The content of the article
A condition called pseudo-pregnancy occurs in dogs two months after estrus. This period, as a rule, is the term for the onset of labor in cases when the dog was mated. Signs of a false pregnancy can manifest in altered behavior, as well as other symptoms. Often a dog begins to make every possible way for itself a place for childbirth, for example, carrying things and toys. How to understand that a dog has a false pregnancy - read further in our article.
What is a false pregnancy?
In order to learn to determine the presence of false pregnancy in dogs, you must first understand what this phenomenon is.
False pregnancy is a certain condition, which is characterized by hormonal imbalance against the background of impaired reproductive organs. This phenomenon can not be called a disease, it is rather a syndrome. This syndrome manifests itself in the mental and physiological state of the bitch. The animal begins to behave as if it actually expects offspring, although in fact it is not.
If a dog has a false pregnancy, it is very important to surround her with care and affection, and if necessary, even take him to a veterinarian. If the hormonal background of the bitch is in order, then the syndrome will not last long. As a rule, a false pregnancy lasts for two weeks, and then all the symptoms disappear by themselves.
Causes of False Pregnancy in Dogs
The corpus luteum in dogs is somewhat different from that in other animals. The fact is that in bitches it does not diverge, as it does in females of other animals, but persists for two months, even if pregnancy has not occurred. Due to this feature, all internal organs, as well as the brain, perceive the signal of hormones and prepare the body for the upcoming birth. Immediately before the expected birth, prolactin begins to be produced in the body, which helps to increase the mammary glands, as well as the formation of milk in them. Many owners during this period themselves contribute to an increase in milk, constantly feeding the pet.
Signs of False Pregnancy
False pregnancy in dogs can occur in different ways. The main symptoms are usually divided into two main groups: mental and physiological. Among the physiological symptoms, the following can be distinguished:
- loss of appetite in a dog;
- the animal becomes noticeably larger in size, body weight increases;
- the appearance of milk from the mammary glands of the pet;
- the formation of white discharge without an unpleasant odor from the vagina;
- the female’s nipples swell and become hard;
- often the dog’s nipples change color, new pigments appear on them;
- the pet’s stomach increases.
As a rule, 60 days after the last estrus, the dog also appears colostrum - milk production due to the onset of lactation.
Changes in animal behavior
The psychological group of symptoms of false pregnancy is manifested in the behavior of the bitch. As a rule, the dog begins to behave uneasily, striving to arrange a place for childbirth and future offspring. The female begins to pull off almost everything she finds: paper, toys, clothes, blankets, fabrics and other things. Most often, dogs choose secluded places for this purpose, in which puppies will be hidden from the eyes of strangers. The animal becomes inactive, ceases to love games, training and walking. In addition, the dog’s mood may also change. For example, often aggressive females become affectionate and kind, and calm females, on the contrary, begin to show aggression. Some dogs can become too sociable and start literally on the heels of walking for their master. And others, on the contrary, move away from a person, become nervous and restless.
After the imaginary time of labor has passed, the failed mother often starts playing with slippers and toys at home, taking them for her own puppies. The dog can even take them to their secluded place, lick them there and lay them under their belly. It will be very difficult to pick up toys or slippers from the den of the pet. The female perceives them as her cubs, which means that she will really protect. In this case, you may encounter aggression and anger of the animal.
How to cure a false pregnancy?
In most cases, a false pregnancy syndrome lasts no more than two weeks in a dog. After this time, after an imaginary birth, all the signs pass by themselves, and the animal begins to behave as before. However, there are more severe cases when a false pregnancy lasts a much longer period and is additionally accompanied by an apathetic state.
In the case of a mild form of the syndrome, it will be enough to use only some preventive measures. As a rule, this is enough for the condition to pass. However, one can never say exactly how long a false pregnancy will last, and how severe its form will be. What treatment methods to use can be understood only by examining in detail the dog’s health status.
In more severe forms of false pregnancy, veterinarians recommend the use of medications for treatment. As a rule, such treatment consists in taking hormonal drugs that help restore balance. However, in the case of a false pregnancy, the use of hormones is not recommended.
The most popular hormonal treatments for treating ailments in dogs are Bromocriptine, Parlodel, Cezoral, and Perlutex. Hormonal drugs very often entail the appearance of various side effects. That is why their use becomes difficult. Taking these drugs can trigger the appearance of diseases such as obesity and anemia, as well as the formation of malignant tumors. For this reason, hormonal treatment is prescribed only in the most extreme cases.
The safest treatment option is to take homeopathic remedies. A popular option is Ovariovit. This medicine can suppress false pregnancy. To stop the process of milk formation, the dog is prescribed a special remedy - Bromcamfort. This medicine also has a calming effect. Other drugs that affect lactation are Parlodel and Lacto-Stop.
The only drawback of the above drugs is that they cause various side effects, can provoke vomiting in the animal. Means for stopping milk production are not so popular, because not so much is formed during a false pregnancy. It is not recommended during this period to express milk in the dog, as from these actions it will only increase.Over time, lactation will decline, and the amount of milk will decrease.
To prevent the inflammatory process in the dog’s mammary glands, special warming agents can be used, for example, camphor oil in combination with camphor alcohol is well suited. With this mixture, you need to carefully treat the area of the mammary glands.
To calm the pet and return to normal its psychological state, it is recommended to use sedatives. Fitex or Stop-Stress is good.
How to prevent complications?
To avoid the occurrence of a severe form of false pregnancy in a dog, you should carefully monitor how the treatment process goes. If you notice a deterioration in the condition of your pet, you must immediately consult a veterinarian. He will choose the appropriate treatment option and prevent the onset of complications.
Why treat a dog?
In addition, during this period, mucus begins to accumulate in the uterus of the dog. If you do not suppress a false pregnancy in time, accumulations of mucus can provoke the development of inflammatory diseases and the appearance of suppuration.
It is very important when a dog develops signs of false pregnancy, carefully consider this phenomenon and provide assistance to the animal. It is highly not recommended during this period to scold the female, punish her and otherwise influence her behavior. False pregnancy becomes a real test for a female, therefore, one should treat this condition with understanding and show affection and care for the dog. Any measures and treatment must be agreed with the doctor so as not to harm the animal.
Video: false pregnancy in dogs
Submit