False pregnancy is not a disease, but is the female's hormonal readiness to give birth and care for puppies. Immediately after the bitch's heat (estrus) ends, metoestrus begins, a period corresponding to the length of the gestation period. This period occurs whether the female is mated or not. Even if you do not mate your bitch, she can therefore have symptoms of pregnancy, false pregnancy.
Why does the bitch get falsely pregnant?
Why does the bitch actually become falsely pregnant? For today's dog, feigned pregnancy does not fulfill any function, but usually causes trouble instead. In the wolf pack, however, the mock pregnancy has an important function. Among the wolves, only the leader of the pack is allowed to give birth to puppies. It is assumed that it works this way because the herd becomes the strongest if only the genes from the healthiest and strongest animals are passed on.
If something should happen to the leader of the herd so that she cannot take care of her puppies herself, one of the other, falsely pregnant, bitches should be able to step in and give you the puppies instead of the mother. In this way, it is ensured that the predisposition of the leadership is passed on to the next generation.
How is the female affected by the false pregnancy?
The visible signs of false pregnancy usually appear one to two months after calving. Physically, the bitch can gain weight and she then likes to get swollen around the abdomen. She may get udder swelling and form milk or a thin secretion in the udder. Eating disorders also occur. Often the bitch does not want to eat at all for a period and then it is of course important that you make sure that she gets water in any case. Some bitches instead get an increased appetite.
The bitch's behavior can also be affected. She may have a pronounced maternal behavior; she makes beds and builds a nest. She can also be generally restless and anxious. It also happens that the bitch adopts all kinds of things, for example stuffed animals and shoes, as her cubs. The bitch can also become nervous or lethargic and sometimes an increase in aggressiveness is also seen.
Most bitches that become pseudopregnant mainly get the physical signs and maybe become a little generally depressed during the period.
How long is the bitch falsely pregnant?
The false pregnancy usually lasts for several weeks. It can be a problem for both the dog and the dog owner. In addition to the dog being depressed, which causes headaches for the owner as well, the bitch can also have physical problems. Sometimes the bitch herself stimulates milk production by washing and sometimes pinching her udder herself. Milk production can cause changes in the mammary glands. With a bit of bad luck, it can also lead to the bitch getting mastitis. Sometimes the bitch also vomits during this period.
Each bitch can react in different ways during the mock pregnancy. Some show all possible symptoms while others only show one or a couple. It is more common for a bitch to show psychological than physical symptoms.
How can I help a falsely pregnant bitch?
To prevent the symptoms from appearing, you can increase the dog's exercise while cutting back on the food. Considering that many bitches are very reluctant to exercise during the mock pregnancy and that some get an increased appetite, it can be quite a challenging task. It can both be difficult in practical terms and also feel crappy to the bitch.
Increasing the bitch's mental stimulation and activity is good during mock pregnancy.
Medicine against false pregnancy
There is also a prescription medicine, Galastop, that you can get from your vet that counteracts false pregnancy. This is recommended if your bitch is significantly affected by the false pregnancy.
The active substance in Galastop is cabergoline, which long-term inhibits milk production and also affects symptoms associated with milk production. Side effects of the medication can be temporary lethargy and the dog not wanting to eat. When taking medication with Galastop, the next run will also be slightly earlier. For those bitches who suffer from serious problems, these side effects are outweighed by the fact that the bitch has the opportunity to get back on track after the false pregnancy and become her usual pleasant self again. If there is the slightest doubt as to whether the bitch has actually been mated during heat, pregnancy should be ruled out (for example by ultrasound or x-ray) before the medication is started, as it can cause abortion in pregnant animals.
When your bitch is falsely pregnant, think about trying to keep her busy and give her extra attention. It may very well be that the bitch is going through a difficult period and then she needs to "dispel her thoughts" and feel a little extra cherished and appreciated.
