False pregnancy in dogs - treatment methods and prevention

False pregnancy in dogs is a condition that owners of unspayed female dogs often encounter within 2-3 months after estrus. At this time, symptoms of pregnancy and maternal instinct in the empty bitch are observed. The reason is a hormonal imbalance in the dog’s body. Only sterilization will help completely get rid of regular symptoms, but it is possible to reduce their severity.

What is pseudopregnancy in a dog?

It is in nature that a bitch can become pregnant from 7 to 21 days after the start of estrus. In the vast majority of cases, fertilization is successful and the body is preparing to become a mother with all the ensuing consequences. Changes occur both at the physical and psychological levels.

If conception does not occur, the bitch is “empty”; her subconscious is not aware of this. Hormonal changes take their course, the body prepares for childbirth for some time.

The rollback begins after 1-1.5 months, when the body “understands” that there is no fruit, and the level of hormones decreases. But by this time a number of symptoms simulating pregnancy have already appeared. The animal is waiting for puppies - the mammary glands enlarge, the bitch begins to “nest”, becomes restless, and sometimes aggressive.

Prevention

If you want to get healthy puppies, carry out the first mating during the third heat. Estrus that does not end in conception is called estrus. Do not allow more than one empty space in a row. The optimal interval between planned matings is 12 months.

Pay attention to the condition of your pet's genitals. The first heat can be hidden, without bleeding, because the female is constantly licking herself. However, other symptoms - swelling of the vulva and restlessness - are present. You let the bitch off the leash, she runs around the corner, where an enthusiastic courtyard admirer is waiting for her. The probability of conception in such cases is close to 100%.

Unwanted pregnancy is eliminated by injection of hormonal drugs. However, after such treatment, the risk of hormonal imbalances and associated abnormalities increases. To reliably prevent false pregnancy, castrate the female dog.

If you are convinced that the female is predisposed to imaginary pregnancy, during the anestrus phase, carry out prophylaxis with sedatives such as Cat Bayun, which I described above. To provoke estrus, invite a veterinarian, he will give the dog an injection of a hormonal drug. A decade after mating, increase physical activity and limit feeding and drinking.

Exclude bitches with regularly recurring imaginary pregnancy from purebred breeding. To prevent abnormal developments, try the following scheme:

1. On the twelfth day from the start of estrus, count the timing of preventive measures.
2. Plan a nine-day preventive course.
3. Increase your physical activity. Walk longer and further away.
4. Reduce the amount of food and water.
5. For 7-9 days, put the animal on a starvation diet.
6. On the tenth day, resume feeding starting with 1/3 of the daily dose, bring food intake to normal within a week.

The main symptoms of false pregnancy in a dog

Symptoms of false pregnancy can occur at any age. In some bitches they appear after the first heat, in others - after 5-6 years, in others they do not appear at all.

What does a false pregnancy look like in a dog? Depends on the body, breed, age. In some bitches, especially young ones, drooping mammary glands may be the only symptom. After a month or two, the “udder” retracts, and the animal’s appearance returns to normal.

Some pets may develop a pregnant belly. The fact is that after estrus, bitches gain weight. Their circulating blood volume increases, and fluid accumulates in the intercellular space. Stabilization of the water balance takes 2-3 months.

How false pregnancy manifests itself in dogs before “birth”

Closer to “giving birth,” the bitch begins to nest. She constantly spins on her bed, pulling soft things under her. The animal may refuse to eat, go for walks, or want to go home. This continues for 2-3 days until the bitch decides that she has given birth. During this period, the loop enlarges and swells, and mucous discharge may appear. Animals may experience contractions, moan, and worry.

How does a false pregnancy occur in dogs after “birth”?

After “giving birth” some bitches begin to produce milk. This can be a few drops or full lactation. In the second case, the animal becomes restless, lethargic, and the temperature may rise. There is no one to suck the milk, so you have to wait for it to “burn out.”

The animal begins to react sensitively to toys, especially to plush dogs, bears and other little animals. The bitch is very attracted to their eyes, which she can easily tear off. An animal may worry if you take a toy away from it and calmly fall asleep, hiding it near itself. While protecting the “cub”, she is even capable of showing aggression.

After a few days, this condition passes, the animal calms down and begins to behave as usual.

How to help an animal

The first thing a dog owner must do is to understand that his four-legged friend is not to blame for his behavior. There is no need to shout at him, hit him or stir up the assembled nest. This behavior will cause the animal to experience stress and suffer even more. What remedies will help relieve your pet’s condition:

• It is necessary to take the dog for a walk more often, play active games with it, and even pay more attention at home.
• It is necessary to reduce the amount of water given and completely eliminate milk from the pet’s diet. This will help prevent and stop lactation.
• The amount of feed also needs to be reduced, but not to go too far. Ideally, you should reduce portions of meat and replace them with vegetables.
• If there is heavy lactation and the dog wants to lick the milk, it is necessary to wear a blanket. If necessary, your veterinarian will prescribe medications to stop milk production.
• Toys that your dog might mistake for puppies should be kept away. Leave only a couple of things so that the animal does not get bored in your absence.

