False Pregnancy in Dogs

False pregnancy in dogs is also known as phantom pregnancy, pseudopregnancy or pseudocyesis. The dog acts pregnant, but is not actually pregnant. This condition happens far more frequently in dogs than in cats, according to veterinarian Dr. Debra Primovic. Canine false pregnancy may cause health complications like bacterial infections, so any female dog not in a breeding program should be immediately spayed.

  1. Speculation

    • It is unknown exactly why female dogs often get false pregnancies. Although feral or stray dogs tend to be loners, dogs (Canis familiaris) are descended from wolves (Canis lupus). Wolves are pack animals where only the dominant female is allowed to raise pups. False pregnancy may have developed as a survival strategy so that all of the females in a pack would be capable of nursing the pups, should something happen to the dominant female wolf.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms of canine false pregnancy vary from dog to dog, but in general, the dog's breasts swell up with milk, she vomits more often than usual, has a larger appetite than usual and may gain weight. Sometimes dogs also develop diarrhea, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." The dog will also gather up small, puppy-sized objects like dog toys and guard them as if they were puppies. She may select a special area of the home as a nest for these "puppies."

    Time Frame

    • Unspayed female dogs with false pregnancy begin to show symptoms six to 12 weeks after their heat cycle has ended, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center and Dr. Debra Primovic. The symptoms will eventually go away by themselves in two months, but can last much longer if the female dog licks her breasts in order to ease the pain and pressure of any milk they are carrying.

    Treatment

    • Dogs with mild symptoms may spontaneously recover in as little as three weeks, according to Mar Vista Animal Center. Dogs can be given medications to help ease their symptoms, including Ovoban (megestrol acetate). Medications called prolactin inhibitors help to dry up the milk. The dog may need to wear an Elizabethan collar or cone in order to not lick her own breasts and prolong symptoms. The most effective treatment for false pregnancy is to have the dog spayed.

    Risks

    • "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" notes that if a dog gets false pregnancy once, she is far more likely to get it again for the rest of her life. This can lead to medical complications, usually ulcers on the breasts. Breasts that are constantly filled and caked with dripping milk can easily break the skin and risk secondary infection. The dog also may attack anyone that tries to remove her puppy substitutes.