How to help a dog with a false pregnancy?

It’s not a disease

Veterinarians claim that every second unneutered dog experienced a false pregnancy. It is impossible to say unequivocally which breeds are more prone to false pregnancy. But experts say it’s not uncommon for small dogs like dachshunds and beagles to have false pregnancies.

After estrus in a dog, there comes a period when the genitals produce hormones corresponding to pregnancy. This does not depend on whether the dog became pregnant during estrus or not. The brain can respond to signals from the body by producing the hormone prolactin. It is he who is responsible for the production of mother’s milk.

These processes in the body of your non-pregnant pet lead to the fact that she fully programs herself for early motherhood. Signs of false pregnancy in dogs can be divided into psychological and physiological.

Psychological aspects include changes in behavior and eating habits. The female becomes more affectionate in communication with the household. Or more sad and withdrawn. Begins to refuse food or suddenly lean on unloved food.

The physiological aspects are even more noticeable. The nipples swell, milk is secreted. Loop discharges are possible. The belly becomes larger, your pet may gain weight.

What are the causes of false pregnancy in dogs?

False pregnancy may result from unsuccessful mating. You and your dog are both counting on healthy offspring, but they do not appear. Or your pet has already experienced pregnancy and is now “recreating” this already familiar state. A failed mother follows her instincts and continues to believe in the need to take care of puppies. The place of puppies is occupied by soft toys and household items, and even the owners of the dog.

How to distinguish a false pregnancy in a dog from a real one? If during estrus you isolated your pet and know for sure that there was no mating, then we are talking about false puppies. If the mating was and turned out to be successful, then already at the three-week period, the ultrasound will show how the puppies develop in the womb.

False pregnancy does not mean there is something wrong with your dog. In each female, this condition proceeds in its own way. It is possible that in three to four weeks the body of your ward will return to normal on its own.

How to help a pet?

How long does a false pregnancy last in dogs? If this condition does not disappear on its own, then about the same as a real pregnancy. Average 61 days. But there are times when the symptoms of false pregnancy appear within a few months.

Often, a pet needs help in overcoming this problem. It all depends on the frequency and severity of the condition, the duration of false pregnancies. There are some easy ways to support your four-legged pet.

False pregnancy in dogs may be accompanied by aggression towards household members, towards familiar people, to whom your pet reacted calmly before. It is very important at these moments not to show aggression towards the dog. If your ward growls at the guests, do not scold her. She is guided by the instinct of the mother, the protector of offspring.

If your dog’s nipples are swollen, don’t let him lick them. This will only provoke the production of milk. Put a blanket on your four-legged pet, but fasten it so that it sits freely on the body. Or you can lubricate the nipples with camphor oil if your pet is not allergic to it. When roughening the nipples, doctors recommend using arnica ointment in the morning and evening.

Adjusting your diet and drinking will help reduce the production of hormones responsible for a dog’s pseudo-pregnancy condition. Reduce protein intake, replace dry food with wet food. After dry food, the pet will want to drink, but the amount of liquid consumed during this period just needs to be limited. As soon as the dog drinks, remove the bowl of water. If, due to the false pregnancy, the dog is already pretending to be the nursing mother of the “puppies”, remove all small toys from her. Take away all the blankets, from which she has probably already set up cozy nests. Walk your dog more and play. Physical activity will help her get in shape faster and distract her from “motherly” worries.

We talked about the first aid that owners can provide when they notice signs of a false pregnancy in dogs. Your pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian. The use of any drugs without the advice of a doctor can cause dangerous consequences.

Often dogs tolerate false pregnancies without any problems. The doctor will be able to confirm that everything is fine with your pet. Gives advice on nutrition. He will prescribe homeopathic medicines and procedures that will help your dog. In rare cases, the dog tolerates false pregnancy very hard, the condition negatively affects the joints, musculoskeletal functions. With this development of events, hormone therapy may be required.

Hormonal preparations are used strictly according to the doctor’s prescription.

Prevention

False pregnancy in dogs can be repeated many times. It happens that the female falls into this state after each estrus. If you are breeding puppies, remember that after pregnancy and childbirth, the probability of a false pregnancy in the next estrus is very high.

If your pet has false pregnancies often and is painful for her, there is reason to think about radical sterilization. Frequent false pregnancies can provoke a number of diseases. Sterilization must be carried out when the false pregnancy is definitely left behind. It’s better to wait. Neutering during a false pregnancy is fraught with the fact that the symptoms of false pregnancy may remain in the dog for several months or even for life. Neutering will help your pet forget about the problem of false pregnancies forever.

There is a less radical way to prevent false pregnancy in dogs. Mark on your calendar when your pet is in heat. After some time – from 10 days to a month and a half, everything is individual – begin to increase physical activity, reduce the amount of food and drink. This is a temporary measure. So the dog’s body will receive a signal that now is not the time to have offspring.

We hope that you and your pet will overcome this difficult period in an atmosphere of mutual understanding.