What Is False Pregnancy in Dogs?
False pregnancy in dogs, also known as pseudopregnancy or pseudocyesis, is a condition that can affect unspayed female dogs. It arises due to natural fluctuations in hormone levels, which deceive the body into believing it is pregnant and nearing childbirth.
Symptoms
Symptoms of false pregnancy in dogs mimic the behavioral and physical changes observed in a genuinely pregnant dog.
Behavioral Changes
Behavioral changes commonly seen in dogs experiencing phantom pregnancy include restlessness and nesting behavior. Dogs may gather blankets or other items to create a nest and may exhibit reluctance to leave this area. They may also exhibit maternal behaviors towards objects such as toys, carrying them around, placing them in their nest, and displaying protective behaviors.
False pregnancy can induce anxiety in dogs, leading to reactive or defensive responses if their nest or “puppies” are disturbed or moved. Some dogs may become so engrossed in these behaviors that they lose their appetite.
Physical Changes
Physically, dogs experiencing false pregnancy undergo changes in preparation for the birth of puppies. Their mammary glands and nipples enlarge evenly, sometimes producing milk. This swelling may cause discomfort, prompting dogs to lick the glands, leading to irritation. Occasionally, dogs may experience abdominal contractions.
In rare cases, dogs with false pregnancy may exhibit increased thirst, resulting in more frequent urination. They may also display increased hunger compared to their usual appetite.
Causes
False pregnancy in dogs occurs due to a rapid decline in the hormone progesterone and an increase in the hormone prolactin. These hormonal shifts typically take place in unspayed female dogs approximately 6-8 weeks after they have been in heat.
Similar hormonal changes can also occur in a female dog who has been spayed during a phase of the heat cycle characterized by high progesterone levels. The spaying procedure induces the same rapid decrease in progesterone as observed in a normal heat cycle, potentially leading to false pregnancy symptoms within 3-14 days following spaying.
Diagnosis
If your dog displays signs of a false pregnancy, it’s advisable to take her to the vet for examination. If her symptoms, medical history, and physical examination findings align with this condition, and there’s no possibility of actual pregnancy, the vet can diagnose false pregnancy without further testing.
However, if there’s a chance your dog might be pregnant, the vet will conduct a blood test to measure levels of a hormone called relaxin, aiding in the determination of pregnancy. Additionally, ultrasound or x-ray imaging may be utilized to ascertain if the dog is carrying puppies.
There exist other potential issues, some of them severe, that could manifest similar symptoms. If other causes besides false pregnancy are plausible for your dog’s symptoms, the vet will conduct a comprehensive physical examination. Further diagnostic measures might involve blood tests, urine analysis, x-rays, ultrasound, or biopsy of swollen mammary glands.
Treatment
Typically, false pregnancy in dogs resolves within 2-3 weeks without requiring any specific treatment. However, for dogs that excessively lick their nipples, a T-shirt, cone, or inflatable collar may be necessary to prevent irritation. It’s important to refrain from milking or touching your dog’s nipples and mammary glands, as this can stimulate further milk production.
In severe cases, medication may be administered to block the prolactin hormone responsible for inducing the symptoms.
Living and Management
Recovery and management of false pregnancy in dogs are typically associated with hormonal fluctuations. Your dog should return to her normal state within a few weeks as her hormones cycle naturally again. Unspayed female dogs may experience false pregnancies during each heat cycle.
Spaying effectively halts the heat cycle and hormonal changes, thereby preventing future occurrences of false pregnancies. However, if a dog undergoes spaying during an episode of false pregnancy, it will not cease the symptoms.
False Pregnancy in Dogs FAQs
What is the duration of a dog’s false pregnancy?
Usually, it lasts for 2-3 weeks, occasionally extending longer.
Is false pregnancy in dogs a dangerous condition?
No, these hormonal changes are natural and pose no harm to your dog.
How can I assist my dog during a false pregnancy?
You can support your dog by first consulting the vet to rule out any other underlying conditions, and then ensuring her comfort.
Utilize a T-shirt, cone, or inflatable collar to prevent her from licking or stimulating her nipples and mammary glands, which may lead to irritation and milk production.
How prevalent is false pregnancy in dogs?
It is exclusive to unspayed female dogs, and sometimes occurs in recently spayed female dogs. False pregnancy is a normal part of the hormonal cycle, hence some degree of symptoms is quite common in unspayed female dogs.
