How to help a dog with false puberty. Should I be treated? Diet and exercise

Date: 13.04.2019

False pregnancy is not a disease. This condition can be characterized as "physiological pseudopregnancy", since periodically, every non-pregnant bitch, to one degree or another, is observed characteristic symptoms... There is a theory that false pregnancy in dogs is a primitive way of allowing bitches to feed other puppies in a given dog pack if they only have estrus once a year (Allen).

False pregnancy (pregnancy)- a syndrome arising from the specific features of dogs - the formation of a corpus luteum during estrus, and not in the stage of diestrus. This term is used to describe a condition in which bitches show signs of pregnancy, gestation and lactation, but, however, do not have puppies or because they have not been mated or fertilized. embryos for some reason died and resorbed (resorption can take place for up to 4 weeks). The reason for the death of embryos can be a violation of feeding, changes in housing conditions, illness of the bitch or incompatibility between the bitch and the male. Such incompatibility can in many cases be the cause of the birth of underdeveloped or ugly puppies. It happens that after the injection of hormones introduced to suppress estrus, repeated estrus occurs after 2-3 months. Sometimes this happens after unsuccessful mating, that is, if fertilization did not work out or, as the dog breeders say, the bitch “remained empty.” The syndrome of false puberty consists in physiological and mental changes in the condition of the dog.

Cause

The cause of this condition is still unclear, however, it is probably a consequence of hormonal changes at the end of the estrus period due to the overproduction of luteotropic factors (lactogenic hormone).

Signs

These signs generally appear about one to two months after the bitch last came into the hunt, especially in older bitches, whether or not they have had puppies before. and vary in type and strength on a case-by-case basis. However, it is characteristic that most bitches will produce milk and exhibit obvious maternal behavior. Many bitches will wear shoes and other toys around the house and collect them in their beds. In more severe cases, some bitches will indeed tense as if they are actually wheezing. If, at least once, the bitch has had a false pregnancy, then it is likely that she will do the same again after each estrus.
The disease manifests itself in the 5-8th week after the end of estrus in the form of swelling of the mammary glands, further lactation with the corresponding behavior of the female: she makes a nest for herself, whines, collects toys, aggression can be noted.
What should I do?
It is possible to relieve the condition without injections, especially in untied bitches. On the 10-12th day, count forward and mark 9 weeks on the calendar. For 1-2 days, before the due date, three times reduce the feeding ration. Give as little liquid as possible. When the marked days come, do not feed the bitch for 1-2 days at all. Don't worry about her health - hunger won't hurt any of our favorites. Then another 3-5 days, while the swelling and sagging of the nipples is noticeable, you need to keep a heavily cut ration. Try not to cook or eat with it.
With a decrease in the content of carbohydrates in the diet, a decrease in water consumption (of course, it is impossible to deprive it of access to water for a long period) and an increase in motor load (for example, to lengthen walks 2-3 times, or make them more intense.), Less milk will be produced.
In no case should you express milk or drag the udder, and bitches who suck the milk themselves should wear a blanket. But, you can use such a bitch as a nurse for other people's puppies.
Controversial is the question of the appropriateness of local treatments of the nipples, before carrying out them, it is better to consult a doctor. Don't worry too much, as this is indeed a normal case. Approximately 60% of bitches are susceptible to false pregnancies to one degree or another. In most cases, it is best not to give any treatment. Symptoms of neurosis will disappear more quickly if the bitch is deprived of her attachments, and if the toys and items of her care are removed.
If the signs are strong, and the actions described above do not lead to improvement, In cases of a combination of falsehood with apathy, a visit to the doctor is required.

Some myths about false pregnancy:

Bitches with false pregnancies are more prone to pyometra. Most likely, this opinion was formed because the false pregnancy and pyometra occur at the same stage of the cycle. In addition, those animals that were treated for false pregnancy with hormonal drugs are more susceptible to pyometra. Allowing the bitch to have a litter will save her from a false pregnancy in the future. This does happen, but only in 10-15% of cases. Bitches with irregular estrous cycles are more prone to false pregnancies. The phases of the estrous cycle do not depend on the regularity of the cycle, and occur in all dogs in a certain sequence.

