are usually responsible for the failure to stimulate regular heat cycles, and this article (Animal Care Tr) will detail the reasons for delayed menstruation in dogs and treatment methods.

Reasons behind delayed menstruation in dogs

• Hypothyroidism
• Silent heat cycle
• Malnutrition
• Ovarian problems

1- Hypothyroidism

In some cases dogs suffer from a problem with the thyroid gland; It can cause irregular heart cycles, and in more advanced cases it can cause a period not to come at all, and there is a belief that hypothyroidism is a genetic disease, so you should pay attention to it when dealing with dogs during menstruation.

2- Silent heat cycle

This condition occurs when the female suffers from a heat cycle, without the appearance of normal symptoms such as swelling of the vulva and bleeding, as females remain receptive to males and there is still the possibility of pregnancy, and the veterinarian can verify the existence of a silent heat cycle, by performing progesterone assays, and examination of vaginal cells.

3- Malnutrition

Female dogs who suffer from malnutrition or disease will not be exposed to a heat cycle often. Feed the dogs; Low-quality food, low in fat and protein, can cause the female to not be disclosed to the heat cycle, so if you are planning to raise a female, be sure to offer high-quality food to ensure that her body can produce enough estrogen for a proper heat cycle.

4- Ovarian problems

Many health problems may affect the female ovaries, most notably:

Ovarian hypoplasia

It is a condition in which the ovaries are not fully developed as they are unable to produce enough estrogen for the female to enter a normal temperature cycle, and the mammary glands and vulva remain small.

Ovarian tumor

Tumors develop for many reasons, some cancerous and some benign. When a tumor develops in the ovaries, this can prevent heat cycles. Your vet needs to perform a diagnostic test to determine if a tumor is present and whether or not it is cancerous.

Methods of treating delayed menstruation in dogs

Initially, the vet will need to perform a complete examination of your dog, as well as some routine tests such as a complete blood count, biochemistry panel, and urinalysis.

If you suspect your dog is undergoing silent heat cycles, you will need to see your vet for vaginal cytology and weekly progesterone measurements, to determine the exact days your dog is in heat.

If the dog is diagnosed with ovarian hypoplasia, or other major reproductive problems, such as abnormal heat cycles; It is recommended that she be sterilized, as reproductive difficulties can be hereditary and could indicate that a female dog will not be able to conceive.