Does your female dog seem grouchy and out of sorts, or has she started hoarding toys and growling at you if you approach?
Unspayed dogs are surprisingly susceptible to phantom pregnancies, which can deceive both owners and pets into believing a litter of puppies is due. That might sound like a fun concept, but it could also be scary depending on your viewpoint.
Although false pregnancy symptoms should go away on their own, they can be mistaken for a number of serious conditions, so taking your dog to the vet is a good idea.
Continue reading for information on canine “pseudo-pregnancies” and how to insure your dog to ensure that your vet bills are covered.
How can I find out if my dog is really pregnant?
If your female dog has recently found a mate, you might be excited by the signs of pregnancy before being deeply disappointed when they prove to be false.
You might be alarmed to think that you’ll soon have an unexpected litter of puppies with an unknown sire on your hands if you haven’t recently introduced your animal to a mate!
You’ll probably be curious about your pet’s mating ritual and how she found her partner, as well as how you intend to place all the puppies that seem to be on the way in loving homes.
Your veterinarian can tell you what’s up by performing a blood or urine test, regardless of whether you’re hoping your dog is pregnant or not. To make sure there aren’t any puppies on the way, they might also perform an ultrasound or x-ray.
Reliable pet insurance pays for vet bills, enabling you to take care of your cherished canine no matter what her condition may be.
A fictitious pregnancy should be viewed as a lucky escape and a warning sign if you do not intend to breed from your dog. As soon as possible, schedule your pet’s spaying; ask your veterinarian for more information.
How to Determine if a Pregnancy is False
If your dog exhibits pregnancy symptoms and behavior, you should determine whether the pregnancy is real or fake. You don’t need to be concerned about this if you know your dog has mated and plan to breed puppies.
If you don’t want to have children and are unaware of any possible matings, you must ascertain whether the dog is actually pregnant.
Take your dog to the veterinarian and get some x-rays when you notice that she is exhibiting pregnancy symptoms. There are some actions you can take if the veterinarian determines it is not a real pregnancy (more on that in a moment).
You don’t need to seek treatment if the symptoms aren’t severe and don’t appear to be harming your dog because they will go away in a few weeks.
Some treatments have been shown to be effective when the symptoms are mostly behavioral and mild. Here are two remedies you can administer to your dog at home without consulting a veterinarian:
Lactation:
Your dog’s nipples will begin to secrete milk in preparation for nursing puppies.
FAQ
Can dogs go through false labor?
Some unfortunate animals even go into false labor and experience contractions. Other symptoms are more difficult to separate from those that are typical of other conditions. They include lethargy, depression, restlessness, anxiety or clinginess.
How common is false pregnancy in dogs?
False pregnancy is a common condition in unneutered female dogs. Pseudocyesis, or phantom pregnancy in dogs, are other names for it. At least once in their lives, 80% of female unspayed dogs who still have their ovaries and uteruses will display some symptoms of a false pregnancy.
How do I know if my dog is having trouble in labor?
Without giving birth to a pup, the steady, strong contractions have lasted for more than 30 minutes. When there are more puppies to be delivered, the extended resting phase lasts for more than 4 hours. There is a foul smelling or bloody vaginal discharge. The mother-to-be has excessive vomiting or is extremely lethargic.
What to do if your dog is having a false pregnancy?
- Treatment is typically not necessary because all ovulating dogs, whether pregnant, not pregnant, or falsely pregnant, experience the same phase of high progesterone levels after heat or estrus.
- Outpatient for medical treatment.
- Inpatient—planned surgery.