Pseudo Pregnancy in Dogs
Pseudo pregnancies, also called false pregnancies and pseudocyesis, occur when a dog mistakenly feels as though it is pregnant. According to Mar Vista Vet, dogs that are suffering from pseudocyesis will act as though they are about to give birth, often creating birthing areas with towels, blankets and pillows. Often pseudo pregnancies will resolve on their own; however, some require treatment from veterinarians.
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Heat Cycle
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Dogs typically go into heat once every six to eight months. Three phases occur during the heat cycle: proestrus, estrus and diestrus. During diestrus, dogs typically experience an episode of false pregnancy. Mar Vista Vet states that even though the dog may not be pregnant, her body thinks it is, as it will create the hormones that are present in pregnant dogs. Many dogs go through this time period feeling and acting normally, while others will start to think they are actually pregnant.
Causes
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In addition to the normal hormones that occur in the body and cause the false pregnancies, there are other contributing factors. Dr. Debra Primovic of Pet Place states that spaying a dog during the diestrus phase of the cycle can create a false pregnancy. This is due to the high progesterone levels that occur during the reproductive cycle. In addition, dogs with hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland is under-active, can experience false pregnancies due to changes in the blood.
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Symptoms
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Dogs that are experiencing pseudo pregnancies will display similar symptoms. Many will nest, in which they prepare a designated area to give birth. Some dogs will even lactate, mother inanimate objects such as stuffed animals, appear to have enlarged stomachs and act as though they are giving birth.
Diagnosis
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The way to diagnose a false pregnancy is to determine whether the dog is actually expecting. The veterinarian will likely examine the dog and feel for the puppies. In addition, he will obtain a history, determining whether or not the dog was bred and the time of the heat cycles. Radiographs and ultrasounds can confirm or deny the presence of puppies. The doctor may also run blood tests to determine if the dog is actually pregnant.
Treatment
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Dr. Primovic states that most false pregnancies resolve on their own in about three weeks. However, those that do not may require medication to decrease milk production. It is important to not touch the dog's mammary glands, as this will stimulate more milk production, which can increase the likelihood of inflammation. Typically, when milk production ends, the false pregnancy will as well.
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References
- Photo Credit mother dog with puppy image by Phaedra Wilkinson from Fotolia.com
