"girl-related" rash...help?

[TroutRiver]

Trout is in heat right now, and someone on here (I forget who it was) recommended awhile ago using little boy's underwear with a maxi pad. I've been doing this and it seems to be working well, however she is developing a red rash right in front of her back legs, on her belly where the elastic band is. I can't cut or loosen the elastic band because that's what's holding them on. But at the same time, we are only 3 days into her heat cycle, I don't want the rash to get worse and I don't want her to be uncomfortable for the next 2-3 weeks.

We are having her spayed this winter, we want to wait for the cold weather to minimize risk of infection, and I want to use my parents' vet, not the one here, because I trust her more (I will be going home for a week or two during the winter break and taking Trout with me, I plan to have her spayed then).

Any thoughts/suggestions about how to deal with the rash? I put some lotion on it today to try to help the irritation, but that's not a long term solution...

[Meatos]

Yikes...no idea about the rash. If it is a reaction to friction from the undies, then I would take them off and just follow Trout around for a few days with a wet cloth or mop. Also wipe her tulip often, or at least when you are finding the most drops - I use regular doggy wipes but baby wipes would be fine too. Apparently the bleeding only lasts for the first week (I think?) so it's not like you'll have to do it for three weeks. Second week is more like a brownish discharge. I hope, anyway.

If you really want to do the pads, you could try a different cut of undies or maybe use men's boxer shorts. You can't put a pad in boxers but if you get a few pairs maybe you can keep switching them out and washing them.

[civicdelslow]

You could just go by the diapers or maybe put a bit of padding in the front and back of the elastic band. Maybe that will minimize rubbing.

Just an Idea...

[Meatos]

The biggest diaper size they had at Petsmart (XL, 90bs - I decided to give them a try) was way too small for Scarlett. Next step up would be the human Depends, but not sure if they would rub as well and just exacerbate the rash. I'd want to eliminate the rubbing entirely.

[SamiJo1313]

I just ordered the XX-Large from the petsmart brand of diapers. I belive its Pupsters? If you look on the box there is a web site you can order them from for great danes. I would leave them off of her for a while though. Also try baby powder on the rash, if you use lotion or ointment you can get an infection from it staying moist, so baby powder will try it out.

[chryssac]

Are you keeping the undies on her all the time? When Dalia was in heat, i took the diaper of at night and when i left the house. But she was crated at those times. Just an idea....

[TroutRiver]

I took them off for now and put newspaper down on all the spots around the house where she likes to lay down and chill. We have carpets all over the house...and I live with 3 other people who probably wouldn't be too thrilled about dog menstrual blood all over the house . Maybe I will try only having them on at night for awhile (she usually sleeps on our *white* couch...it was a free couch...I didn't pick the color ). Last winter when she went into heat, she bled pretty heavily for about 2 and a half weeks. It got everywhere...was pretty gross. But we had hardwood and laminent floors in that apartment (we moved here in June), so I just mopped the floors twice a day and washed her blankets every few days and it wasn't too bad. I guess we'll see how this goes. Thanks for the quick responses

[WeLoveOur7Dogs]

Having Trout spayed just might help with some of her behavioral problems as well. Sometimes hormones make one bitchy.

I bet you can't wait until that bleeding stops. 2 1/2 weeks sounds a little more accurate.

Can you crate her at night? If so, that would be a better time to leave her "panties" off. She can keep herself clean then too.
Just a thought.

[johnsondanes]

Also wipe her tulip often,

OMG...now that is the first time I have heard it referred to as a tulip!!

[lwrees72]

Gold Bond powder on the rash will help. Benadryl to help reduce the immediate effects of the rash. I also prefer the denim diaper, XXL from petsmart and maxis.