False Pregnancy

[edhartist]

Our Suzie is in false pregnancy for the second time. We want to have her spayed, but they said we have to wait 101/2 weeks after her last spotting. We dont know when she came into heat as she hardly ever spots. Does the false pregnancy start after her heat is done? How would we count that time period? HELP!

[peachesmom1sc]

found this hope it will help


FALSE PREGNANCY IN THE DOG

FALSE PREGNANCY IN THE DOG occurs when the bitch produces both physical and psychological changes that are a nuisance to the bitch and the owner. The psychological changes in the owner arise most often when informed that their prize bitch is NOT pregnant after all! The bitch will often produce milk, engage in nesting activity and look like she's pregnant. It's amusingly sad to see the affected dog try to persuade a tennis shoe to nurse! These visible changes take place beginning about 4 weeks after the heat cycle begins (estrus) and can continue for a number of weeks. False pregnancies are always unpredictable and can show up whether or not a mating has occurred. Often so much milk is produced the bitch becomes uncomfortable. Once a dog has had a false pregnancy she's likely to be afflicted again.

APPEARANCE
Most dogs experiencing a false pregnancy will begin to show some swelling in the mammary glands about five weeks after their heat cycle has ended. If you have bred your bitch, you will be elated that she "is getting ready to have pups". You might also be surprised that she "isn't filling out much". You will wonder why she isn't starting to show a big belly. Many dogs whether they are bred or not, will develop a false pregnancy, and look, act, and even think as if they are pregnant. Some will carry small toys or pillows around and even start digging a nesting site wherever they please. When the time draws near to when they would be delivering the pups, usually 63 days after a mating, milk will drain on its own from the mammary glands. Some dogs are really troubled that they cannot find the pups they psychologically feel they should be nursing.

CAUSE OF FALSE PREGNANCY IN THE DOG
The exact hormonal mechanisms that must occur to trigger false pregnancy are as yet unknown. We do know that a combination of interacting hormones including estrogen, adrenal hormones, and prolactin from the pituitary gland influence milk production in the mammary glands. Prolactin levels seem to be the main culprit, but why this hormone does what it does when it shouldn't is a subject for future research.

Fortunately 90% of false pregnancies resolve over a period of three weeks with no treatment. Since no real harm is done there's no reason to speed up what nature will take care of in time. For about 10% of bitches, though, the psychological effects directing [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]mothering[/COLOR][/COLOR] behavior are so intense that the bitch is miserable. She's continually searching for pups that aren't there and seeking relief from the mammary gland engorgement that's making her uncomfortable. Mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, if it were to occur at this time could be particularly dangerous.

On occasion, in about 10% of false pregnancy cases, treatment is warranted. Various hormonal substances have been used to hasten the reabsorption of milk and to halt the milk production. None of these medications is entirely safe so close veterinary supervision is necessary. Most often the [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]veterinarian[/COLOR][/COLOR] will administer a hormone to interrupt the dog's secretions of internal hormones that may be promoting the production of more milk.

BREEDING SOUNDNESS
Any bitch showing false pregnancy is apt to have a reoccurrence in the future. There is NO reason NOT to breed this bitch but she may be a poor producer. There seems to be a greater risk of pyometra, a severe infection of the uterus, in any female dog that has had false pregnancies. Learn more about Pyometra in the Surgery Room. There's no way of predicting the outcome of any breeding but many bitches that have had a false pregnancy have gone on to whelp normal, healthy litters. Evidence does not indicate that false pregnancies are an inherited disorder.

[edhartist]

Thank you. How long does her heat cycle usually last?

[peachesmom1sc]

How Long Does Heat Last?

If your dogs in heat, how long will it last?


The heat period varies from 8 to 30 days with an average of about 20 days. Most female dogs will allow breeding around 10 to 16 days after start of the cycle.
You should consider your pet to be "in heat" for 21 days: 7 days coming into heat, 7 days in heat, 7 days going out. Though conception is most likely during the middle 7 days. If you want to ensure that your dog will not become pregnant, you should keep her confined for the entire 3 week period. Again, not all dogs follow with the norm. Watch your female and record her cycle. It will usually stay the same throughout her lifetime.

