Pseudo Or Phantom Pregnancy..help??

[erdog3]

Here's something that you might be able to help with, I don't have a lot of time, everyday, so I find it difficult to go searching through links.

Can any of you please do some research on Phantom(Pseudo) pregnancies and Pyometra. Not just the typical symptoms, but the more unusual ones, especially in concern to panting, and erratic behaviour.IE: whining, crying etc.

Please post anything you can find out here for me, but not links cause I don't have the time to search and read through it all.

Thanks in advance.
Ellierat.

[Dax]

False-Pregnancy (Pseudopregnancy)

Occasionally following the estrus cycle, a ***** that was either bred or not bred during estrus develops overt signs associated with pregnancy and lactation. If the ***** was bred, these signs may misguide the breeder to confirm a successful mating. Complicating the situation further, around day 60 of the "suspected" pregnancy, the ***** will often experience a decrease in body temperature and will display the familiar nesting, restless, panting behavior typical of a ***** about to whelp. However, no puppies will be delivered because the ***** is experiencing a condition known as pseudo-pregnancy.

During estrus, the surge in LH that results in ovulation also stimulates the ruptured follicles, from which the ova are released, to secrete progesterone. At this point the follicular cells become the corpus luteum. If the ***** becomes pregnant, the corpus luteum is preserved and continues to produce progesterone, which is required to maintain the pregnancy. If the ***** is not bred or mating is unsuccessful, a hormone produced by the uterus called prostaglandin F2a will cause the corpus luteum to regress, progesterone levels will decrease, and diestrus will follow estrus.

In ******* that experience pseudopregnancy, the corpus luteum does not regress despite the fact that conception has not taken place. As a result, increased progesterone levels are maintained bringing about the signs consistent with pregnancy. Around day 60, progesterone levels will abruptly drop as is observed at the end of gestation in pregnant *******. This drop in progesterone results in elevation of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for the typical nesting-behavior in pregnant *******. As such, the pseudopregnant ***** will display the same behavior as a ***** that is actually pregnant.

Many ******* are only mildly affected and do not require treatment for pseudopregnancy. In those ******* that may demonstrate more severe physiological and behavioral symptoms, treatment by ovariohysterectomy (after lactation ceases), testosterone and/or estrogen (though hormonal treatment should not be used in breeding ******* because they may increase the likelihood and intensity of future episodes of pseudopregnancy within the same *****), or metergoline, a serotonin antagonist, that blocks effects of prolactin may be utilized.

Complications associated with pseudopregnancy are few but may include mastitis, an infection of the mammary glands, particularly in those ******* who may lactate and through self-nursing induce an ample milk supply.

[Dax]

Here's a real nasty problem . . . pyometra. The term means pus in the uterus. Any time a veterinarian is presented with a dog or cat suffering from pyometra the condition is considered serious and immediate surgery is nearly always indicated. This pus formation in the uterus results from infection, hormone imbalance or mucous buildup inside the uterus. Most dogs and cats suffering from pyometra are presented because of loss of energy, increased thirst and poor appetite. Plus a good tip-off would be a foul smelling, purulent (means pus) vaginal discharge. Most of the cases of pyometra I've seen in dogs occurred about six weeks after the *****'s last heat cycle. They may not look it on the outside, but on the inside these dogs are really sick! If that swollen, enlarged uterus happens to rupture internally, the dog will rapidly go into endotoxic shock and whatever the veterinarian does may not be enough to save the dog.

Normally, even in a large dog, the uterine horns aren't much thicker than a pencil. See the photo on the right for normal anatomy... click it to enlarge. When pyometra is present the uterus looks and feels more like a stuffed venison sausage. I've removed eight-pound uteruses that should have weighed no more than eight ounces!

For whatever reason, if your female dog or cat hasn't been spayed be alert for pyometra. The condition is more probable in females eight years or older and who experience infrequent or irregular heat cycles or episodes of false pregnancy. Poor appetite, increased thirst, poor stamina and vaginal discharge are cardinal signs. And some patients' white blood cell count can go from a normal of 9,000 all the way up to 75,000. X-rays often reveal two large sausage-like structures in the abdomen. It's time for surgery! These patients should almost always be operated on right now, not after work, not in the morning, not after a few days of antibiotics "to build her up."

The surgery is not a minor procedure. A patient with a uterus swollen with a foul and putrid soup, is simply carrying a bucket of poison that would eventually kill the cat or dog. Many of these patients require I.V. fluid therapy, antibiotics and nutritional support post-operatively. These pyometra patients, once recovered, act like puppies once their near death experience is over!

[erdog3]

Pyometra..nasty, nasty, isn't it. I can see why the vet thought she may have that, she was showing the symptoms, all except for lethargy.
The vets just rang me again, p.m., and it is looking more and more like psuedo.
She is eating her food, and starting to play with her bowl. It looks like I will be able to bring her home in the morning. yippee.
Everyone is walking round this house saying I sure miss Ellie, it's strange without Ellie.
Everytime I hear a noise behind me I look thinking it's Ellie.
Can't wait for the morning.

[Dax]

I was at maybe 12 sites yesterday and none of the symptoms included pain or nipping at thier rear end. So if there is infection & it's not in the uterus - was it in the **** gland? Were there any bumps, bruises, etc that could have become abyssed?

I still think there might be more than one thing going on.

[erdog3]

Oh by the way thanks for looking up the info, I knew I could count on you Dax, your the greatest.
When Ell's was first examined she did an internal, both holes. She squeezed one **** gland, it was swollen, so I'm not sure if Ell's has stopped nipping at her rear end or not as she hasn't been home since.
Vet also said that the first night she gave Ells antibiotic injection, gave her some cat food, but Ellie just pushed it with her nose hiding it for later. but during the night she had polished it off. She felt the injection was helping, so yes there does seem to be something. I would say she will come home with a course of tabs to take.
but it is definately not pyometra.

[ChandraRae]

Originally Posted by ellierat

but it is definately not pyometra.

OUTSTANDING!!!!! We are so relieved!