What if a dog has a false pregnancy? What are the symptoms and what to do?

Treatment of false pregnancy in dogs is an important step in keeping pets.

This problem is quite widespread among animals , and when having a dog in the house, a person must take into account the likelihood of a pathology occurring and know what to do. It is advisable to carry out such actions on the recommendation of a veterinarian.

What it is?

At its core, false pregnancy in dogs is a condition where outwardly everything looks as if she is pregnant, although no mating has occurred.

This condition is associated with a mental disorder of the animal , when, against the background of hormonal imbalance, some signs of pregnancy actually appear, in particular lactation.
The dog's maternal instincts begin to clearly manifest themselves, often in an exaggerated form. Interesting! False pregnancy begins to develop after the end of estrus and lasts approximately as long as a normal pregnancy should last, i.e.
about 2 months. This syndrome is associated with increased production of progesterone as a result of hormonal imbalance. The pathology in question manifests itself in the form of physiological and behavioral signs that are of a purely individual nature. Behavioral symptoms include depression, anxiety, increased or loss of appetite, aggressiveness, morning sickness, and disobedience. The most typical appearance of the maternal instinct is preparing the nest and placing toys in it.

Physiological signs include weight gain, sagging and enlarged abdomen, vaginal discharge, swollen mammary glands and lactation. Moreover, at the moment of fictitious “birth”, phenomena simulating contractions are possible.

Groups at increased risk of false pregnancy include :

• bitches that are not fertilized at mating;
• not giving birth, older dogs;
• females with only one mating;
• dogs with hypertrophied sensitivity, deprived of attention and not given enough walks in the fresh air.

How long does a false pregnancy last in a dog?

The dog bears offspring for 53 or 72 days. The exact time of birth depends on the following factors:

• Breed size. Yorkies and German Shepherds wear different numbers of days. Dachshunds are even genetically prone to false pregnancy.
• The size of a dog. Large dogs sometimes give birth prematurely.
• The nature of the pregnancy.

Cat pregnancy by week: calendar

At the same time, a false pregnancy lasts about the same. Many dog ​​owners find out that they won't be expecting puppies any time soon, only after all the due dates have passed and the birth has not started.

In rare cases, with a favorable outcome, all signs disappear 2-3 weeks after their appearance. But for the most part, the bitch’s behavior corresponds to the condition that appears during pregnancy until the calendar date for the birth of puppies occurs.

Interesting! Some dogs even experience false contractions.

Treatment with drugs

The main cause of false pregnancy in an animal is hormonal imbalance , which can occur as a result of neurogenic disruptions or disruption of the functioning of the ovaries or thyroid gland. As in humans, normalization of hormone production is achieved by using medications.

Important! The need for their use is determined by the veterinarian, taking into account the severity of the pathology and the clinical picture. If it occurs in a mild form, then folk or homeopathic remedies, and sometimes preventive measures, are quite sufficient.

List of drugs

If the symptoms of the pathology are pronounced, the doctor prescribes:

1. Ovariovitis. It allows you to neutralize the psychological factor. It is used as a subcutaneous injection with a course of 4-5 days or tablets for 12-15 days.
2. Mastomethrin. The product eliminates inflammatory reactions in the female reproductive system and prevents mastitis.
3. Galaston. The drug reduces the content of prolactin, which eliminates lactation, swelling of the mammary glands, and prevents mastitis. It is given to the dog in the form of a solution mixed into the food. The course of treatment is up to 7 days.

4. Phytoelite Cytostat. The product is effective for the prevention of pathology and eliminates the risk of tumors in the mammary gland. Used in tablet form.
5. Emicidin. Actively used as a prophylactic agent.
6. Bromocamphor. The drug normalizes the functioning of the animal’s central nervous system.
7. Sedatives. If the animal is overly excited, drugs such as Novopassit and Stop-stress are used.
8. Hormonal drugs. The most commonly used prolactin inhibitors are Naloxone and Bromocriptine. Your doctor may prescribe medications based on progestogen, estrogen, androgens, and prolactin antagonists.