To cure or not to cure?

In some cases, false pregnancy weakens spontaneously (if there is no incentive to continue lactation), however, when the symptoms are severe and cause trouble for both the dog and its owner, treatment of this condition is warranted. Currently, hormonal therapy with drugs containing progestogen, estrogens, androgens or their combinations and prolactin antagonists is most widespread. But, using this method of correcting false pregnancy, it is necessary to remember about the specific consequences of the use of such drugs. So, progestogens can cause the development of vesicular hyperplasia of the endometrium, weight gain, hair discoloration and baldness at the injection site, there may be a return of lactation after drug withdrawal. In addition, they should not be used in the first estrus or in pre-puberty bitches. High doses of estrogens suppress bone marrow function, which causes anemia and thrombocytopenia. They can cause hair loss and hyperpigmentation, and if taken during pregnancy can lead to fetal malformations and miscarriages in the bitch. Androgens do not have a harmful effect on the uterus, but their intake can cause aggression, severe vaginitis, fetal abnormalities. In some cases, prolactin antagonists are also difficult for a dog to tolerate (vomiting, anorexia, general depression).

Treatment

There are several approaches to treating falsehood, from drugs that reduce lactation to hormonal medications suppressing estrus and its possible consequences... It should be borne in mind that taking hormonal drugs does not work harmlessly for the body and can cause long-term consequences in the form of various kinds of degeneration of the uterine mucosa.
Parenteral administration of indirect and direct inhibitors of prolactin is effective:

1.naloxone - used at a dosage of 0.01 mg / kg of body weight of the animal 1-2 times a day until visible results;
2. bromocriptine - a prolactin inhibitor is used at a dose of 0.01 mg / kg of body weight of the animal once a day until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely. A side effect of using drugs of both groups can be nausea and vomiting, therefore, 30-40 minutes before the administration of the medicinal drug, the dog is given antiemetics by mouth.

Excellent treatment results this disease can be achieved using homeopathic and homotoxicological preparations.

Considering Negative influence hormonal agents on the body of animals, the advantages of using homeopathic remedies... Homeopathic medicines, due to their safety, bioavailability and effectiveness, are a real alternative hormone therapy... In the treatment and prevention of manifestations of false pregnancy, the complex homeopathic preparation Ovariovit is successfully used. Exerting a regulating effect on the functions of the pituitary gland, Ovariovit restores the hormonal status of the body and eliminates mental disorders... For the prevention of false pregnancy, Ovariovit begins to be used 2-3 weeks before the possible appearance of its signs (i.e., 1-1.5 months after the end of estrus) in the form of injections 1 time in 3-4 days or in tablets daily for 2 -x weeks. If signs of false pregnancy are already evident, Ovariovit is used as a subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1.0 ml per 10 kg of body weight (min. 0.5 ml, max. 5.0 ml) once a day for 5-10 days, then (if necessary) 1-2 injections per week. You can use Ovariovit tablets for 10-14 days. Other indications for the use of Ovariovit: damage to the body due to allopathic therapy (the effects of progesterone), ovarian failure, reproductive cycle disorders, infertility of females. Application of Ovariovit before mating promotes superovulation, which increases the percentage of fertilization and leads to an increase in litter.
Using homeopathic therapy, a safe way to correct hormonal disorders, expands the ability to help animals without harming their body.

Many of us love animals, especially dogs. But before you get a puppy, you should remember about the high responsibility for the life of a new family member. Like people, animals are prone to get sick, and it is highly likely that sooner or later it will be necessary to seriously tinker with your pet and spend not so much materially as morally.

But now the focus of our attention is not entirely on the disease, however, it is precisely this that requires a lot of nerves and patience from the breeder. False pregnancy in dogs - what is it and how to cope?

The concept of false pregnancy

This is not to say that false pregnancy is a disease. False puppies are understood as a syndrome denoting the condition of an animal during which it has signs of pregnancy, but as such, the bitch does not bear puppies due to the lack of fertilization. There is also another form of this syndrome, when the mating was nevertheless carried out, but the embryos died for some reason. But there can be many reasons for resorption of embryos. These are any diseases, and poor feeding, and an unsuccessful choice of a male for mating.

