Is it possible to vaccinate a dog during heat: expert opinion

Your beloved dog has changed its behavior and you are concerned and wary. Now you remember that it’s spring outside, and the “girl” is already 6-18 months old. Other thoughts also come to mind, such as that the animal ate something on the street, brought a tick after a walk, and even the fact that the vaccination was never done, with the ensuing consequences.

However, upon closer inspection, you observe bloody discharge from the vulva, and you calm down, realizing that this is estrus - a normal physiological process.

Why not

Vaccination is the introduction into the body of a weakened pathogenic drug that activates immune cells.
An animal should be vaccinated when it is clinically healthy. Estrus is not a disease, but it does pose stress to the body. Hormonal levels and the activity of the brain, nervous and reproductive systems change.

Vaccination during the emptying period may be ineffective and can undermine the health of the pet.

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The vaccine, in the process of hormonal changes in the body, increases the risk of allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest.

There is no need to vaccinate your dog immediately after estrus, you need to wait a while. The procedure is carried out at the stage of sexual stability.

It is important to do vaccinations before the start of a dog's period. If the vaccination plan coincides with the emptying schedule, it is better to reschedule the vaccination to a suitable time.

You cannot vaccinate a bitch during estrus if pregnancy is planned. The ban also applies during lactation.

Basic principles to follow

In any case, the owner is responsible for the health of his pet.
And if you are not indifferent to everything that can happen to your dog, then it is worth foreseeing all possible situations in advance. If estrus is expected soon, then it is necessary to carry out all vaccinations before it starts, in order to maximally avoid negative consequences for the body of your pet.

If the dog has any illness or weakened immunity, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian and also delay the next vaccination for a certain period of time.

All vaccinations must be noted in the pet's health card or passport. It is imperative to ensure that the medical professional indicates the series of the vaccine, as well as its expiration date.

Opposite opinion

Some veterinarians believe that the natural physiological process is not an obstacle to vaccination. A dog can tolerate vaccination during the critical period safely, as well as during sexual rest. This depends on the characteristics of sexual cyclicity and on the state of health.

The vaccine instructions do not list estrus as a contraindication. Many veterinarians use this argument.

Others believe that a repeat injection can be given on empty days. If the vaccine was tolerated normally in a calm state, then it will not cause complications at the estrus stage.

Possibility of vaccination during estrus

Vaccination during estrus is a rather ambiguous issue that gathers both positive and negative aspects. Thus, it is necessary to consider the most striking pros and cons of this rather important issue.

Pros of vaccinations during estrus

Among supporters of vaccinations during the period of estrus, the following opinions stand out, which indicate that there is nothing wrong with carrying out immunization in accordance with the vaccination calendar:

• Estrus is a completely normal physiological process in the life of every dog. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with this, you just need to make sure that the dog is completely healthy and get the most common injection from the veterinarian. During this period, many animals tolerate vaccinations very well without any negative effects on the pet’s body.
• Estrus is not a contraindication for immunization. This is even indicated in the instructions for many vaccinations, therefore, the owner has absolutely nothing to fear.
• In the event that the pet is not in heat for the first time, then vaccinations can be safely carried out, but it is advisable that a vaccine be used that has been used previously. This is due to the fact that its tolerance has already been tested and no consequences for the animal’s body can be expected.

“Against” immunization during estrus

Vaccinations during estrus are strictly contraindicated in the following cases:

• in the event that the animal’s body is already pregnant. This can have a very bad effect on the development of the embryo, so vaccination of an already pregnant dog is strictly contraindicated;
• lactation is also a strict contraindication;
• The pet’s immunity is significantly reduced after vaccination, therefore, if offspring are planned, it will not be very good, both for the mother and for the puppies.

Exception

An exceptional case is the report of a quarantine caused by rabies. Animals are vaccinated without exception, regardless of the stage of the reproductive cycle. The veterinarian receives instructions and undertakes to vaccinate the required percentage of dogs.

It happens that a bitch has been vaccinated, and in the evening symptoms of estrus appear. Here help lies in observing the animal. Show your pet some attention, play, and treat him to dog treats. Don't leave your pet alone. Monitor her well-being.

