Can Spayed Female Dogs Still Have Periods? Understanding the Post-Spay Cycle

Generally, a spayed female dog should not experience menstruation, often referred to as a period. If a spayed dog is exhibiting signs of a period, it's usually considered abnormal and could potentially indicate a surgical issue such as incomplete removal of the reproductive organs.

Menstruation in dogs, characterized by vaginal bleeding, is a key indicator of the estrous cycle, commonly known as being "in heat". During a spaying procedure, the dog's uterus and ovaries are completely removed. This eliminates the hormonal fluctuations that cause the estrous cycle, and therefore, periods. Therefore, if a complete ovariohysterectomy (removal of both ovaries and uterus) is performed, there should be no more periods.

The primary purpose of spaying a female dog is to remove the entire uterus and ovaries. This ensures that the dog will no longer experience heat cycles or menstruation. However, if the surgical removal is incomplete, there's a possibility that the dog may still experience what appears to be menstruation. This would often mean residual ovarian tissue remains. This is also why it is crucial to have the surgery done by an experienced veterinary surgeon.

When a veterinary hospital performs a spaying procedure on a female dog, they meticulously remove the entire uterus and ovaries to ensure no residual tissue remains. Consequently, the female dog will no longer go into heat and periods will cease entirely. Post-surgery, it is imperative to keep the surgical site clean and dry and also restrict the dog from vigorous activities to ensure proper healing. Any signs of unusual bleeding or discharge should be immediately reported to your vet. This is an important aspect of post operative care that needs to be considered by the dog owner. Ensuring proper rest and monitoring of the incision site are crucial for the dog's quick recovery.Source:5D Pet World