Simply put, the symptom of falsehood can manifest itself both in physiological changes and in the psychological behavior of the bitch.

Causes of the syndrome

To understand why falsehood occurs in dogs, you need to know about the stages of the estrous cycle. Just during some of them, hormonal changes occur, which can lead to the appearance of this syndrome:

Proestrus is the pre-estrus stage during which eggs are formed for fertilization. During this period, the animal appears bloody issues... On a walk, the animal can leave peculiar marks by which the dog finds the bitch. However, the dog will not allow to make a cage yet.
Estrus is the period of estrus itself, when it is best to mate, the so-called ovulation.
Metaeustrus - the stage after the "hunt", during which the corpus luteum should emerge (if there was no fertilization).
Anestrus is the last stage when the bitch is at rest and her sexual behavior is weak.

The reason for the appearance of a false pregnancy is the same corpus luteum. It is responsible for the production of progesterone, which is the hormone of pregnancy. In dogs, unlike other animals, the corpus luteum does not leave the body, but continues to function in it for about 2 months.

Because of this, signals are sent to the bitch's brain indicating that the body needs to prepare for pregnancy.

Signs

How long does false breeding last in dogs? Most often, this period is identical to the duration of a real pregnancy - about 60-70 days.

Too many new dog breeders do not immediately understand what false puberty is in dogs. The symptoms of this syndrome are quite varied, and in order to understand what is happening to your animal, it is enough to pay attention to the behavior and condition of the bitch. Let's conditionally divide the symptoms into physiological and behavioral.

Physiological signs

Physiological symptoms include:

Abdominal enlargement, often sagging.
Swelling of the mammary glands, their hardening. V prenatal period milk itself may be excreted.
During the alleged birth, there may be "contractions" and attempts. This is especially evident when the bitch has already whelped earlier.
Temperature increase.
Loss of appetite or moodiness when choosing food.
Toxicosis.
The onset of lactation after pseudo-breeding.

Behavioral symptoms

The dog begins to build a nest for itself: to carry toys and things to one secluded place.
The bitch gets restless, irritated.
Appetite increases dramatically.
A dog can nurse the same toy by acting as if it were his puppy. You should pay attention to this, because in a true pregnancy, the bitch will never deal with the toy, because she does not need to.
The dog becomes aggressive when trying to take toys from its nest, as it may mistake them for its puppies.

Now you know what false puppyhood is in dogs.

What to do?

The only sure question in such a situation is what to do? First of all, don't be intimidated by this. There are a number of actions that must be taken in the event of a syndrome.

Of course, you need to see a specialist. He will establish the actual presence of a false pregnancy and explain the principles of treatment.

If you notice that there is a falsehood in a dog, it is not necessary to start treatment right away. To begin with, you can prevent the occurrence of false pregnancy syndrome.

Prevention of the syndrome

On the 10-12th day of the disease, it is necessary to mark 9 weeks ahead in the calendar. In a period of 1-2 days before the marked date, it is necessary to reduce the dog's nutrition by 3 times and reduce the fluid intake to the maximum. On the marked day, you must not feed the animal at all.

Such a "diet" will not harm the animal - it is necessary to suppress lactation in the bitch.

For the next 3-5 days, the animal must be fed with a reduced diet. You should also increase the duration of walks and physical activity.

Please note that if your dog has milk, you do not need to express it. If the animal begins to suck milk itself, then in this situation it is necessary to put on a blanket on it. However, it is okay to express milk in small quantities if the breasts swell excessively and there is a risk of inflammation. But with such problems, it is advisable to immediately contact your veterinarian.

After prevention, the symptoms of false pregnancy should subside.

Should I be treated?

To cure or not to cure? The thing is that the symptoms can go away on their own and without consequences. But only if they were initially weak enough.

In a different situation, there may be several ways to solve the problem, ranging from drugs that help prevent lactation, to suppressing estrus drugs. You must remember that the use of any hormonal drugs can have an adverse effect on the body of the bitch, therefore it is necessary that the doctor prescribes the treatment.