Causes of false pregnancy

Hormonal imbalance in empty females is caused by several hormones at once:

• The mammary glands enlarge under the influence of progesterone, which after conception helps the fetus to gain a foothold in the uterus.
• Milk is produced under the influence of the hormone prolactin, which is activated before childbirth when progesterone decreases.
• The level of dopamine, which inhibits milk synthesis, decreases.

At the same time, the excitability of the central nervous system increases, which makes the pet active and overly sensitive. She can feel the movements of non-existent puppies, phantom contractions.

First aid for a sick pet

Most often, a false pregnancy disappears on its own after a few weeks. Usually no treatment is required. The owner of the dog can only slightly alleviate its condition with simple actions. If a problem occurs, you need the following:

1. Maintain physical activity - walk, play with a ball. This is important so that the dog worries less about imaginary offspring.
2. Do not express milk, otherwise you will produce more milk. Do not allow your pet to lick liquid from the nipples. To do this, you should put a bandage or blanket on her or treat her nipples with camphor oil.
3. Hide toys, leave small animals in another room. The female will consider them puppies.
4. If engorgement of the mammary glands occurs, you need to use folk remedies such as compresses made from bread pulp and honey, cabbage leaves and squeezed aloe. They should be left overnight.

If the symptoms of a false pregnancy are mild, these actions will help the pet cope with the problem without danger to her well-being. You can speed up the process of returning to the previous state. If symptoms persist for a long time or worsen, medication will be required.

It must be remembered that when displaying false puppiness, a person should not show aggression towards the pet. She is not able to adjust her behavior, since changes have occurred at the hormonal level. If the owner does not understand the dog's condition and does not try to calm it down, such an unpleasant consequence as a nervous breakdown may occur.

Sometimes breeders use false pregnancies to feed the offspring of other females who are unable to do so themselves. Then its duration may increase. In this case, there will be less harm to health than from therapy.

Risk factors

The main cause of false pregnancy in dogs is heredity. This is evidenced by the fact that some breeds have an increased tendency to fake pregnancy. For example, it is recorded in 75% of cases in dachshunds, beagles, and Afghan hounds.

One theory is that the genetic tendency arose from the dogs living in a pack, with “empty” females helping to feed the puppies if their mother was unable to cope with the task.

This version is unlikely, since dogs have completely different orders than wolves. They do not have an alpha female, and the strongest male reacts to all females who have entered the “hunting” period. Other males in the pack may also mate with this female, even if there is a stronger leader nearby. Therefore, if a female is healthy and lives in a pack where there are males, she almost always becomes pregnant, and can have cubs from different males.

Features of the female reproductive cycle

Behavioral abnormalities occur due to hormonal changes. Bitches are characterized by a long period of rest, which is interrupted twice a year by violent estrus, lasting from 3 to 4 weeks. The breeding season of carnivores is called the rut. Instinct prompts the bitch to perform a fruitful mating, while during the period of anestrus, that is, sexual rest, the female does not react to the male and even drives him away. In fact, nature forces the reproductive system to work at maximum load: the bitch bears puppies for 2 months, and spends the same amount of time feeding with milk. Another 2 months are spent restoring the body, exhausted by lactation, for a new reproductive cycle.

In a sexually mature healthy bitch, the duration of heat is from 3 to 4 weeks. Estruses during which fertilization does not occur are called gaps. Nature takes cruel revenge on a dog for refusing to procreate.

What can an owner do when a dog has a false pregnancy?

The pathology is often mild; a dog with false pregnancy does not need treatment. Most symptoms will disappear on their own within 3 weeks; the mammary glands will shrink a little longer. The owner can speed up this process with the help of a special diet, changes in daily routine, and active walks.

With mild symptoms of false pregnancy in a dog, veterinarians give the owner the following advice on what to do:

• Do not scold your pet for inappropriate behavior. She seriously feels like a “mommy” and prepares for this event according to her instincts.
• Walk with your pet more often, engage her in various games so that she moves as much as possible and gets tired.
• Remove all dairy products from your diet. Firstly, they enhance milk synthesis, and secondly, dogs do not digest them well and may react with itching, diarrhea, and allergies.
• Give less food.
• Reduce the amount of water. If the bitch eats dry food, switch to wet food, since drying causes thirst.
• Hide any toys that she might mistake for puppies. If you have small pets, isolate them.
• If there is milk and she licks it, stimulating her nipples in every possible way, put a veterinary protective collar on her.

