Living with an unspayed female means knowing her cycle, and recognising pyometra, a womb infection that is an emergency.
Most females come into season about every six months, though some breeds only once a year. A season often lasts around three weeks, with swelling and bleeding at first and the fertile days usually in the middle. Keep her on the lead and away from intact males throughout, and log every season in the app so you learn her rhythm.
One to two months after a season, many females show signs of pregnancy without being pregnant: nesting, mothering toys, mood changes and even milk. It usually passes within a few weeks. Avoid touching the teats, which stimulates milk, and contact your vet if she seems unwell or it keeps coming back.
Pyometra is a life-threatening infection of the womb, most common in middle-aged and older females in the weeks after a season. Drinking more, tiredness, poor appetite, vomiting, a swollen belly or discharge from the vulva mean a vet visit the same day. Sometimes there is no discharge at all.
Correct answer: About every six months
Most females come into season about twice a year, though some breeds only once.
Correct answer: Signs of pregnancy without being pregnant
Nesting, mothering toys and even milk can appear one to two months after a season.
Correct answer: In middle-aged and older females in the weeks after a season
Pyometra is a womb infection that usually appears in the weeks after a season.
Correct answer: See a vet the same day
Increased thirst, tiredness and poor appetite after a season can be pyometra, an emergency.
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