Therapies

False puppyhood in dogs - how to treat?

The best treatment is parenteral administration of prolactin inhibitors. The cure for false puberty in dogs can be different. Most best drugs- "Nauloxon". Dosage: 0.01 mg / kg body weight of the dog 1-2 times a day until the animal is fully recovered. Also use "Bromcriptine" - in the same dosage 1 time per day until complete recovery. Since the main side effect of these drugs is vomiting and nausea, then for half an hour then the administration of drugs must be given to the dog antiemetic pills.
A qualitative result is noted when using homotoxicological and homeopathic preparations. These funds are an excellent substitute for hormone therapy. They are also very easy to find, so there should be no problems with treatment. One of these drugs is considered "Ovarovit". The remedy begins to be used 1-1.5 months after estrus ends. Injections are administered once every 3-4 days for 14 days. The use of tablets is also possible.
Another method of treatment is considered to be homeopathic therapy.

Also, in conjunction with treatment, sedatives are often prescribed, such as Novopassit, Stop Stress and others. These drugs are relatively easy on the dog. If the disease is more severe, the veterinarian may prescribe more serious drugs.

Do not forget that falsehood in dogs, treatment, drugs and symptoms must be monitored, prescribed and determined by a veterinarian.

What is the danger of the syndrome?

The danger of the disease, first of all, is experienced by the dog itself. False hypoxia can provoke a disease such as mastitis, since milk may accumulate during the "spoon" period.

It is also possible that a disease such as pyometra (inflammation of the uterus with pus) occurs due to the accumulation of uterine mucus. This disease is extremely serious, since there is a high mortality rate if it occurs. Treatment is carried out only by removing the reproductive organs.

Also, this disease often occurs when the bitch is treated with hormonal drugs.

Breeder mistakes

There are several mistakes and misconceptions that breeders can make when false breeding occurs in dogs. Here is some of them:

It is believed that a one-time mating will help prevent the occurrence of a false pregnancy forever. This is not true. Sometimes situations arise when knitting only aggravates the symptoms of the disease.
Since the dog during false breeding often behaves inadequately for a long time, some owners may decide to punish the dog. This is absolutely forbidden, since the syndrome itself occurs due to hormonal disruptions, and the dog simply cannot control it.
Bitches with false pregnancies are prone to pyometra. In fact, this disease can occur with a false pregnancy, but only because both the syndrome itself and the pyometra arise during the same stage.
During false pregnancy, the breeder takes the "puppy" toy from the dog. This is not worth doing, since the animal needs to show its maternal instincts on at least someone.

Now every breeder fully understands what false puppies are in dogs. It is worth noting that if the bitch does not carry any breeding value, and you do not plan to receive offspring from her, then it is advisable to spay the dog, since this will not only prevent the onset of false pregnancy syndrome, but also prevent diseases such as, for example, oncology ...

Most importantly, do not be afraid of the difficulties that may arise with your beloved animal. All of them can be solved - the main thing is to turn to a specialist in time, gain patience and strength, and go through all the problems together with a furry family member.

False pregnancy or false pregnancy in dogs- This is a completely normal physiological process, which cannot be called a pathology, but, as always, there is one "BUT" - the possible consequences of a false pregnancy. For example, mastitis, or metabolic disorders, as a result frequent use hormonal agents for the treatment of false puppies. Therefore, the main attention and actions should be directed precisely at the prevention of possible consequences.

In order to understand all the processes that take place in the dog's body, we propose to briefly consider the estrous cycle of the bitch.

Bitches of most breeds are in heat every 6-8 months. In young dogs, the cycle may be irregular. In some breeds, estrus occurs only once a year, for example, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or Bassendzhi. It is also worth noting that dogs can be in heat until old age, no menopause, as in the case of humans, dogs do not. The cycle itself may become less regular by old age, estrus may be less abundant and fertilization may not always occur.

So, let's look at all the stages of the estrous cycle.