Homeopathic remedies

• Ovariovitis
• Ovarium Compositum
• Phytoelite Cytostat
• Gormel
• Galastop

Ovariovitis A complex homeopathic medicine that restores hormonal levels, normalizes sexual cycles and neutralizes mental disorders. For the treatment and prevention of pseudopregnancy in dogs. Dosage: intramuscularly or subcutaneously 0.1 ml/kg body weight once daily for 7-10 days - treatment; in a similar dose 1 time every 3-4 days for two weeks - prevention. Side effects and contraindications: - Price: 10 ml bottle: 250-350 rub., 100 ml: 1350-1500 rub.

Ovarium Compositum A complex homeopathic remedy that normalizes hormonal levels and restores sexual cycles. Used to eliminate behavioral changes during pseudopregnancy and neutralize its clinical manifestations. Dosage: intramuscular, intravenous or subcutaneous 1-4 ml (according to dog size) daily for 4-5 weeks. Side effects and contraindications: - Price: 5 ampoules/2.2 ml solution: 1000-1250 rub.

Phytoelite Cytostat Herbal medicine for the prevention of mammary gland cancer in animals against the background of mastitis and pseudopregnancy. Read also:  The great blue whale is the giant of planet Earth. Description and photo of a blue whale Dosage : from the 1st day of estrus for 3 weeks, 1 tablet/10 kg of body weight 2-3 times/day. Side effects : allergies are possible. Contraindications: individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Price: pack of 50 tablets: 100-200 rub.

Gormel A homeopathic remedy prescribed for any hormonal disorders in animals, including false pregnancy. Dosage: subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly 1-4 ml (according to the weight of the animal) once a day every 4 days for 3 weeks; 7-12 drops of drinking solution according to a similar scheme. Side effects and contraindications: - Price: 5 ampoules/5 ml solution: 200-350 rub.

Galastop Herbal solution for regulating milk secretion and treating mastopathy and mastitis in animals. Affects the level of prolactin production. Dosage: 3 drops/kg of animal weight with food or in the mouth once a day for 4-7 days. Repeat the course if there is no visible effect or symptoms of pseudopregnancy continue to appear. Side effects: drowsiness, apathy, inactivity, decreased appetite. Contraindications: pregnancy, postoperative period. Price: 7 ml: 600-700 rub., 15 ml: 1050-1150 rub.

False pregnancy in dogs: treatment

The pathology cannot be treated. All you can do in case of false pregnancy in a dog to prevent its occurrence is to sterilize it. This should be done no earlier than the signs of false pregnancy in dogs have completely disappeared. Otherwise, the symptoms will remain and go away naturally in a few weeks.

If there are dangerous symptoms (fever, apathy, lethargy) of false pregnancy in dogs and treatment is needed, call a veterinarian. The doctor may prescribe:

• Sedative to relieve anxiety.
• Diuretics to speed up the removal of fluid from the body, reduce milk production;
• Homeopathic medicines to improve immunity;
• Hormonal agents.

To treat false pregnancy, if the dog has a lot of milk, drugs containing cabergoline (Lacto-Stop, Galastop) are prescribed. It reduces the level of prolactin in the blood, which is responsible for the synthesis of milk, prevents enlargement of the mammary glands, and is a good prevention of mastitis. The medicine lasts a long time and has few side effects.

To restore reproductive function, Ovariovit is prescribed. The homeopathic remedy regulates the cycle, normalizes ovulation, increases fertility, and reduces the symptoms of endocrine disruption.

Treatment of false pregnancy in dogs: hormonal medications

The doctor prescribes hormonal drugs for the treatment of pregnancy in extreme cases, based on the following recommendations:

• estrogens are undesirable for the treatment of false pregnancy because they inhibit bone marrow function;
• Androgens can reduce the severity of symptoms, but can cause other disruptions in the reproductive system.

American doctors consider medications containing megestrol acetate (Pillcan) effective for false pregnancy in dogs. It inhibits the synthesis of hormones that help bear and give birth to puppies. Contraindications: pregnancy, diabetes, breast tumors. You cannot take Pillkan for a long time, since it puts a lot of pressure on the hormones of the reproductive system and can provoke various complications.

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). 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.

Consequences and complications of false pregnancy

After a false birth, the bitch often produces milk, usually in small quantities, but sometimes mastitis develops - inflammation of the mammary gland. It develops when the alveoli begin to produce nutrient fluid, and there is no one to suck it out. As a result, they expand and strongly compress the ducts, which causes stagnation of milk.

