3 Vet-Approved Natural Treatments for Dog False Pregnancy
Is your dog experiencing a phantom pregnancy, and you're unsure how to help? You're not alone. This article offers comprehensive information on false pregnancies in dogs, helping you understand and manage the condition effectively, as well as prevent future episodes.
A Vet Explains False Pregnancy in Dogs
False pregnancy, also known as pseudopregnancy, is a condition that occurs in an unspayed female dogs. This phenomenon typically happens towards the end of the diestrus period of their normal heat cycle, which is when the female is no longer receptive to a male.
Additionally, pseudopregnancy can result from a rapid drop in progesterone levels, such as after an ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus).
Does This Problem Involve Hormonal Changes?
Towards the end of the heat cycle, an intact female dog may experience a sudden drop in progesterone levels, which leads to a sudden increase in the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is responsible for stimulating maternal behavior, encouraging milk production, and causing mammary enlargement (breast enlargement) in both dogs and humans.
The risks of false pregnancy in an unspayed female dog
A dog experiencing phantom pregnancy is at risk of developing mastitis and also has an increased chance of developing mammary cancer.
Physical and Behavioral Signs of False Pregnancy in Dogs
Not sure if your dog is experiencing a false pregnancy? Here are the key symptoms to look out for:
- Behavioral changes: The female dogs may show nesting behavior at home. She may also begin to show mothering behaviors such as nursing inanimate objects.
- Mammary gland enlargement
- Lactation (milk production)
Other less common phantom pregnancy symptoms may include:
- Abdominal contractions
- Sudden weight gain
- Drinking and urinating more than normal
True Pregnancy VS False Pregnancy in Dogs
Wondering how to tell the difference between a false pregnancy and a real pregnancy in dogs? A veterinarian can administer tests, such as ultrasound or hormonal tests, to accurately diagnose the condition.
The Relaxin Rapid Test is used by veterinarians to determine if a female dog is truly pregnant or experiencing a false pregnancy. This test detects the presence of relaxin, a hormone produced by the placenta of a pregnant dog. A positive result confirms a true pregnancy, while a negative result indicates a false pregnancy.
Sometimes, this test may show a false negative if performed within 20 to 27 days after breeding. This is because the placenta may still be too immature to produce enough relaxin. In such cases, the veterinarian can perform a quick abdominal ultrasound to check for puppies in the womb.
Can False Pregnancy in Dogs Involve Milk Production?
Yes, dogs with a false pregnancy can produce milk due to high levels of prolactin, the milk-producing hormone. If your dog is experiencing a pseudopregnancy, your veterinarian may recommend placing a cone on it to prevent stimulation of the mammary glands, which could lead to mastitis or inflammation.
Can a Pseudo-Pregnancy Result Into Labor?
Dogs diagnosed with a false pregnancy may experience abdominal cramping, known as false contractions. Although these contractions can resemble labor pains, they are not indicative of actual labor.
How long do false pregnancies typically last?
Fortunately, physical signs of a false pregnancy in most female dogs often resolve spontaneously within 2 to 3 weeks.
4 Natural Treatments for Dogs with False Pregnancy
Vitamin B6
Administering vitamin B6 at a dose of 50 mg per kg once a day is considered safe and effective for treating pseudopregnancy in dogs. Vitamin B6 is believed to interfere with prolactin concentrations in the body.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is a homeopathic remedy often used to help with hormonal imbalances in female dogs. Some homeopaths believe it can also assist in drying up milk in non-pregnant female dogs. Zumalka offers a variety of products containing Pulsatilla.
Zumalka's CALMPET
Dogs experiencing pseudopregnancy often exhibit anxious, aggressive, or obsessively maternal behavior. To promote calmness and mental well-being, incorporating a homeopathic remedy may be beneficial. One such product is CALMPET.
CALMPET supports a healthy stress response in both cats and dogs. This homeopathic remedy promotes nervous system balance and helps relieve anxiety. It offers a gentle, holistic approach without chemicals, using high-quality ingredients.
Zumalka's VITALOPET
Enhance your pet's well-being with VITALOPET, a homeopathic supplement designed to restore physical and mental balance.
Infused with ashwagandha, VITALOPET reduces stress and anxiety by regulating cortisol levels and aids in hormonal balance, promoting a calm and steady nervous system.
3 Natural Ways you can Balance Hormone Levels in your Dog
Avoid milking or letting your dog lick her mammary glands to prevent further lactation. Instead, use a snug T-shirt or wrap around the mammary glands.
Remove toys and objects that encourage mothering behavior in dogs experiencing false pregnancy, as this can increase prolactin levels.
Temporarily restrict food to help decrease milk secretion in dogs.
Conclusion
It's important to understand that pseudopregnancy doesn't necessarily point to any reproductive abnormalities. However, recurrence is quite common in intact female dogs. If you want to effectively prevent false pregnancies in your dog, the most reliable option is to have your dog spayed.
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Hi Lisehanne, Thank you for reaching out with your question! We will send you a personal email to help answer it and also to provide a specialized recommendation for your dog.
Can hormone imbalance / False Pregnancies in young dogs affect bone matter / hip pain
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