False pregnancy is most commonly seen in female dogs (although cats may rarely be affected). Hormone changes after a ‘season’ or heat convince her and her body that she is pregnant. It is sometimes called phantom pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. The hormone changes that cause false pregnancy are normal in the dog but sometimes the symptoms get out of hand and are distressing for the dog and her owners. Show
Is phantom pregnancy in dogs common?50-75% of unspayed female dogs will experience a noticeable false pregnancy during their lifetime. It is thought by some biologists that it evolved as a useful condition for wolf packs and continues in the domestic dog. If a number of aunties in the pack experience false pregnancy and produce milk, any wolf cubs in the pack would be more likely to survive. False pregnancies do occur in other mammals. For example, in rabbits, they can occur in stressful situations. The doe may be seen to nest obsessively and lose weight. They are thankfully less common in cats and humans. What are the symptoms of a false pregnancy?A dog can display a range of symptoms. These can be grouped together in physical changes and uncharacteristic behaviours. Physical SignsThe signs of false pregnancy are usually seen 4-8 weeks after a season. Researchers from Glasgow vet school (Root and others) published a helpful review from the experiences of almost 400 vets in 2018. They found that the most common finding was enlargement of the mammary glands (breasts). Clear fluid brownish fluid or milk may be produced by the swollen glands. Most female dogs who show symptoms will be restless and anxious, unsettled by the change in hormones. They often eat less and are less keen to interact with people and go for walks. Rarely, they vomit and their abdomens appear swollen. Behavioural indicatorsAlong with these physical changes, behavioural changes are common. Usually, the dog will act as if she has had pups. She may collect soft toys, cushions, shoes, socks or other objects from around the house and take them to her bed or a chosen corner. She will then mother them: hide them, guard them and lick them. At this time, she may become aggressive and protective of her nest and imaginary babies. It is important not to misunderstand her at this point. She honestly believes these are pups so it is best to distract her with walks and cuddles when possible, rather than try to encourage her to give them up. She is likely to become uncharacteristically aggressive if she feels the safety of her pups is in question. Even the sweetest family pet can growl and even bite in this situation. It is believed by some behaviourists that if a dog is spayed when she is experiencing false pregnancy, she may behave more aggressively. This is why vets tend to advise spaying a reasonable time after a season.
What do you do about a false pregnancy?First, consider carefully whether this is a false pregnancy. Is there any chance that she was mated while in season? In these instances, visit your vet for an ultrasound examination to confirm whether this is a false pregnancy or just a surprise pregnancy. Swollen mammary glands and milk production can make the bitch lick herself until she is sore. This can lead to more milk production and sometimes infection. So, it is important to stop her if she is licking excessively. An Elizabethan collar, inflatable collar, romper suit or T-shirt can be used to stop her licking. Some sources will suggest restricting food and water to make her milk dry up. There could cause far more problems and is not advisable. Warm compresses on her abdomen will encourage milk production rather than give her relief. This is a normal condition and will usually pass in 1-2 weeks. When to see a vet?If your dog seems unwell, becomes lethargic or she isn’t eating then visit your vet. Unfortunately, a womb infection or pyometra can also occur after a season and this is a dangerous condition. She may have a vaginal discharge and vomit with a pyometra or just seem very unwell. Mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, can also make her ill. If signs of false pregnancy go on for more than 2-3 weeks or she is uncomfortable with her mammary swelling then medication can be used to reverse the hormone changes and resolve the false pregnancy. Some dogs have marked false pregnancies after every season, others are very distressed by marked symptoms. Spaying (ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy) offers a permanent solution to the condition, as there are no further seasons. The decision to spay also protects her against unwanted pregnancies, womb infections and can be protective against mammary cancer. As we have seen, false pregnancy is usually a mild, physiologically normal state but in some dogs it causes distress and discomfort. Fortunately, the signs are easily treated when recognised. Share your experiences with false pregnancies and ask any questions on the topic below. You may also be interested in;
After every season or heat, there are hormonal changes which prepare a bitch’s body for pregnancy, even though they are not pregnant. This may be because naturally, dogs would live in groups and the more female dogs that can help with puppies the better. Some females are more affected by the hormones than others and these bitches may suffer symptoms. How long will my dog’s phantom pregnancy last?This depends on the severity of the symptoms. A phantom pregnancy in a dog can last anywhere from a week to a month. What are the symptoms of a phantom pregnancy?Signs that your dog may be experiencing a phantom pregnancy include:
What should I do if I suspect that my dog is having a phantom pregnancy?Take them to see your vet, who will be able to rule out a real pregnancy or any other medical conditions which can cause similar symptoms. How is a phantom pregnancy in a dog treated?Unless symptoms persist for a long period of time, treatment is not normally necessary and the phantom pregnancy will normally stop on its own. Milk will dry up more quickly if the glands are not stroked or bathed. Long-term, neutering is recommended. Can I prevent my dog from having a phantom pregnancy?Yes, by getting your dog neutered. In female dogs, this involves removing the uterus and ovaries. Not only does it prevent pregnancy, and false pregnancies, it also reduces the risk of breast cancers and eliminates the possibility of potentially-fatal infections of the womb. Read more about the benefits of neutering here.