Stage one - proestrus

At this stage, spotting appears, the vulva becomes edematous (swelling). During the walk, the bitch can often urinate in small portions - this is a kind of marks by which the dog can find the bitch. However, at this stage, the bitch does not allow the male to creep and can do a great job of patting a particularly persistent boyfriend.

Proestrus can also be called the preparatory stage, when the animal's body prepares for further fertilization and bearing the fetus.

Stage two - estrus

This stage is characterized by a change in the color of vaginal discharge. At this stage, eggs mature in the ovaries and ovulation occurs - the dog is ready for mating and conception, which is reflected in its behavior. The bitch stops chasing the dog away and lets him cage.

Third stage - diestrus

At this stage, the formation of yellow bodies occurs, which are formed in place of the bursting follicles from which the eggs come out. The corpus luteum produces the so-called pregnancy hormone - progesterone.

If the bitch is pregnant, other hormones are also produced that ensure the functioning of the corpus luteum, so that the latter continues to produce progesterone throughout the bitch's pregnancy, i.e. 60-63 days.

If fertilization has not occurred, then the corpus luteum is gradually depleted without the support of other hormones and the animal's body gradually restores its normal state.

The process by which the corpus luteum gradually ceases to function lasts about 60-70 days, while hormones continue to be produced, regardless of whether pregnancy has occurred or not. In this regard, we can conclude that in fact, falsehood is always present and is the norm of the entire cycle, only its manifestations in different animals may differ. In some, these manifestations are completely invisible or insignificant, while in others, the process proceeds with obvious signs.

Clinical signs of false pregnancy

As we said above, clinical manifestations can be from almost imperceptible to pronounced. Pronounced signs include: the possible appearance of toxicosis, vomiting, partial or complete loss of appetite or capricious appetite, fever, a slight increase in the abdomen, swelling of the mammary glands and the appearance of milk or a transparent, thick mucous secretion.

The loop may be somewhat swollen and swollen, and sometimes there is also vaginal discharge.

The bitch becomes more restless, in rare cases there are even "births" in which real contractions are observed.

The dog is looking for a place where you can make a nest for puppies, the bitch can realize her maternal instinct on toys, other pets, for example, kittens or adult cats, and sometimes on humans.

Treatment of falsehood

In the case when falsehood occurs without pronounced signs, then any special treatment usually not required. After about 3 weeks, the signs will disappear on their own.

When the signs of falsehood are pronounced, then therapy is required. During this period, it is worth reducing the portion of food and water. With a natural type of diet, it is imperative to reduce the amount of protein food - to minimize the amount of meat and completely eliminate dairy products.

In the case of feeding with animal feed, it is worth switching to a light feed with a reduced protein content, as well as reducing the amount of water, which will lead to the cessation of lactation (milk production).

If a bitch has milk, then you should not express it - this will only increase its production, also, if the bitch sucks milk herself, you need to prevent this - put on a blanket or a special postoperative collar, you can use camphor oil, which is used to wipe the mammary glands, its pungent smell usually scares the animal away. But do not forget that there may be an allergy to camphor or the appearance of local skin irritation.

If inflammation of the mammary glands has developed, you can use arnica ointment, cabbage leaf, which is scalded with boiling water and compresses are made.

If a bitch has a false pregnancy after each estrus and manifests itself strongly, then it is recommended to spay the dog, unless of course you plan to get offspring from it. Sterilization will minimize the occurrence of behavioral problems, as well as significantly reduce the development of oncology and completely eliminate problems in gynecology.

For the prevention of falsehood, it is good to use the drug Ovariovit, which begins to be used 2-3 weeks before the likely onset of its symptoms. Simply put, the drug can be started 1-1.5 months after the end of estrus. The drug is prescribed in the form of injections 1 time in 3-4 days. If signs of falsehood have already appeared, then the dosage and frequency of administration are changed: the drug is used at the rate of 1 ml per 10 kg of body weight, s / c, once a day, for 5-10 days. As the intensity of false signs decreases, the drug is used 1-2 times a week. In addition to injections, there are also pills that are prescribed for 10-14 days.

The drug Galastop is used to prevent lactation, enlargement of the mammary glands, as well as the development lactational mastitis... This drug has proven itself in the treatment of false pregnancy and suppression of lactation.

