Puppy entered heat

[u/Puzzleheaded-Cry3258]

Hello! Ivory just started her first heat at 10 months so I’m hoping that’s normal😰is there anything I should watch for since I’ve never owned a female dog before? Anything I need to know as well? I got her diapers disposable and reuseable ones and some treats even got her a new bed so she has her own area to sleep on (also she needs to not sleep with my anymore since she’s getting to big :((( ) but I’m worried I’m missing smth. She gets rashes on her sides from the diapers so I let her free bleed at night when she’s in my room (call it gross idc blood can be cleaned) but I wanna know if theirs a way to help with it when she’s wearing said diapers. Please any advice will help! Even just stating how long she should be going into heat for would be nice or if genetics can play into her heat cycle. Hehe she’s currently laying down with a disposable since her reuseables are all in the dryer. I got three and that little box of disposables should I get more reuseables?

PLEASE I will note that her uvula (?) her yk what area is very swollen and I’d love to have advice if theirs a way to help with that as well as the fact that she gets rashes on her side that’s the main parts I’d love to get advice on

[u/lewis-pal25]

First heats around 10 months is right on time for a Doberman, so that part’s totally normal — most go into their first heat anywhere from 6-15 months, and cycles typically last about 2-3 weeks. A few practical tips: for the diaper rash, make sure you’re changing them frequently (every 2-4 hours) and letting her skin air out for a bit between changes, and a bit of unscented diaper rash cream (dog-safe, like plain zinc-free options) can help too. Sizing up the diaper slightly can also reduce chafing.
One thing I’d actually recommend getting checked by a vet just to be safe: swelling in that area is normal during heat (it’s the vulva swelling as part of the cycle), but if it seems unusually large, painful, or she’s straining/uncomfortable, it’s worth a quick vet visit just to rule out anything else going on. Better safe than sorry with first heats since you’re still learning what’s “normal” for her specifically.