Pseudogravidity, also known as false pregnancy. The condition in which the female dog’s body is preparing for giving birth, even though the dog is not pregnant. False pregnancy occurs after heat and can last up to several months. What causes it, how to tell, and what to do about it?
False pregnancy isn’t picky, it also affects cats. Veterinarian MVDr. Lenka Boudová, who discusses the topic on her website MetropoleVet+, states: “If we are really sure that, at any point, there has been no unwanted mating, we are dealing with so-called false pregnancy (pseudogravity), which occurs quite commonly in uncastrated female dogs.” Then she adds: “The occurrence of false pregnancy is relatively common and its onset can usually be expected 4-6 weeks after the heat.” False pregnancy in female dogs may last up to several months.
How to recognize false pregnancy and what causes it?
Without getting into too much detail, the hormonal level in the body of a female dog after ovulation (estrus) corresponds to the condition as if the dog was pregnant. The dog even shows all the signs of pregnancy. The physical symptoms, as mentioned by Doctor Boudová, include swollen mammary glands that produce milk, enlarged abdomen, vomiting, vaginal discharge and the opposite of inappetence, i.e. excessive appetite and therefore weight gain.
False pregnancy also affects the dog’s behaviour towards other dogs and her surroundings in general. A normally non-conflicted and playful dog may now react irritably to other dogs. You can also observe sadness, apathy and fatigue.
Most often, false pregnancy can be recognized when the female dog starts digging a bed and carrying and licking stuffed animals (or other toys). She may start looking for new places to lie down. Even if she is not allowed to lie in the bed or on the couch, you may find her there. Be nice to her, she is looking for the best shelter for her puppies.
Her body, simply put, prepares for giving birth and mimics everything that precedes it.
What to do? Can false pregnancy be treated?
The best you can do for your dog during this period is to keep her occupied. You can occupy her at home using dog puzzles. Go for longer walks. Generally, exercise is recommended as the best medicine. Controlling the drinking regime is very important, be sure to monitor excessive drinking and report it to the vet if necessary. You can also slightly reduce the feed ratio, the dog should definitely not feed excessively.
What not to do? Limit cuddling. Provide her with toys and if she brings any to her bed, hide them for the duration of the false pregnancy. She mistakenly thinks of them as her puppies. It is better to hide them when she is out with another family member, for example, so you don’t trigger an anxiety reaction. You can also wash the dog bed. “It is not recommended to warm the mammary gland or express milk, which will only increase production. Mild cooling of the mammary gland should be considered; observe if there is inflammation in any sections of the mammary gland.” Doctor Boudová advises on her website.
The worst thing about false pregnancy is that it is a repeated occurrence. Owners of female dogs suffering from it will be advised by their vet to have their dogs neutered. Prolonged pseudogravidity can cause inflammation of the mammary glands, which can turn into cancer. The ovaries, uterus or bladder can also suffer. And you also have to take into account the psyche of your canine companion, which takes a beating during this period.
Arthritis ranks among the most frequent diseases of the joints in dogs. It is accompanied by pain and limitations for physical activity. And because it cannot be cured I’ll give you some tips how to make the life of your buddy with arthritis easier.
It is nowadays completely normal to have dog restaurants, saloons and spas. People try to indulge their pets with all the luxurious things. Some procedures are more helpful than others. But thalassotherapy is one of those that can have a positive...
Nowadays even our pets are subject to diseases of civilization. Obesity is no good for them as well as for people. Do you know how to tell if your cat is obese and what are its causes and consequences?
The season of ticks is back again and so it is the right time to start protecting our pets. These parasites also bring anaplasmosis except from borreliosis. And the fact that this disease is not generally know does not undermine its serious impacts on...
You, as cat keepers, will probably be frightened when hearing “cat plague”. But precisely this phrase is sometimes used for panleukopenia which is a very dangerous cat disease. You may not only prevent it thanks to information obtained but to identify...
The whiskers on cats’ face are probably too noticeable to ignore them. But do you know all the places where cat’s whiskers with sense of touch are? And do you know how this comprehensive tactile body functions?
As you might know, the assistance dogs help people with various physical or mental disabilities nowadays. But there is a program in the US and in other countries which helps children to improve their reading and communication skills.
We are all try to give our dog companions the best, from health care to the leisure activities. Nutrition is no exception to that and it is prone to modern trends similar to those of regular human food. Reducing or opting out the grain from the diet is...
Whether it has undergone castration or any other surgery, your dog needs to rest more after it. But this can sometimes seem almost impossible. To “force” your beloved pet to rest is not easy, indeed. A few tips how to handle this situation follow.
The last time, I shared with you my opinions on castrations in general and I’ve named the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure in bitches. Now, let’s take a look, how it is with dogs.
Castration is still quite a tricky and discussed topic. Today, I will introduce you to the facts about this procedure and about its consequences and I will also share my opinion.
If you have one of the furry furring balls at home, maybe you know, in what kind of devil some of them are capable of turning into, if you need to give them a pill. If your cat belongs precisely among those, in which it’s almost a superhuman task, I...
