What is false pregnancy in dogs?
False pregnancy is common in female dogs. Dogs are descended from wolves. Among wolves and wild dogs, only the ‘alpha’ females mate; the other females experience false pregnancies. They then also feed and care for the puppies of others. When a domestic dog experiences a false pregnancy, this can be very unpleasant for both the owner and the dog.
Cause
False pregnancy is a hormonal disorder that can occur in all dog breeds. It can develop approximately 2 to 3 months after a heat cycle. From the start of the heat cycle, progesterone levels begin to rise and then fall again once milk production starts. From this point onward, the hormone prolactin increases, stimulating milk production and maternal behaviour. The increased secretion of prolactin results from an overly rapid decrease in progesterone concentration as the corpora lutea in the ovaries regress. False pregnancy often also causes behavioural changes in female dogs. For example, they may become snappy or, conversely, extremely affectionate.
Symptoms of false pregnancy
- Enlarged mammary glands. Milk or a brown to bloody-red fluid may come out of them.
- Behavioural changes; some female dogs become more aggressive and nervous, as they now seemingly protect their unborn puppy.
- Changes in the amount of food they eat; most female dogs eat less, while others eat much more.
- Female dogs experiencing a false pregnancy enjoy walks much less, as they want to stay close to the nest. Some female dogs need a great deal of attention and regularly come and sit on your lap.
Treatment of false pregnancy
A false pregnancy often resolves on its own within 2 to 4 weeks. It is important to provide your dog with as much distraction as possible. It is best to put away her toys, as the female dog thinks they are her puppies and will defend them. You should also make sure that she does not build a nest.
Spaying
False pregnancy can recur after every heat cycle; to prevent this, you can have your female dog spayed. You can also give her medication that inhibits prolactin production through hormonal action; this medication is available from your veterinarian. Homeopathic products such as Puur Schijnzwanger may also help with false pregnancy. Female dogs that experience false pregnancies too often are more likely to develop mammary gland tumours. In addition, false pregnancy can lead to uterine inflammation. In that case, spaying the female dog is recommended.