Features of rabies vaccination

Although the overall situation with rabies in Russia is favorable, the possibility of an outbreak of this dangerous disease remains. Russian legislation obliges every owner of a four-legged friend to vaccinate him once a year. If the dog owner refuses to vaccinate his pet, he will face administrative punishment.

The law also provides for free rabies vaccination. Such vaccinations are not included in the cost of services even in private clinics. To get an injection, you can go to a state veterinary hospital. Often, primary comprehensive vaccination against infectious diseases in a state hospital is paid for, and further actions according to the scheme will be free. Moreover, if you get a rabies vaccination in such an institution, then the accompanying events will also be carried out free of charge. Among them: examination of the animal, anthelmintic therapy, registration of a dog passport, installation of a chip.

When to carry out

Vaccination is carried out a week before the start of estrus. Physical indicators are observed - temperature, stool, condition of the mucous membrane. The pet is provided with a complete diet. 5 days before vaccination, deworming is carried out with abstinence from street walking.

Parasites suppress the animal’s immune system; it is important to get rid of them before vaccination. Worm before estrus if mating is planned. Then the puppy will be born free of parasites.

There is a vaccination plan for four-legged animals. Sometimes it does not coincide with the dog's sexual cycle schedule.

Experienced dog breeders keep diaries in which they track the cycle schedule and record completed and planned vaccinations. Keep a notebook to record the dates of vaccinations and last heats. The intervals between vaccinations are also calculated. Indicate the names of the vaccines. If your pet has a passport and the information is recorded by a veterinarian, check the accuracy of what is written. Doctors are often in a hurry to incorrectly indicate data.

After vaccination, reduce walking time, avoid physical activity, freezing, and contact with other animals. After vaccination, the body adapts for 10 days, developing immunity.

Why is vaccination necessary?

A vaccine helps a dog develop immunity to a specific infection. It contains fragments of an infectious agent, which, when entering a living organism, causes a corresponding reaction in the form of the production of antibodies. Subsequently, if the pet encounters a similar invasion of infection, it will not get sick or the disease will be mild. Dangerous diseases of dogs for which mandatory vaccination is carried out:

• rabies;
• plague;
• enteritis (parvovirus, coronavirus);
• adenoviral infections;
• leptospirosis;
• infectious hepatitis;
• parainfluenza;
• parvovirus

There are also vaccines against lichen, trichophytosis, and microsporia.

False heat and other surprises for a beginner

Young bitches have false empty spots.
It is so called because there are all external manifestations, except for the main thing - ovulation. This condition is not dangerous. Sometimes it is interrupted for several days and then resumes, but now with ovulation. https://dog-care.ru/zdorove/voprosy/mozhno-li-delat-privivkuvo-vremya-techki.html

There are hidden (dry, white) estrus. The difference is that follicles are formed in the normal manner and eggs are released. There are no external signs - a swollen genital loop, blood secretion. Dry heat is not a deviation; a female dog can still become pregnant and produce a healthy litter.

Prolonged discharge is a cause for concern. If they are observed for longer than 30 days, contact your veterinarian. This is all the more necessary to do if yellowish or greenish inclusions appear in the secretion, decreased appetite, or increased body temperature.

Often, new dog breeders, due to lack of knowledge, cannot distinguish estrus from diseases. The dog is ready to mate 1-2 times a year, and the rest of the time any discharge is an anomaly.

Exceptions to the rules

Sometimes there are situations when some infectious disease is rampant in your region, and you have not been vaccinated. At the same time, it is noted that the dog’s estrus is just at its highest peak. Here it is worth noting that there can be absolutely no contraindications in this case for the next immunization. Vaccination must be done without fail!

However, it is worth noting that after such an urgent vaccination it is worth limiting walking in crowded places and bathing your pet.

You can, of course, not rush to get vaccinated and wait until the end of the heat, but in this case you need to weigh the pros and cons and clearly decide for yourself - can you be fully responsible for your actions in the event that your pet becomes infected with distemper or rabies?

However, if you still decide to postpone vaccination, then also limit walking and take care to minimize your pet’s contacts.

Signs of heat

How does estrus manifest itself? You can determine when a dog is in heat by its behavior, and it changes significantly. The female becomes more active, becomes overly playful and may ignore commands. This is all the result of a hormonal surge. Among the main signs of estrus are:

• The dog begins to sit down to urinate more often (it marks its territory so that potential suitors are aware that it is ready to accept advances);
• Bloody discharge oozes from the noose;
• She often licks the area under her tail;
• The bitch begins to flirt with the males, they show active interest;
• Estrus is preceded by molting.

