False Pregnancies
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Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
Good Dog is on a mission to educate the public, support dog breeders, and promote canine health so we can give our dogs the world they deserve.
False pregnancy basics
Q: I have been a breeder since 2003, this year is the first time that I have seen a Phantom Pregnancy, to follow with it seems a heat. The male was very interested but the vulva did not swell very big. What is your take on this? I assume that she came in the first time because another one did, (the wolf pack syndrome) the time after in Jan. is her time for heat. She is a sturdy healthy Bitch that was cleared in every way for breeding. I have read about it for years but it was very astonishing to see her seem preg up until the day after the 64th day and everything had disappeared.
A: The longer you are a breeder, the more you will see both the good and the bad, the odds of things like this happening rise as your time as a breeder increases.
A false pregnancy, a phantom pregnancy, or what is technically called pseudocyesis (pronounced “sudo-sigh-eesis”), occasionally happens because the bitch’s hormones cycle the same whether the bitch is bred or not. This means that the bitch is hormonally pregnant, regardless of whether or not she actually is pregnant with puppies. There are bitches that go through the entire false pregnancy process, with some even producing milk, going into false labor, and feeling the need to mother soft toys or other objects at what would be the time of birth. It is also interesting to note that some girls go through this every cycle, and others never do. It can definitely be a nuisance to deal with, and some girls do require treatment as their symptoms, including other behavioral changes, can become severe. If this happens, you will want to consult with your veterinarian for treatment options.
Possibility of pyometra after a false pregnancy
Q: If your bitch experiences a false pregnancy after her first litter and at the next estrus cycle is she more apt to get Pyo if not bred again or spayed?
A: Every bitch goes through the same hormonal changes, whether or not they are bred and are carrying a litter. So, it is not uncommon for a bitch to go through a false pregnancy. I have found that when I have a girl who experiences a false pregnancy, I can help it along by using Red Raspberry Leaves in her food starting the first day of her season. I personally use 1tsp to 1tbsp in each meal daily until her season is complete. For me this has worked to help avoid another false pregnancy as it helps the uterus contract and expel the lining efficiently. I have been fortunate not to have any false pregnancy lead to Pyometra.
Pyometra is a life threatening uterine infection that typically affects older intact dams. The possibility of your dog contracting pyometra does increase with age, and the number of un-bred cycles that she has gone through. Every breeder needs to know the symptoms to watch for, including increased thirst, increased urination, change in energy level, fever, change in appetite or simply seeming off. Pyometra most often occurs 4-12wks after their season ends, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms.
Because of false pregnancies and the risk of pyometra, most Reproductive Veterinarians, including Dr. Hutchinson, suggest that you do your clearances and then do your breeding while your dog is young. Once you have done the breeding you want to do with your dam, doing a spay will remove the risk of pyometra.