After some time, a lump appears on the mammary gland. The bitch becomes passive and the temperature may rise. To help your pet, be sure to consult a doctor for treatment. Depending on the situation, the veterinarian may prescribe mastitis ointments, antibiotics, and other medications.

Consequences of false pregnancy in a dog: mastopathy

If false pregnancy is repeated too often, always accompanied by a large amount of milk, fibrocystic mastitis (mastopathy) may develop in middle-aged and older animals. This is the name for a benign tumor of the mammary glands.

Lumps and cysts appear on the breasts, and discharge from the nipples. The lesions may become painful, causing the animal to become restless or too passive. In rare cases, the tumor develops into cancer. To exclude unfavorable developments, show the animal to a doctor. Surgery may be needed.

Pyometra

If a female dog regularly has false pregnancies, in old age she may develop pyometra, an inflammation of the uterine mucosa. There are two forms of the disease:

• Open - purulent discharge appears from the loop, body temperature can rise to 40C.
• Closed - there is no discharge from the loop, pus accumulates inside. The animal eats poorly and is passive. The abdomen enlarges, becomes tight, the temperature rises, vomiting and diarrhea appear.

Symptoms appear 1-2 months after estrus. The closed form requires urgent surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries, otherwise the dog may die. An open one can be healed with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, but after the next heat everything will happen again. In this case, you need to look at the age of the animal to see if it can withstand the operation.

Research shows that by the age of 10 years, pyometra occurs in 23% of unspayed female dogs. The only way to avoid pathology is sterilization.

Oncology

Hormonal imbalances that occur during false pregnancy can cause cancer of the breast, uterus, and ovaries. Moreover, if breast cancer is detected quickly, the situation with internal organs is more difficult.

Symptoms of cancer begin unnoticed, and when the owner notices the pet’s atypical behavior (loss of weight, loss of appetite, bleeding reminiscent of estrus), it may be too late. Therefore, if you have any unclear symptoms, contact your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

How dangerous is an imaginary pregnancy?

The mother’s experiences are aggravated by the following diseases of the reproductive organs:

1. Inflammation of the udder - mastitis develops due to the fact that the secretion accumulates in the milk tanks and does not find a way out. The organ swells, swells, becomes injured, becomes inflamed. If you try to help the unlucky mother by pumping, however, this leads to increased milk production. Do not treat the disease yourself, leave it to a professional.
2. Inflammation of the uterus - endometritis. Although childbirth did not occur, the walls of the organ intensively secrete mucus. Since the cervix is ​​open, microflora gets inside, uses the secretions as a nutrient medium and actively multiplies. If the disease is not treated, endometritis develops, which becomes a life-threatening condition - pyometra.
3. Malignant breast tumors after several false pregnancies.

If you wanted to compensate for the costs incurred in acquiring and raising a pet, you will have to refuse the sale of breeding puppies. A dog that has had a false pregnancy at least once is prone to relapses.

Prevention of false pregnancy in dogs at home

The only answer to the question of how to stop a false pregnancy in a dog and the complications associated with it is sterilization. This is the best solution if you are not a nursery owner. When the ovaries are removed, estrus stops, along with the hormonal imbalance associated with the cycle.

Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe a homeopathic remedy designed to normalize sexual function and improve immunity. The owner must carefully follow the dosage and course of administration. You absolutely cannot act at your own peril and risk, increase the number of tablets or the duration of treatment. This can cause serious disruptions in the reproductive system.

Possible complications

It is believed that too often repeated false pregnancies can lead to “hormonal swings” that can provoke serious health problems, including cancer.

Some bitches in a state of pseudo-pregnancy become very aggressive and can become a threat to other domestic and street animals, people and even their own owners.

Question answer

How to avoid false pregnancy in a dog?

Sterilize the animal.

Do false pregnancies occur in sterilized dogs?

No, if the doctor performed the operation correctly, the pathology will no longer occur. The only thing is that symptoms of false pregnancy in dogs can persist if sterilization was carried out within 2-3 months after estrus. They will disappear naturally, after which they will not appear again.

How long does a false pregnancy last in a dog?

In total - 3-4 months after estrus.

How to treat false pregnancy in dogs?

A month after estrus, the veterinarian prescribes Pillcan, a steroid hormonal drug from the progestin series. If the bitch has a lot of milk, medications containing cabergoline (Lacto-Stop, Galastop) are prescribed.

Drug therapy

Homeopathy has performed well in therapy, but only a veterinarian can select remedies. Hormonal drugs are often prescribed Naloxone or Nonestron. They help restore the functioning of the reproductive system organs. They are prescribed by a doctor. If the animal is very restless, then you can give it Fitex or other drops that will calm it down.

The doctor selects effective therapy after examining the dog and establishing a diagnosis. Moreover, pseudopregnancy does not always require drug treatment.

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.