Phantom pregnancy, or canine pseudopregnancy, produces physical and behavioral signs of pregnancy when the dog is not actually pregnant. The condition results from hormone changes that occur after the dog's heat cycle, but it usually resolves itself within two to four weeks. Veterinarian treatment is sometimes necessary, though, because complications such as mastitis can arise and some dogs will exhibit intolerable behaviors, such as aggression. Monitor her behaviors and intervene as necessary to manage symptoms, but consult a veterinarian for treatment if you have any concerns, if symptoms persist for more than four weeks or if complications arise.
Things You'll Need
- Elizabethan collar or T-shirt
Instructions
Discourage the dog from self-nursing or licking her abdomen because this behavior stimulates the mammary glands and prolongs lactation. Place an Elizabethan collar around her neck or dress her in a T-shirt to block her mouth's access to the abdomen, as recommended by Jennifer Larsen, MS, of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Remove any toys and inanimate objects from her that she "mothers"" and stop her from creating nests. If she gathers your socks and guards them as if they were her puppies or if she gathers or shreds clothing and blankets for a nesting area, say "No" and take the items from her.
Contact your veterinarian if symptoms persist or if she exhibits mammary gland inflammation, foul-smelling and cloudy vaginal discharge, lethargy, depression, intolerable behaviors or any signs of physical illness.
Follow false pregnancy treatment recommendations from your veterinarian, which may include sedation or use of light tranquilizers, prolactin-suppressing drugs, steroids, diuretics or hormone therapy.
Reduce her food intake and overnight water intake if advised to do so by your veterinarian. This decreases milk production, but Mar Vista Animal Medical Center warns that water deprivation is potentially dangerous.
Schedule a spaying appointment with the veterinarian after symptoms subside. Spaying prevents recurring false pregnancy, but spaying her during the false pregnancy will not resolve the symptoms.