Attention! To avoid side effects, hormonal drugs are used with great caution and strictly under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Hormonal drugs

• Naloxone
• Bromocriptine
• Nonestron

Cowinan Hormonal drug for the correction of sexual cycles (regulation of sexual desire, as well as prevention and treatment of false pregnancy and/or pseudolactation). Dosage: strictly subcutaneously once 1-3 ml (weight up to 20 kg - 1 ml, up to 40 kg - 2 ml, over 40 kg - 3 ml). Read also:  DIY dog house. Drawings and dimensions. Best Master Classes Side effects: local irritation, hair loss at the injection site, in about 1% of cases the risk of developing pyometra and endometriosis.k Contraindications: cannot be used by truly lactating and pregnant women, with inflammatory problems of the genitourinary system, as well as by dogs that were treated with progestogens and estrogens the day before for false pregnancy. Price: 1250-1880 RUR/fl 20 ml.

Naloxone Morphine antagonist, prolactin hormone inhibitor. The drug exists separately for humans and separately for veterinary medicine - as long as the dosage is maintained, it does not matter which one is used. It is often difficult to tolerate; antiemetic drugs are given 40 minutes before the injection. Dosage: intramuscularly 0.01 mg/kg body weight daily 1-2 times for 5-7 days until noticeable results. Side effects : vomiting, lack of appetite, general depression. Contraindications: do not use in the first heat and immature bitches. Price: 10 ampoules/1 ml solution: 180-250 rub.

Bromocriptine Hormonal drug, prolactin antagonist. Human drug. Heavy on the dog’s body, it requires preliminary antiemetic prophylaxis 30 minutes before giving. Dosage: oral tablets at the rate of 0.01 mg/kg body weight 1 time per day until signs of false pregnancy are completely eliminated (an average of 2 weeks). Side effects: depression, vomiting, lack of appetite. Contraindications: cannot be used by immature bitches, or during their first heat. Price: 30 tablets: 250-350 rub.

Nonestron A hormonal contraceptive that prevents pregnancy and prevents the development of signs of false pregnancy. Dosage: orally on the 1st day of estrus, 1 tablet/5 kg of dog’s weight once a week. Side effects: - Contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, diabetes, metritis. Do not combine with androgens. Price: 10 tablets/10 mg: 100-200 rub.

How to help an animal?

Drug therapy is used in cases where pathology cannot be avoided and its course is quite alarming. You can help your pet with preventive measures. The most dangerous period for the female begins after the end of estrus. At this time, it is important to optimize your diet and walking routine.

Starting from 8-9 days after the end of estrus, the following recommendations should be followed :

• reducing the amount of food and drink consumed;
• limiting the protein diet by reducing the amount of meat and dairy products (when using dry food, you can focus on “Light” products with a reduced protein component);
• reducing water will prevent lactation;
• increasing physical activity by increasing the duration of walking and conducting special classes;
• maximum manifestation of affection and attention to the animal.

What not to do?

If a false pregnancy occurs in a dog, the following actions on the part of the owner must absolutely not be allowed:

1. Punishing the dog for its behavior, as well as taking away toys and destroying the “nest”. Behavioral manifestations are caused by objective reasons, and therefore any psychological pressure has a negative impact, causing stress.
2. Expressing milk or having it sucked by the dog itself. Such actions only activate the lactation process.
3. Nipple bandaging. This does not have a positive effect, but rather impairs blood circulation, which can lead to mastitis and other complications.
4. Rubbing and massage. They will only speed up milk production.

Folk remedies

Quite effective treatment of false pregnancy can be achieved using traditional methods :

1. Cabbage. The most common method is to apply a cabbage leaf to the mammary glands with a loose bandage. It is pre-treated with boiling water, kneaded by hand and cut with a knife to release the juice. This compress is applied for 6-8 hours.
2. Compress made from a mixture of rye bread (pulp) and honey .
3. Rubbing nipples with aloe .
4. arnica- based ointment .
5. To prevent the dog itself from sucking milk, a fabric blanket and a protective collar . Such “clothes” should not be tight.

Possible complications

If treated incorrectly or not, false pregnancy can lead to serious problems :

1. Physiologically unjustified lactation leads to stagnation of unused milk in the glands, which can cause mastitis . This consequence is most often recorded in the absence of treatment for the pathology.
2. Mucus can accumulate in the female's uterus, creating favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. In such circumstances, the risk of an inflammatory disease with suppuration increases - pyometra .
3. Of particular danger is the increased likelihood of tumors occurring in the ovaries and mammary glands . Malignant tumors are fatal.

