Prolonged estrus in a GS - Page 1

Has anyone had experience with a very prolonged estrus in a young GS. My girl is on her first heat at 25 months of age (very late onset) and it has been five full weeks since the first show of blood. She is now very swollen in the vulvular area and some bloody discharge (which is more red than pink) is still appearing. I will take her to the vet on Tuesday (first day he will be in) to evaluate. I have been reading and it could be caused by follicles on the ovaries, ovarian tumor or vWD? Anyone had experience with this? Thanks in advance.

Just some questions redcap... have you had this girl all her life, so you know for certain she has not been in heat??? Is this the first time you have ever seen blood from her? Has she been discharging the whole 5 weeks? It is possible she may have had a split heat.... There are numerous causes for irregular heat cycles and I think your best bet would be to see a reproductive specialist.. unless your vet has an ultrasound machine and is very good at reproductive issues.... keep us posted, please

Thanks DKiah, this is her first heat. I've had her since she was 4 mos old. I have a young male that is a very good thermometer of a female's heat cycle. There has been no previous interest on his part nor any show of blood. But he started showing interest on Mar 11 and is in the terminal stages of heartsickness ever since. I can't let him breed her as I don't have the OFA cert for her yet and I wouldn't usually breed a female on her first heat. I had her X-rayed on Mar 10 and both the vet and I looked for signs of heat and saw nothing. Then the very next day my boy started showing interest in her backside and I looked and, sure enough, a little blood. (Did not submit the X-rays because of this.) She has been in heat ever since growing steadily more swollen, but the blood discharge has not lessened, but gotten more and more. I just don't know if she has follicles that won't resolve or a reproductive abnormality. My vet is good with German Shepherds and interested in reproductive problems, but I was just wondering if anyone had experience with this and what was the outcome. Thanks again.

My bitch bleeds for a full 30+ days while in estrus. She ovulates around day 22. It scared me at first too because everyone told me it should be about 14 days of bleeding, and that she wouldn't get pregnant. I bred her for the first time in Febuary and have a litter due in a couple days now of 6+ puppies. I do think it is very strange that this is her first heat... perhaps she may have had silent heats before? I'm not sure what else may cause this. The breeder who owns the stud dog I bred my bitch to said she has a breeder friend who's bitch ovulates on day 25 and bleeds for 3 weeks past that, and still gets pregnant every time. It's strange but really is not a problem except you have to deal with the mess longer!!!