At first, dogs do not allow members of the opposite sex to approach; they may even show aggression when courtship is too intrusive; their body is not yet ready for mating.

After one and a half to 2 weeks, the structure of the dog’s discharge changes; it will look like yellowish mucus. During this period, the female feels a strong sexual desire, especially if she notices males nearby, her tail moves to the side, and her body takes the stance necessary for sexual intercourse. The loop increases significantly in size.

The bitch can remain in this excited state for 5 to 7 days. If the owner wants to breed a dog, then he must mark these days. The right time for mating animals is between the 9th and 17th days, less often on the 21st. Everything is individual and depends on the breed of the pet.

Types of vaccines for dogs

Nobivak preparations for dogs help prevent the development of the most common viruses

Based on the active component, dog vaccines are divided into attenuated and inactivated. The former are pathogens capable of reproducing. However, due to their weakening, they cannot cause the disease itself, but only stimulate the production of antibodies. The inactivated version is represented by dead microbes. Such vaccinations have a slow and short-term effect, so they need to be repeated.

In addition, there are mono- and multivalent vaccines. In the first case, the composition includes antigens of only one infectious agent. Examples of such vaccines are: Biovac-D, Multikan-1, EPM, Primodog, Kanivac-SN, Rabizin. Several infections are included in the composition of polyvalent drugs. These include: Multikan-4 (6.8), Nobivak, Hexakanivac, Vanguard-7 and others. Multi-strain drugs, as a rule, are not given to puppies, as they put too much strain on the immune system.

Vaccines can be of domestic or foreign origin. Among the Russian drugs that have proven themselves well are: Hexakanivac, Multikan, Vakderm, Polivac. Among the “foreigners” the following stand out: Nobivak, Eurikan, Vanguard, Hexadog. Each drug has its own characteristics and administration regimens.

Most often, vaccines are given subcutaneously (at the withers)

Step-by-step passage of heat

The entire animal cycle is divided into 4 stages:

1. Proestrus (or called proestrus). Duration 1-1.5 weeks. At this time, the process of blood circulation in the genital area increases significantly, the loop swells, and the first, initially scanty, bloody discharge appears. During this period, the dog is not yet ready for mating; ovulation has not yet occurred. But external signs are already evident - she becomes playful, may not obey the owner, and run away. When walking, he spends more time sniffing out the surroundings and constantly crouches down to leave marks. Males are already experiencing increased interest; when trying to copulate, the bitch growls and snarls.
2. Estrus (active sexual hunting). During this period of time, more precisely the first 2 days, the process of ovulation occurs. But the bitch can keep the gentlemen away for a few more days. A little later, when she sees a potential suitor, the female raises the back of her body, tightens the noose and moves her tail to the side to facilitate the penetration process. She freezes and patiently waits for action from the male dog. The discharge from the loop will vary; normally, the appropriate period for mating occurs when it is light pink or disappears completely. The vulva swells significantly.
3. Metaestrus (the final stage of estrus). The duration of this period is several days. The discharge stops, the noose returns to its previous size, and the bitch again does not allow gentlemen to approach her. If fertilization does not occur, then the female again becomes calm. The dog still experiences hormonal changes - the level of progesterone increases, which is not without reason called the pregnancy hormone. This happens regardless of whether the female becomes pregnant or not. This condition becomes the cause of such a phenomenon as false pregnancy, which mostly passes without outside help and consequences.
4. Anestrus (phase of sexual tranquility). The duration of this stage is approximately 100-150 days and allows the animal’s body to recover before the next heat.

The frequency of estrus varies among dogs due to several associated factors. For example, in domestic dogs it happens 2 times a year - in autumn and at the end of winter. Sometimes flow is limited to once a year.

Dogs that are kept outdoors, pets from the north, breed once a year in early spring to give birth to puppies in the warmer months.

Vaccination of adult dogs

Vaccination of an adult dog
Dogs over one year old are required to undergo annual vaccination: injections are given once at regular intervals. It is allowed to vaccinate four-legged friends against infectious diseases once every 2 or 3 years, but the rabies vaccination must be given strictly after 12 months.

