Many do not understand the causes of this phenomenon and consider it a disease. But a false pregnancy is a specific condition, not an anomaly. It occurs completely in different animals, although it is in dogs that is most pronounced.
Causes of false pregnancy in dogs
In those days, when dogs lived in a wild environment and lived in packs, the bitches brought their puppies around the same time. Nature, thus, arranged their body so that the maximum number of babies could survive. Even non-pregnant individuals, when they started the mechanism of false pregnancy, could feed the common offspring. Usually, this condition can occur in the period from 4 to 9 weeks after estrus .
Signs of a false pregnancy in dogs
Almost all signs of a normal and false pregnancy at first coincide. The dog's body produces the same hormones, and the bitch feels accordingly. The mammary glands, the abdomen, the discharge, the colostrum develop, the loss of appetite may occur. The behavior of a bitch changes. She starts arranging for herself a den, carries toys there and starts nursing them, carefully licking. An animal can become nervous and even protect its unwanted guests from its lair.
False pregnancy in dogs treatment
There was a lot of controversy between specialists and simple dog breeders about this phenomenon. Especially many frictions are caused by methods of treatment. But it all depends on the individual characteristics of each dog. For most of them, this phenomenon itself fades, and it is not worth it to interfere. It usually ends in three weeks. In especially severe cases, to prevent false pregnancy in dogs, specialists offer sterilization. But in some cases, even after such an intervention, relapses occur.
There are simple rules, observance of which will help your dog:
- More to walk with her during this period, which will help a little tighten the stomach and leave the milk, and a tired animal will think less about puppies.
- Try not to stimulate lactation. You can wrap the bandage around your abdomen for these purposes, restricting access to the nipples.
- Special diet. It is advisable to cut the portion of food by almost half, removing the meat and fats from the menu. In order not to produce milk, reduce the amount of liquid consumed by it. You can switch from buckwheat to buckwheat or rice porridge (without salt and oil) with a little water. This will help to eliminate puffiness and the milk will disappear.
The simplest research method for diagnosing this condition is an ultrasound examination, which has now become very affordable. In severe cases, hormone therapy is recommended, which is prescribed by experienced specialists. The use of such drugs can cause various complications in the form of weight gain, vaginitis, anemia, endometritis and other diseases. If there was an error, and the pregnancy was real, then such drugs cause its interruption. An alternative to this treatment are homeopathic remedies (ovariovitis, etc.). In some cases, their use gave excellent results.
Consequences of false pregnancy in dogs
The most common disease that can cause this condition is mastitis. Nipples are recommended to lubricate (camphor oil can be used) or make compresses. Very often there are relapses. They are associated with the fact that in the ovaries the reduction occurs within 70 days. In some females, this phenomenon is very pronounced, others carry it calmly and without special consequences. Also often their owners complain of mental disorders. Animals are too excited during this period. It is best to contact the veterinarian and decide how to proceed, based on the specific situation.