False pregnancy in dogs, is a common case often a Veterinarian encounters from the pet parents. The estimated prevalence is 50-60% in pet dogs. It can define as the physiological syndrome and clinical signs like a truly pregnant bitch in a non-pregnant bitch during the estrus (end of metestrus phases). Estrus is the reproductive stage of animals while showing a receptive attitude to males also known as heat. Cases of false pregnancy in dogs are frequently reported in bitch without any age and breed susceptibility. This article will focus on the diagnosis and management of false pregnancy in dogs.
Why does False Pregnancy in Dogs occur?
A hormone named prolactin might be responsible for the false pregnancy of dogs. However the actual pathophysiology is not yet clearly reported. Some authors also reported the nutritional effect on pseudo pregnancy as well. In the thumb rule, the imbalance of prolactin and progesterone hormone in the normal physiology of bitches can cause a false pregnancy in dogs. In some rare cases, false pregnancy is also reported after 2-3 months of surgical removal of the ovary and uterus (ovariohisteroctomy).
How to diagnose the false pregnancy in bitch?
In most cases, the symptoms of false pregnancy in dogs appear after 4-6 weeks of the previous heat period in your dog. The characteristics syndrome is just like the true pregnancy regardless of the mating of your bitch. The clinical sign is variable to individual while some show conspicuous signs and others may not show any type of clinical sign. There are no specific age and breed effects yet reported as the sign can appear in any age of the dog. We can broadly divide the clinical signs of false pregnancy as follows:
Behavioral changes in your bitch:
Usually, the signs of false pregnancy start with some behavioral changes in your dog as she thinks of herself as pregnant. Primarily restlessness, anorexia (loss of appetites), decreased regular activity and aggression are common. Later the maternal sign of a pregnant dog appeared. The maternal sign may include the nesting, adopting, and mothering objects like toys, etc. A details behaviours and training section is available on our website here
Nesting behavior:
Nesting behavior is a very common and normal phenomenon in truly pregnant bitch. It is just the preparation for creating a secure and safe nest/place for the upcoming puppy and further caring. But in the case of false pregnancy, the nesting behavior has also appeared at the later stage.
The dog will try to accumulate her daily used equipment to make the nest. She may tear the newspaper, drag the blanket in a calm place, or dig and ruffle the blanket. Sometimes she may carry some playing toys in the defined place for her upcoming puppy (though false!). She may also groom excessively as part of the nesting preparation and will try to relocate herself once she can fix the nesting place.
Adopting behavior:
Adopting tendency is the most common behavioral change in your bitch having a false pregnancy. It can also be termed Surrogate mothering. You bitch will try to adopt inanimate objects like toys, other hard objects like puppies. She will try to think of the objects as her surrogate puppy. Even your puppy will try to collect the bedding and nesting materials for the toy. Excessive restlessness and anxiety signs are displayed by the bitch if you try to separate the toy from her. At the later stage of the false pregnancy, she might also try to adopt another bitch’s puppy as her own.
Physiological changes in your bitch:
Certain physiological changes are happening in your bitch after the change of normal behaviors. These physiological parameter changes occur due to misinterpretation of pregnancy in the body’s endocrine system.
Changes in the mammary gland and lactation:
As your pet dog considers herself a pregnant animal, there will be some hormonal changes in the body. The mammary gland will be engorged and swell due to the effect of different reproductive hormones. In case of false pregnancy in dogs, even your bitch can produce milk from the mammary gland. You can observe the milk leaking from the mammary gland.
Sometimes the lactation may be hastened due to the induction of stimuli in the mammary gland by adopting a puppy. You can also check manually by pressing the tit of the mammary gland for the presence of milk. But only once for diagnosis is enough, repeated stimuli in tits will produce more milk.
Weight gain and abdominal contraction:
Rapide weight gain is common during false pregnancy in dogs. The basic reason behind the higher weight gain is taking more calories as she sees herself as pregnant. At the extreme and later part of the false pregnancy you bitch may show mock labor and increased abdominal contraction. You can see just that she is trying to deliver a pup.
Other clinical conditions:
Vomiting is often occurring during the false pregnancy in your bitch like a normal pregnant dog. Abnormally high urine production (polyuria), increased level of thirst (polydipsia), and increased food intake (polyphagia) are also common in the later stage of false pregnancy. However, clinical complications are rare in case of false pregnancy. Bitches, in which the above mentioned signs are severe, can cause clinical complications and are subject to treatment.
Confirmatory diagnosis:
As an owner of a pet dog, if you suspect a false pregnancy in your dog based on the above description, you need to consult with a veterinarian for a confirmatory diagnosis. Your veterinarian will check the health history, clinical signs as well as clinical examination. A veterinarian will also take into consideration the unscheduled or unwanted mating possibility in your bitch. He will also rule out the possibility of other diseases like late pregnancy, and pyometra as sign and symptoms are more or less the same in false pregnancy. In case of doubt, your veterinarian will go for an ultrasound or radiographic test & complete blood count (CBC) to confirm the condition.
What will happen to my pet having a false pregnancy?
Fortunately, false pregnancy is a self-limiting disease and will be cured over time. The outcome is favorable and in most cases, results can be achieved without treatment. However, some manegmental practices may be advised by your veterinarian during the false pregnancy period of your dog. A vet may suggest you to cold or warm pack to minimize the stimuli and mammary gland secretion. It can be simple cold water therapy in the mammary gland 1-2 times daily to desensitize the peripheral nerve of the mammary gland.
A collar will also suggest preventing the self stimuli in the mammary gland as well as nursing to other pups. If the dog gaining weight due to high-calorie intake, your veterinarian may also suggest strict food intake. It can also help in the production of milk and prevent long lactation. Ovariohysterectomy is recommended if you have not any plan to get a pup from your bitch.
The disease will improve within 2-3 weeks even without any treatment but you need to be soft and careful for your dog. The overall condition is related to mental state, so be kind to your dog and try to respect her emotions during the disease.
Reference consulted:
Gobello, C., Concannon, P. W., & Verstegen, J. (2001). Canine pseudopregnancy: a review. Recent advances in Small animal reproduction.
Grünau, B., Nolte, I., & Hoppen, H. O. (1996). [The treatment of pseudopregnancy in the bitch with prolactin inhibitors metergoline and bromocriptine]. Tierarztliche Praxis, 24(2), 149-155.
Johnston, S. D. (1980). False pregnancy in the bitch. Current Veterinary Theriogenology. Philadelphia: WB Saunders CO, 623-624.
Kustritz, R. (2003). Small animal theriogenology. Butterworth Heinemann.