[peachesmom1sc]

What Is Heat?

How To Know When Your Dogs In Heat


Estrus ("heat") is the mating period of female animals. When estrus occurs, animals are said to be "in heat" or "in season." Dogs generally have their first estrous cycle at 6-12 months of age. Large breeds may not have their first estrus until they are 12-24 months of age.
Female dogs in heat are somewhat similar to a human female in menstruation. During the "heat" cycle, the dog may became pregnant.

The estrous cycle:

1. Proestrus: Starts with the appearance of vaginal bleeding. It normally lasts from 4 to 9 days. Increased swelling of the vulva and possibly an increase in urination. Male dogs become very persistent, but she will not yet mate with them.

2. Estrus: The female will accept the male and conception can occur. The vaginal discharge is more yellowish than bloody. Usually, the stage lasts for 4 to 13 days. Your female will allow any male dog to breed with her at this time.

Metestrus and anestrus: Periods of ovarian activity, but with no symptoms. False pregnancies can occur during metestrus.

Symptoms:

The dog will bleed from the vagina, may have swelling of the vulva and increased urination.
Small dogs will of course have less bleeding and the swelling may be harder to spot.

[peachesmom1sc]

Common Questions about dogs in heat/season

10 Common Questions Most Asked


1. At what age do female dogs first go into heat?

As early as six months of age. Most dogs are sexually mature by one year of age, but some dogs may not reach sexual maturity until 18 months of age.

2. How many times a year do female dogs go into heat?

This varies from dog to dog, but typically female dogs go into heat one to four times per year.

3. During what times of the year can a female dog get pregnant?

The heat cycles of most dogs are not affected by the season. So, dogs can potentially become pregnant at any time of the year.

4. What is the gestation period for a pregnant dog?

58 to 68 days. 65 days is average.

5. Can dogs become pregnant while they are nursing puppies?

Unlike cats, dogs are very unlikely to become pregnant while they are nursing. However, they can go into heat and become pregnant as early as three months after giving birth.

6. At what age do unspayed female dogs stop giving birth to puppies?

Fertility gradually declines over time, there is no particular age after which a female dog can no longer become pregnant.

7. Can dogs from the same litter mate and produce litters?

Yes!

8. If my dog is pregnant, can she be spayed?

Yes. The surgery, however, can be slightly more difficult in a pregnant dog. This is one reason why it is so important to have your dog spayed before her first heat.

9. Can dogs be spayed/neutered if they've been sick?

Yes, but it is a good idea to wait a little while.

10. Should I allow my female dog to have one litter before spaying her?

No. There is absolutely no benefit to the dog in doing this.



What to do when your dog is in heat?


Once you have noticed the signs mentioned above and realised that your dog is in heat, what should do? How should you care for your dog?

Well there is nothing to worry about and you be shouldn't concerned as long as you act correctly.

A warning, while your dog is in heat it releases a hormone to entice the male dogs. Therefore, it is not advised to let your dog out alone otherwise the male dogs will go crazy for her. To resolve this, whenever you take your dog out, walk her on a leash. To disguise the scent of the hormone released, try rubbing some menthol onto the tip of her tail, this should mask the smell.

Dogs in heat are much more emotional, they can swing from being more excitable to being more cautious and anxious. To calm your dog try to avoid letting young kids play with the dog as they probably won't be sufficiently sensitive with the dog and may irritate it. Positive actions to relax the dog involve, playing soothing music and brushing the dog's coat.



Do dogs go through menopause if they havn't been spayed?


No. Dogs will not lose their ability to become pregnant at any age. The dog's fertility slowly declines which is not comparable to humans, whose eggs are no longer being produced. Therefore if you have an older dog she must be spayed if you don't want her to have any more litters.