Can a Spayed Female Dog Give Off a False Heat Signal?

People have their dogs spayed for a variety of reasons. Preventing unplanned pregnancies and litters is a major reason. Your dog will live a longer, healthier life, and her risk of uterine infections and breast cancer will be greatly reduced, if she is spayed before her first heat. A female dog who never goes into heat will not experience the accompanying restlessness, swollen vulva, increased urination and bleeding. You will avoid cleaning bloodstains off your rugs and furniture. Male dogs will not travel miles to hang out at your house whining, barking and fighting with other males, while waiting for a chance to mate with your female. You and your dog will be free of this unpleasantness, annoyance and discomfort, unless your dog develops ovarian remnant syndrome or another condition that causes her to experience a ̶0;false heat.̶1;

  1. False Heat

    • Weeks, months, even years after your dog has been spayed, she might begin to exhibit signs of being in heat. You may notice your dog attempting to go out and roam, and male dogs in the neighborhood may be attracted to her. This does not mean your dog̵7;s spay surgery was unsuccessful or that she can become pregnant. It does mean that you should make an appointment with your veterinarian to examine your dog and determine the cause for what some people call a ̶0;false heat.̶1;

    Ovarian Remnant Syndrome: Definition and Causes

    • The primary cause of false heat symptoms is a condition in female dogs known as "ovarian remnant syndrome," in which a spayed female continues to exhibit signs of estrus or being in heat. Usually this occurs because a portion of an ovary was left in the abdomen during the spay surgery. The presence of ovarian remnant syndrome does not necessarily mean that the vet has performed the surgery incorrectly.

    Ovarian Remnant Syndrome: Symptoms

    • A dog whose ovarian tissue was not completely removed during spay surgery may show signs of being in heat, including swelling of the vulva, bleeding and sometimes false pregnancy signs. These usually occur at the same interval as estrus periods, roughly every seven months. Remaining ovarian follicles that produce estrogen cyclically will attract male dogs to your dog and your home.

    Ovarian Remnant Syndrome: Diagnosis

    • A veterinarian may be able to verify the presence of ovarian tissue by testing a dog̵7;s progesterone levels. However, a more accurate test is a hormonal response test, during which HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is administered while your dog is acting as if she is in heat. The progesterone levels are measured after the HCG test.

    Ovarian Remnant Syndrome: Treatment

    • Exploratory surgery is the definitive way to look for an ovarian remnant, which can be quite small and difficult to find. The ideal time to for this surgery is when a dog is actively demonstrating estrus behavior, because the ovarian follicles will be larger and easier for your veterinarian to find and remove. Until all the ovarian remnants have been extricated, signs of being in heat, including the attraction of male dogs wanting to mate, will continue.

    High Doses of Estrogen

    • Some veterinarians prescribe low doses of estrogen for dogs who are experiencing urinary incontinence. Estrogen may also be given after spaying to replace hormones a dog lost due to being spayed. If the estrogen dose is too high for your dog, one side effect is that she may begin a false heat, according to an online article by David Tayman, DVM. Your veterinarian will lower the dose, and the symptoms, including production of the pheromones that attract male dogs, will subside.