If the dog is elderly or elderly, then the decision about whether to give injections or not is made based on its health condition. The vaccine can provoke an exacerbation of the pet’s chronic diseases and further weaken the immune system. Again, a rabies vaccination should be given in any case. According to current legislation, the owner cannot refuse it.

How to avoid mating

This question is most often asked by owners of dogs who do not plan to breed. But it is not alien to people who keep breeding dogs, because an unplanned mating will be an unpleasant surprise.

The main condition is to keep an eye on the dog while walking, do not let it off the leash and do not allow strangers to get too close.

You can purchase a special product at veterinary pharmacies or pet stores that eliminates the odor that attracts male dogs. It is used to treat the back of the pet’s body before each walk.

How the drug is administered

The most popular remedy is Covinan. Reviews about it are contradictory, but this is not surprising. It is better to administer the drug before estrus. It is allowed to give an injection on the first day, but there is a high risk of complications. During estrus, the product is not used, even if further sterilization is planned.

Owners of breeding animals are strongly discouraged from using drugs, as this harms future puppies. In the future, the dog may not bear offspring or give birth to still babies.

Do not use the product if the dog is too young and under severe stress. An unstable cycle is another contraindication. Before administering the drug, you must consult a veterinarian and undergo an examination. For a number of diseases, interrupting estrus is prohibited. For example, with pathologies of the genitourinary system.

Care features

On the eve of the first estrus, the female may experience discharge from the loop, juvenile vaginitis containing a small amount of pus. There is no need to worry, this phenomenon is normal. Everything will return to normal as soon as the heat passes. If this does not happen, then it is worth undergoing an examination to identify various pathologies.

To make the estrus period more hygienic (especially for estrus in dogs kept in an apartment), you can purchase elastic panties for one-time use. They will prevent your dog from leaving bloody spots around the house. But still, you should not wear them all the time; veterinarians advise allowing the female to remove the discharge on her own by licking it.

During the first heat, the dog may not understand how to behave, so it is worth teaching it to remove spots. And to do this you need to remove carpets and rugs from the floor.

During the period of heat, the dog requires care:

• You should avoid long walks in winter to prevent your pet from catching a cold;
• There is no need to take her out to places where other dogs gather;
• Walks are strictly on a leash.

If suddenly it was not possible to prevent an unwanted mating, then it is forbidden to give the dog drugs to help terminate the pregnancy. This will cause significant health problems for the pet, which lead to infertility in the dog.

An important factor is keeping the dog during heat. If you do not plan to breed a dog and get puppies from her, at the first sign of estrus you need to start taking precautions:

• Keep a close eye on your dog while walking and avoid all contact with dogs of the opposite sex.
• Walk your dog on a short leash: even the most well-mannered and docile pet can run away during heat, not paying attention to any commands.
• Do not allow your dog to mate - it is impossible to separate the animals during intercourse.
• Do not take your dog while in heat to competitions or shows. This will cause anxiety among the male dogs present at the show. During heat, a dog does not respond well to commands and can be disobedient.

When is it urgent to vaccinate your dog?

Sometimes there may be situations where vaccination is mandatory, regardless of what period in the dog’s life it is. Thus, it is worth paying attention to the following circumstances that require urgent vaccination even during the dog’s heat period:

1. In the event that during the period of heat the animal is completely healthy, despite changes in its mood. Heat is not a contraindication here. You are the owner of a pet and you know exactly when and what symptoms may appear, and if you see that everything is fine with the dog, then you can safely take it for vaccination.
2. If you have already completely expelled worms from your pet’s body. Here nothing can harm even during the period of heat, therefore, you should not be afraid to carry out the next immunization of the animal.

It is also very important to expel worms during the period before estrus. This is also necessary if you are going to get puppies. The health of the mother and offspring most directly depends on this process, since helminths significantly reduce the defenses of the dog’s body. Mating requires the mandatory complete cleansing of the pet’s body, both of one and the other sex.

Thus, regarding the advisability of vaccinations during the period of estrus, it is worth noting that everything depends on the characteristics of the dog’s body as a whole. Vaccination can go completely unnoticed or cause certain complications. These are most often allergic reactions or a significant increase in the pet’s body temperature.