Diagnostics

Suspicions of a false pregnancy are detected by ultrasound, when there are signs of pregnancy, but the fetuses cannot be detected in the uterus. Taking an anamnesis is important. Tell the doctor the age, whether this is her first heat, whether the dog has given birth, and whether the mating was planned or accidental.

Information about the use of contraceptives to disrupt estrus or eliminate the consequences of accidental mating is important. The doctor should know whether the bitch has had a false pregnancy for the first time or whether a similar situation has occurred before. It is necessary to report whether the mother of the breeding dog suffered from hormonal disorders.

The relaxin test helps determine if a dog is pregnant. To feel at ease, conduct a study 2-4 weeks after mating. For the test you will need to take blood. A sharp increase in the concentration of the ovarian hormone indicates pregnancy and excludes false pregnancy. The ultrasound method works starting from 24 days of pregnancy. With its help, you can find out the number of your pet's offspring.

If an imaginary pregnancy occurs in an elderly female dog, additional studies may be required to detect neoplasms and inflammatory processes in the external genitalia.

Misconceptions

In attempts to avoid problems in keeping dogs, owners are often mistaken, taking actions that do not eliminate the risk of false pregnancy . The following misconceptions about the prevention of pathology can be identified:

1. One-time mating and subsequent births. Many owners of female dogs resort to this method, but this is a misconception. This method does not provide relief from false pregnancies in the future. Only regular mating can be a guarantee.
2. Sterilization. This procedure indeed often gives a positive result, but it cannot completely eliminate false pregnancy. Sterilization is not able to eliminate the psychological factor and the production of hormones, which means that the likelihood of pathology remains.
3. Not allowing nest preparation and taking away toys “adopted” by the dog. This action does not have a positive effect, but rather causes psychological overload in the female.

Attention! Uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs for prophylactic purposes can cause inflammatory reactions and tumor formations. Their use is allowed only as prescribed by a veterinarian.

General principles of helping dogs in veterinary clinics

If the falsehood of pregnancy in dogs is confirmed, to alleviate its symptoms, they try to physically stress the dog. An effective folk method is to walk more, make them run, jump, play with people and other animals.

It is necessary to remove small toys away. If there are small kittens or another dog in the house that has already given birth, then it also needs to be temporarily transported to another place

Important! Often, signs of pregnancy appear in bitches living next to animals nursing their offspring.

At the same time, they correct the behavior and try to calm the pet. Here you will need the help of a specialist. It is unwise to refuse it, since the aggression that arose during the period of false pregnancy most likely will not go away after its signs disappear.

You cannot decide on your own which method of conservative treatment is suitable for a particular pet. Treatment, even without the use of medications, must be prescribed by a doctor.

If it was not possible to help, and signs of a false dog appear after each heat, the veterinarian prescribes an inexpensive one:

• progesterone;
• estrogen;
• testosterone.

The results of taking them are not clear; artificially administered hormonal drugs help normalize the dog’s condition in about 50% of cases. In many dogs, pseudopregnancy may continue, and significant improvements are observed only after taking prolactin inhibitors. But bitches taking prolactin may experience an uncontrollable attack of vomiting, they refuse to eat, calm comes quickly, but the dog becomes too lethargic.

Important! Prolactinoma is treated only under the supervision of a doctor; the dog is temporarily placed in a hospital.

If a dog does not have breeding value, it is better to sterilize it. The procedure is called an ovariohysterectomy, and the uterus and ovaries are removed. The operation is carried out no earlier than 4 months after estrus.

Regular examination is necessary for all pets

Healthy dogs that have not previously shown signs of false pregnancy do not need to be spayed. The procedure is indicated only for those bitches in whom signs of pregnancy appear after each heat, and the expected increase does not occur.

How to eliminate concomitant pathologies?

False pregnancy is not an independent disease, and therefore it cannot be treated . Measures are taken to alleviate the animal’s condition and prevent complications.

When the first signs of mastitis, pyometra or tumors appear, you must consult a doctor for specific treatment . It can be carried out by therapeutic or surgical methods. In case of severe inflammation and the appearance of tumors, surgery is performed.