löptiden

Löptiden, or estrus duration, is the period in the reproductive cycle of a female animal during which she is receptive to mating and fertile. It is a part of the estrous cycle and is characterized by hormonal and behavioral changes that prepare the body for possible pregnancy. The exact length varies widely between species and individuals.

Species-specific ranges are commonly cited in veterinary and farming contexts. In dogs, the total heat period typically spans about 2 to 3 weeks, with the fertile estrus lasting roughly 5 to 10 days. Cats often experience heat episodes that last about 7 to 10 days and may recur during the breeding season. Cattle usually have a short estrus, about 12 to 24 hours (sometimes up to 30 hours). Mares tend to be in estrus for about 5 to 7 days. Sheep and goats generally show estrus for 24 to 48 hours, while sows (pigs) are in heat for about 2 to 3 days.

Signs of löptiden include behavioral changes and physical indicators such as increased vocalization, affectionate or restlessness behavior, mounting, and changes in the vulvar area, often with swelling and discharge. Individual variation is common, and signals can be influenced by breed, age, health, nutrition, and season.

Implications for breeding and management are significant. Löptiden helps determine the timing of mating or insemination and affects records, housing, and monitoring. Irregular, prolonged, or absent heat may indicate health or hormonal issues and warrant veterinary evaluation. It is important to distinguish löptiden (the duration of each heat) from the overall cycle length, which is the time between successive heats.