Bitches’ seasons vary widely from year to year. Even if she has been regular in the past, it isn’t unusual for bitches to go 10 or even 12 months between seasons so there is most likely not a physical problem if she isn’t in at 6 months. However, sometimes we can help Mother Nature along to bring girls in. Many seasoned breeders will tell you that the fastest way to bring a bitch in is to put money down on a non-refundable vacation, plan a wedding, or enter a long show weekend that doesn’t offer refunds for bitches in season ;-). But all kidding aside, there are some things you can try to help your girl come in more quickly. None are foolproof but may be worth the effort.
Non-Medical Ways to Bring Bitches Into Season
- B vitamins, specifically B-Strong from Revival, following the directions on the bottle
- Organic Wheat Germ Oil NOW or Swanson brand, 1/2 tsp morning and evening for every 15 pounds bodyweight
Medical Ways to Bring Bitches Into Season
We don’t necessarily recommend using medical treatments to bring bitches into season but understand that there can be good reasons to do so. If your bitch is 6 months past the start of her last season, there are three drugs available to bring her into season. Read Estrus Induction in Dogs: Approaches, Protocols and Applications, P.W. Concannon from the 2005 World Small Animal Veterinary Association World Congress Proceedings.
- Cabergoline. a very safe drug with minimal side effects. It is available by prescription through Revival. require a prescription from your vet. Dosing calculator to discuss with your vet is here. More on cabergoline and its effects on reproduction here.
- PG600. Available over-the-counter through Revival and other sources. This is an off-label use of a product licensed for swine.
- PG600 is shipped cold. Keep it refrigerated when you mix it up. Let it stand for 5 minutes then draw the dose into a syringe. Refrigerate, do not freeze, the unused portion.
- Dosing is 1 cc for every 20 pounds of bodyweight, usually given intramuscularly in a rear hip.
- The injections can be very painful to some bitches for a brief period. To help alleviate the pain, draw out the dose and warm it at least to room temperature, if not body temperature before giving it. (Don’t heat it, just keep it close to your body to warm it up.)
- Give two doses 5 days apart. Be sure to give the second shot, even if your bitch comes in season after the first!
- Deslorelin (Ovuplant). Very limited availability in North America but more commonly used in Europe. More on deslorelin here.
