Abnormal Sexual Behaviors In Female Dogs

Admit it, the headline got you here, didn't it?

Rarely seen, true nymphomania is an exaggerated sexual response in the female of the species. Most commonly this condition is associated with other forms of abnormal sexual behavior.

Some bitches will exhibit a variety of estral signs, making them extremely attractive to males. While they may "flag," present their rear and signal a willingness to breed, they will almost never permit a male to mount.

There can also be evidence in this condition of normal estral signs such as an enlarged vulva and blood-stained discharge. True nymphomania is believed to originate from a prolonged estral cycle, one during which an excessive amount of the female hormone estrogen is produced.

The cause of this excessive estrogen production is believed to be cystic ovaries. A prolonged swollen appearance of the genitalia may be indicative of nymphomania. Another indication is prolonged periods of excessive sexual desire, usually without allowing a breeding. Should a breeding occur, it is usually without conception, as most females of this condition are sterile.

Females suffering from the condition of true nymphomania may often be nervous, irritable or even occasionally vicious. They may, at times, mount and ride males whenever present. If no males are convenient, they may attempt to mount and ride various family members of any age and either sex. Toys have also been employed for the expression of masturbation.

Successful treatment of true nymphomania is rare. A few veterinarians have had moderate success through massaging or rupturing the ovarian cysts by laparotomy. Sometimes effective treatment has been achieved through hormone injections that help to establish a normal and regular cycle. The success of therapy is not by any measure consistent. Most veterinarians recommend spaying as the normal and only viable course of treatment.

Hyperestrinism is another condition where the animal suffers from an excessive production of the female hormone estrogen. This condition leaves the female totally devoid of sexual desire. Through her scent, however, she remains an attractive nuisance to males. Again, cystic ovaries are the most common source of this problem. The dysfunction of the pituitary or adrenal glands should never go unchecked by the veterinarian, as their impairment may also cause hyperestrinism.

Vaginitis, another relatively common condition, also exhibits signs similar to those of a female in estrus. Although attractive and stimulating to males, a female with this condition will not exhibit signs of sexual desire. Other factors that can attract and stimulate males and appear to be caused by an estral cycle are infections of the vulva, cervix, bladder and anal sacs. The elimination of a possible infection and determination of a true estrous cycle is best made by your veterinarian, someone trained and equipped to make knowledgeable and definitive diagnoses.

So, when you see a bitch hopping onto the back of another dog (or bitch) it's highly unlikely that the behaviour is a result of nymphomaniac tendencies. In fact, it's a very common sight amongst packs of dogs, where females will 'ride' females or males. It is not something to worry about or stress over, dogs who do this are perfectly 'normal'. Normal, that is, for a dog. They have their own code of conduct and idiosyncratic methods of socialising with their mates.

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