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04/15/08

Are Irregular Heat Cycles a Cause for Concern?
Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM

I have a 15-month-old female reindeer type
Chihuahua that has been going about halfway into
heat. Then she stops. I do plan to spay her but was
wondering if there could be a serious problem
that’s causing this?

Tammy
Jacksonville, FL

It is very unlikely that your dog has a serious problem.

Heat cycles are controlled by hormones. And, especially in younger animals, hormones sometimes seem to have a mind of their own. As anyone who has lived through their teenage years can attest, hormonal surges and ebbs are the norm during the transition to adulthood.

What you are seeing with your dog probably is temporary. If you did nothing, she most likely would begin to cycle normally over time. However, since you are planning on spaying her, I recommend that the procedure be performed soon. Spaying her will eliminate the chaos that the hormonal fluctuations cause in her body.

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