Real Pregnancy? False Pregnancy?

[cassiesmom]

We think that our pom may be pregnant but we have heard that their are false pregnancies. Is this true? We were just wondering...Thanks

[rutylr]

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 *******, though, the psychological effects directing mothering 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 veterinarian 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 ******* 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.

[cassiesmom]

She is 24 days pregnant and she has big nipples. milk ducts are forming. she has had a change in behavior she seems more lazy. so do you guys think she is pregnant by her symptoms?

[rutylr]

If you want to make sure take her to the Vet.All else is just guessing
Donna

[cassiesmom]

so there is really no way to tell the difference? could the vet still tell she is only 24 days

[rutylr]

There are so many things that can happen between now and the due date.She could be pregnant now and absorb the pups later.She could be have a false pregnancey.There is no way to tell thru the computer.If you ask a Vet they will let you know what they think by looking at her and feeling her.They can also tell you when to come back for x-rays.
People who have had litters before can never really be sure.I've had dogs as big as houses have either no pups or just one pup.

[whimzikal]

The vet can palpitate at 28-30 days. I personally do not put faith in this method. I'd suggest and ultrasound after 25 days OR if you are more patient than me, Xray in the last week. My girl had a flase and then depending on what vet you talk to resorption or another false. The secind time they did an ultrasound and confirmed pregnancy however when no pups came my regular vet called the clinic that performed the ultrasound and they said they couldn't determine by the ultrasound they had performed! (bad vets) Anyway, false preg can really be convincing. Her 1st false was a confirmed preg by palpitation. Infact when I took her back at day 58 for her Xray the vet 'felt' her first and said she was 'full' , due any day and even guessed at the pup count. The Xrays were done and there were no pups. Personally I think ultrsounds are VERY reliable if the vet is honest ect and not off to make a buck off of vet tabs and follow ups!

[cassiesmom]

Wont I be able to feel the pups when she is more far along. X-rays are so expensive!

[ravybaby]

Hi hope im not reading this wrong but in your post you don’t seem sure she is pregnant you just suspect she is due to changes in her body/ personally ect, so im just wondering did you plan to breed your dog, or has a accident happed? The best way forward is to go to your vet’s. As soon as you can!

[rutylr]

Originally Posted by cassiesmom

X-rays are so expensive!

Having a litter can be expensive!!!What happens if a puppy gets stuck and she needs to have emergency surgery?can you afford that?There are so many things that can go wrong.If you do not have the money to insure that the mother gets the best care possible while she in pregnant,have her spayed now.
Donna