No heat

With good general health and the state of the reproductive and hormonal systems, the first estrus occurs at the established normal times and then repeats with a certain cyclical regularity. If the dog is older than 18 months, and the first heat has not come, you should consult a veterinarian to find out the reason for this delay.

Reasons for delay/absence of first heat:

• Poor living conditions, improper or insufficient feeding;
• Violation of hormonal regulation of the reproductive system;
• Congenital disorders in the development and structure of the genital organs;
• Ovarian dysfunction (hypofunction, lack of appropriate hormones during the appropriate period);
• Dysfunction of the pituitary gland and/or thyroid gland;
• Tumors and/or other neoplasms, cysts of the pelvic organs or on the ovaries;
• Endocrine pathologies;
• Chronic inflammatory processes in the uterus;
• Hermaphroditism (for example, when underdeveloped testes are found instead of ovaries).

When heat appears unplanned

Sometimes you may encounter a situation where you vaccinated your dog in the morning, and by the evening there are signs of another physiological bleeding. Here there is absolutely no point in panicking and urgently going to the vet.

Here we can only advise you to treat your pet more carefully and affectionately. It is worth showing patience and love for him and trying to help cope with all hormonal surges. You can play with the dog and when the dog has completely calmed down, continue with his favorite treat or toy.

It is worth eliminating stressful situations as much as possible and giving the dog as much proper attention and care as possible.

How to avoid the difficulties of estrus

To cope with the symptoms of estrus in dogs, breeders and dog owners advise using drugs to regulate sexual heat.

Drugs from the CounterSex Neo brand are hormonal drugs for regulating sexual desire and preventing unwanted pregnancy in case of accidental mating.

Many breeders and dog owners use CounterSex Neo for the following reasons:

1. High efficiency. With the help of CounterSex Neo drugs, it is possible to effectively correct a dog’s behavior, solve problems of aggression, marks in dogs during heat; prevent unwanted pregnancy.
2. Safety. CounterSex Neo is a new generation bihormonal drug. The drug is safe due to the minimal content of 2 modern active ingredients.
3. Convenience. The drug CounterSex Neo is available in the form of drops and tablets. Each owner can choose the most comfortable form of the drug for his dog, in which it will be convenient for him to give the drug to the animal.

Is it possible to vaccinate a dog during heat?

Memories that the dog was not vaccinated at all, or the vaccination period has expired, have not left you alone for a long time. In this case, a completely adequate question arises: “Is it possible to vaccinate a dog during heat?” The opinion of veterinarians in this matter, of course, plays a role for you.

There are two opinions on the question of whether vaccination is allowed for a dog during estrus.

Opinions "For"

It is advisable to vaccinate with the same vaccine that was previously used on the dog.

1. Considering that estrus is the norm, contact your veterinarian, we’ll give you an “injection” and there’s no reason to worry. Indeed, some animals tolerate vaccinations completely asymptomatically, both during the period of estrus and during the period of sexual tranquility . However, females tolerate estrus itself differently.
2. The next argument “For” is that estrus is not a contraindication for vaccinations . When reading the instructions for the vaccine, you will not find the estrus period in the list of contraindications.
3. If your dog is not in heat for the first time, and you are not planning a pregnancy, and the dog tolerates vaccinations well, then you can get vaccinated, but preferably with the vaccine that has already been used and you are clearly sure that the dog “accepted” it well. However, even in this case it is impossible to have a 100% guarantee. The animal’s body undergoes changes every minute, it grows and ages, becomes infected with viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and helminths more often than we think about it. Each of the listed agents makes adjustments to the animal’s immune system, and it is impossible to guarantee that the body will respond adequately.

Opinions "Against"

On the other hand, your animal is dear to you, and its illness causes you concern, maybe even more than your own. Is there any need to rush to introduce a pathogenic agent into the body, even if it is dry and very weakened?

During lactation, vaccination is contraindicated.

The period of anestrus (sexual rest) lasts for a dog for 100-150 days , and estrus lasts 14-20 , sometimes up to 30, and if you did not get vaccinated during the first period, then in the short time when your dog is eager to have offspring, nothing will happen to it won't happen.

However, if you are planning a dog pregnancy, then vaccinations at this time are also not advisable. Consequently, she will remain unvaccinated for another 60 days. This will be followed by a period of lactation, and it will again be a contraindication to vaccination, and this will add another 30 days.