Your good girl is showing all the signs of becoming a mama—she's nesting, her nipples are swollen, maybe her belly is big. It's certainly possible that she's actually pregnant. However, it could be a common syndrome called false pregnancy. False pregnancy in dogs looks just like regular pregnancy, but there are no actual puppies developing in her uterus. If you know for certain that your dog has not mated, then this is the most likely reason for the physical and behavioral changes you're seeing. False pregnancy in dogs is pretty much what it sounds like: an unspayed female dog shows signs of pregnancy when she is not actually pregnant. Other names for this syndrome include pseudopregnancy, pseudocyesis, pseudogenetra, phantom pregnancy, and nervous lactation. During false pregnancy, hormones cause the body to mimic pregnancy even though conception has not taken place. This is a common occurrence in unspayed female dogs and can happen whether or not she has mated with a male. To understand false pregnancy, you have to understand the female dog's reproductive system, which is controlled by hormones produced in the pituitary gland and the ovaries. Hormones are chemical messengers that tell the body what to do, and the primary ones involved in false pregnancy are estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. As early as 6 months of age, intact (unspayed) female dogs experience puberty and begin having heat cycles. Each cycle has four stages: proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. Proestrus is a period of vaginal bleeding or discharge that most people call "heat." It lasts about nine days and leads up to estrus, the fertile stage. One to two days into estrus, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise. This stimulates ovulation and prepares the dog's body for pregnancy. If the eggs are not fertilized, they die within a few days. If she's actually pregnant, she'll have her puppies about 62 to 65 days after conception. Diestrus begins after estrus and lasts about 60 days, whether or not the dog is pregnant. Hormonally speaking, diestrus and pregnancy are quite similar. Diestrus itself is considered "covert" pseudopregnancy—the changes occurring inside the body are similar to pregnancy, but the dog is not showing signs of pregnancy. The progesterone hormone peaks around day 15–30 of diestrus, stimulating uterine enlargement, then begins to decline until it reaches a low point around the 60-day mark. The fall of progesterone triggers a rise in prolactin, a mammary-stimulating hormone. It's normal for dogs at this stage to have swollen nipples, even when there is no pregnancy. But if the dog is pregnant, she should have her puppies within a few days. Next comes anestrus, a period of uterine repair and rest that lasts about 5-7 months. This occurs between diestrus and proestrus, even if puppies were born. Sometimes, at the end of diestrus, prolactin levels rise more than they should in non-pregnant dogs, tricking the body into thinking that puppies are definitely on the way. During this "overt" pseudopregnancy, dogs can experience everything that comes with real pregnancy ... except for actual puppies. The signs of false pregnancy in dogs are similar to the signs of late pregnancy and the early postpartum period. If you track your dog's cycle, you can expect signs to become more prominent towards the end of diestrus. You may notice physical and behavioral changes that range from mild to severe, including: Less-common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, and a ravenous appetite. False pregnancy in dogs is usually not a dangerous condition, but prolonged lactation may lead to mammary infections. So how can you tell if your dog is experiencing a false pregnancy and isn't actually pregnant? If you are absolutely certain that your girl did not mate with a male, then it's probably a false pregnancy. However, both males and females will go to great lengths to mate when the female is in heat, so it's possible that a secret rendezvous happened behind your back. You'll need to visit your vet to be sure, because it's not something you can see with the naked eye. It's also important for your vet to rule out serious conditions like pyometra. Your vet can determine whether or not your dog is pregnant through a few different methods:
The exact cause of false pregnancy in dogs isn't fully understood. The female canine reproductive cycle is designed for a pregnancy to occur at each estrus phase. All of her hormones are working together, "expecting" a pregnancy to happen. Sometimes, it seems, these chemical messages get their signals crossed and behave as if there are really puppies developing in the uterus. Anything that causes a fall in progesterone can lead to false pregnancy. It may occur after spay surgery if the dog has already reached puberty. This can be avoided by spaying dogs before they begin their first heat cycle (ideally before 6 months of age). Dogs receiving progesterone therapy may experience false pregnancy after treatment is stopped. The typical treatment for false pregnancy in dogs is actually no treatment at all. Most false pregnancies resolve on their own within 2–3 weeks. However, it's important to see your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Dogs with severe symptoms may need medications to reduce lactation. Tranquilizers and sedatives may help in cases where the dog is stressed or anxious. There are also some steps you can take at home to help your dog through a false pregnancy. Above all—keep your dog from licking her abdomen and nipples, as this will increase lactation. Some dogs need to wear a cone to keep them from licking the area. As tempting as it may seem, don't try to milk the mammary glands or apply heat or cold packs to the area. Your vet may advise an abdominal wrap to apply pressure and reduce lactation. Temporary water reduction may reduce lactation due to borderline dehydration, but this is risky and should only be done under a vet's direct supervision. If you don't plan to breed your dog, spaying is recommended to keep a phantom pregnancy from happening again. Because spaying during a false pregnancy can prolong the signs, most vets advise waiting to spay until after the signs subside. RELATED: How Much Does It Cost to Spay or Neuter a Dog? |