Hello all! My boyfriend and I got our husky, Anya, back in February. She is a full girl and we believe she has already gone through her first heat cycle since she is a year old now and her coochie area is fairly swollen.

I've never had a husky before and wasn't sure if that was normal or not, but after talking to a vet, they said it was.

We have heard several recommendations about when to get her "fixed". Some have said to wait after her first heat cycle, which we think has happened though aren't 100% on that. We have also heard to get her fixed ASAP before she gets pregnant which isn't as likely since she stays close to us. A third suggestion was actually letting her have puppies and that doing that will actually prolong her life.

We just want what's best for our baby girl, but aren't sure how to proceed. We aren't in a place where we can have puppies running around so that option wouldn't be open for a year or two, but if that is what's better for her we're willing to do that.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! And any suggestions on the best place to get her fixed at would be more than welcomed as well.

Hello, and welcome!!

I would recommend to get her fixed now, since she's already a year old. It's much better for her health 100%. Chances are most likely she's already had her first heat, but like you said your not sure. Most female dogs can have their first heat cycles at about 6 months or maybe even earlier just depending on the dog.
I wouldn't let her have puppies as you may know theres already too many puppies/adult dogs in shelters waiting to find homes. It's just best to have her fixed as it is better for her health.

I concur with having her fixed when possible. My bet advised it will prolong her life if fixed since it decreases the chances of cancer, etc.

If her area is swollen, then she may be going through a heat right now..but I guess if you have taken her to a vet and they said she isn't, then that's a little weird. When females go into heat, the vulva becomes SUPER swollen and it will stay like that for around a month..my girl went through a heat and her vulva is back to normal. So it's kind of concerning that hers is swollen and she isn't in heat??

If your girl is over a year old, I would say go ahead and spay her . I am one of those owners who believe dogs, regardless of their sex, should be allowed to mature physically and mentally before taking out their sex organs..BUT I also wouldn't recommend that route to "normal" pet owners. I see so many posts on Facebook and Instagram about people who wanted their dog to go through one heat before spaying..and lo behold..they weren't responsible enough to keep their dog from getting knocked up. I digress..I have gotten a little off topic LOL.

As for the puppy thing...NO! Having puppies does not in any way, shape, or form make a female live a longer live. Bitches CAN and DO die while giving birth to puppies. Also, there is absolutely NO reason a female should have puppies JUST BECAUSE. So many dogs AND puppies die in shelters every single day because people seem to think that for a bitch to become a "lady" they need to have puppies. That is so far from the truth. Your girl does not need to have puppies to have a happy life. Your girl does not need to have puppies to live out her "circle of life". Please don't allow your dog to have puppies. The only reason a bitch should have puppies is to better the breed after being health tested and having a clear pedigree go back AT LEAST 5 generations.

You should get your girl spayed as soon as you can. You will be doing you and her a favor.

Hi Andrew here just got an amazing husky names Kiaya and shes about 8 months and is currently in heat. i just was wondering when the best time to get her fixed would be, right after shes out of heat or a week after or what. Any ideas anyone?

Most vets will tell you to wait a full 8 weeks after she stops spotting. When you take her into your vets they will be able to tell you if she is out of heat.If her" coochie" is still swollen chances are she is not fully finished with her heat, Also some vets will charge more if they have gone through their first heat because the bleeding is much more intense during sugery if they have gone through a cycle. Hope that was helpful. (granted I live in Canada it may be different in the US)

Thanks thats good to know, ill be taking her in for blood work and just a checkup or what have u,
any tips on how to get her to enjoy a bath, should i try using the outside hose or we have a rubber lined hot tub which is basically like a big bathtub and its empty which i could bring the hose to but all i know is she does not like the bathtub

IF they do not like the bath tub try the shower stall or outside with the hose.

ok she just kept trying to jump out, she was scared so i didn't want her to jump slip and hurt herself so i wound up getting soaked as well but i think she wont need another bath for a while just want next time to be a little easier and a bit less of a mess haha

by the way you have some beautiful lookin pups there

Our first baths are always with the shower curtain closed and pinned with my body to try and deter them (some get better some get worse). At least huskies do not "have" to be bathed all the time but that is up to you and your husky. Try incuriging (SP) the fun in water mentality chase a hose play in a pool or at the beach get them to like water before the next bath.

We bath with a collar on that is martingale or "choker" style to control since I do not have anything in the tub to "tie" a leash to.
Some place have do it youself dog washes.
Petpeople

I think for the heavy blow a coat bath we will be going to a doo it yourself dog wash as they have deep tubs or large shower stalls bith with tie down.
I have cute pups ...thanks I love my crazies!

Thank you all for the wonderful tips! It really is helpful to figure out what's best for her. We are going to take her to the vet soon and making sure she isn't in heat still.

Also we have given Anya a few baths. All in the tub, she isn't to fond of them but if we're in the bath tub with her she's a lot happier. Today was her first outside bath and she was not happy so we figure we'll be keeping it to the bath tub.

I have only bathed Karli twice in the six months that we've had her. Huskies don't need to be bathed that often. If they get muddy, the mud dries and falls right off. So its really not recommended to bathe them too often.