My dog ​​has a false pregnancy – what to do and how to treat it?

Quite often, after a dog's heat cycle, a false pregnancy can occur, which is characterized by all the signs of a true pregnancy. This is indicated by all the dog's physical symptoms and behavior. This condition is not a disease in the strict sense of the word. It occurs in various animal species, but is most common in dogs.

Many owners are concerned about how long a false pregnancy lasts in dogs and how to help their pet in this condition.

Signs of false pregnancy in dogs

A special physiological condition can occur in unfertilized or even unmated bitches in the fifth to eighth week after estrus. There are quite a lot of reasons for such pregnancy.Most often, this is due to changes in hormone levels, with prolactin increasing and progesterone decreasing. A false pregnancy can also occur if the pet has thyroid problems.

The symptoms of this condition are very similar to the signs of a real pregnancy:

1. The dog becomes fidgety, nervous, and restless. It is reluctant to play and move.
2. The bitch's mammary glands swell, and in some cases, lactation may begin.
3. The belly increases in size and the color of the loop changes.
4. In a secluded place, the pet begins to make a nest out of paper or rags.
5. The dog refuses food or, on the contrary, eats and drinks more.
6. She behaves aggressively towards other bitches, but actively cuddles with her owner.
7. Sometimes toxicosis may occur in the form of vomiting in the morning and a rise in temperature.
8. Some girls, having dragged socks, rags and toys into the corner, can “give birth” there.

All signs of "spoon pregnancy" vary from dog to dog. This condition can be confused not only with a false pregnancy, but also with various hormonal disorders, endometritis, and vaginal infections.

The interesting fact is that to some extent the reason the occurrence of false pregnancy depends on heredityIn any case, this condition is dangerous for your pet and can have serious consequences:

• nervous disorders;
• sexually transmitted infections;
• pyometra, endometritis;
• ovarian, uterine, and breast cancer;
• mastitis.

If your dog shows signs of a false pregnancy, a proper diagnosis must be made before treatment can begin. This includes physical examination and palpation of the bitch. An ultrasound or abdominal X-ray may also be necessary.

Methods for relieving symptoms

Typically, the symptoms of pseudopregnancy last no more than twenty days. During this time The owner needs to be patient and help his petMost often, no special treatment is required.

Traditional methods

To alleviate the dog's symptoms, the dog's living conditions need to be "worsened." This will require:

1. Place your pet on a semi-starvation diet, eliminating dairy products and protein-rich foods. Feed small portions, including easily digestible, high-calorie foods.
2. Eliminate liquids from the diet and offer small amounts of water three times a day. However, water should be given after physical activity.
3. If a dog refuses to run, play, or obey commands, don't indulge it. It should be walked more, entertained, and distracted, but never pityed or coddled.
4. It is necessary to put away slippers, scarves, belts, soft toys, socks, that is, anything that might remind the pet of the puppy.

Thanks to these conditions, the dog's behavior may return to normal within a few days, and lactation should stop in about a week.

Sometimes owners stop lactation with cold compresses, which can be made from honey with egg yolk, aloe leaves and juice, cabbage leaves, and pulp. However, Veterinarians do not recommend resorting to such methods., since if your dog has mastitis, this can only make the situation worse. It is also not recommended:

1. Tightening the nipples with bandages. Compression impairs circulation and can lead to mastitis or tumors. To prevent the dog from trying to stimulate lactation and tearing the nipples, it's best to use a protective collar, blanket, or a snug but loose bandage.
2. To calm your pet's nervous system, avoid using herbal infusions or decoctions. Herbal infusions that are beneficial for humans may be toxic to animals. An agitated dog can be given special medications, such as Fitex and Stop-stress.
3. Expressing, massaging, and rubbing are contraindicated. Such stimulation leads to even more milk production.

Since false pregnancy can damage not only the animal's psyche but sometimes its physical health as well, in severe cases it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.

Drug treatment

If the symptoms of a false pregnancy arise due to hormonal changes, doctors prescribe treatment with hormonal agents. a competent doctor will not resort to using such drugsFirst, the dog undergoes tests, and only in severe cases is treatment prescribed:

• androgen;
• estrogen;
• progestogen.

Hormonal therapy must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, since various complications often arise after it:

• obesity;
• anemia;
• vaginal infections;
• pyometra;
• thrombocytopenia;
• cysts;
• Cancer.

After hormone treatment, the pet's health does not deteriorate immediately, but rather over several months. It is best to spay the female dog after hormone therapy. After the removal of the uterus and ovaries, the dog will already false pregnancy will never occur, and the most dangerous complications in the form of pyometra and cancer.

Homeopathic medicines

Before resorting to homeopathic treatment, the dog must be examinedSuch medications should never be taken during true pregnancy.

Unfortunately, there is no universal remedy for all cases. Your veterinarian may prescribe a customized regimen for your dog or a single medication. Although some doctors are skeptical of homeopathy, this treatment does have an effect. When taking homeopathic remedies The veterinarian must monitor the animal., so you'll need to visit the clinic regularly and have tests done. If homeopathic treatment is prescribed by a doctor, there are usually no side effects.

Since false pregnancy isn't a disease, it can't be cured. Its symptoms are only eliminated, and the dog's condition is alleviated. However, after the next heat, the symptoms and discomfort may return. Each time, you'll need to increase exercise, reduce the diet, or even resort to homeopathic or hormonal treatments. this weakens the pet's healthTherefore, it's best to prevent false pregnancy, for example, through spaying. However, for those keeping breeding females, this isn't an option. In this case, folk and homeopathic remedies, prescribed by a veterinarian, are used between matings.

If your pet has a false pregnancy, be patient. There's no need to get annoyed or scold your dog for making a nest out of your things. This behavior is dictated by instinctsThe owner must help their beloved dog survive the false pregnancy by caring for her patiently and tenderly.