In case of problems with the mammary glands, Mastometrin is prescribed, which is actively used for mastitis and gives nice results... You can use the following combination of drugs: Ovariovit - 10-14 days, Mastometrin - 10-14 days and Cytostat, which is prescribed for a course of 30 days. The last drug prescribed as a prophylaxis for the development of breast neoplasms.

It will not be superfluous to use sedatives, for example: "Novopassit", "Cat Bayun", "Stop-stress" and others similar drugs... Only in more serious cases can a veterinarian prescribe more powerful sedatives.

Hormones are also used to treat falsehood, but they are not recommended for independent use. They should only be used after consulting your veterinarian.

During the period when your dog has false puberty, you need to carefully monitor its well-being. Often during this period, pyometra (purulent inflammation of the uterus) can develop. This disease is very serious and, moreover, life-threatening to your pet. It should be noted that more often this problem occurs in animals that have received hormonal agents for the treatment of false sensitivities or suppression of estrus.

False pregnancy in dogs (false pregnancy)

False scrying.

False breeding is very common among urban dogs. Every third bitch can be observed. I have seen false puberty in a dog after the first estrus. It can also occur in parous dogs. According to my observations, Labradors and Rottweilers are susceptible to falsehood, french bulldogs and many other breeds.

Here is a case from my practice:

I was called to a Doberman bitch for pathological childbirth. The dog was mated two months ago, and the due date has approached. The bitch had contractions and even, as it seemed to the owner, attempts. The owner also said that she groped the puppy in the vagina, but he could not get out, and my help was needed. I came to the woman in labor. The dog, a huge Doberman girl, sat with a toy in his teeth in a wardrobe and looked angrily at all those gathered. Her breasts were enlarged and milk was dripping from her nipples. The hostess took the toy away and dragged the dog into the middle of the room. On intravaginal examination, I did not find a single puppy. On palpation abdominal wall the result was the same. I told the hostess my thoughts. I had no doubt that the dog was falsely pregnant. The owner of the dog did not believe me, and when I left, she called the surgeons, who cleared the dog. They did not find any puppies. I understand the excitement of the owners of these dogs. Large dog. There may be one puppy. But I was immediately convinced that this was a falsehood. The dog was carrying the toy like a puppy. This only happens when you are falsely pregnant.

Therefore, it is time to draw conclusions:

What false and true puppies have in common:

knitting
knitting lock
the dog behaves like a pregnant dog for two months (eats a lot, gets fat, becomes calmer)
after 2 months labor begins, contractions and attempts are observed.

And now the differences:

In a truly pregnant dog:

knitting,
lock
behavior in pregnancy,
increase in volume chest and belly,
stirring puppies, but not always,
a few days before giving birth, hair falls out near the nipples,
a week before giving birth, temperature jumps begin, then 37.2 then 38.5
24 hours before giving birth, the temperature drops to 37.2-36.5, and does not rise until the first puppy appears.
contractions are quite rare at first, but the closer the delivery is, the more frequent and intense they are. The dog breathes through the mouth.
during contractions, the dog often asks to go outside, cleaning bladder and intestines.
24 hours after the onset of labor or less dog starts pushing and gives birth to puppies, unless of course there is no pathology.
Never, under any guise, a truly pregnant dog will nurse a toy, she will have absolutely no time for it.

In a false-bearing bitch:

may not be mating, well, it is immediately clear that it is false.
the areola is not cleared of hair
if there was a mating, then the temperature before childbirth either does not go down at all or goes down, but completely insignificantly, to such low limits as in a truly pregnant bitch, it does not reach
the dog is worried on the day of the so-called birth
may even push for a while
and then grabs the toy and starts licking and nursing it, pushes it under the nipples
this is where it all ends

I think that many experienced breeders have their own observations of false puppies. I would be glad if you could share them with me.
My address:[email protected]

Manifestations of false schenny. How the owner of the dog can behave.
First option. The mammary glands are slightly enlarged. There is no milk. The dog behaves as usual.
Your actions: Walk more. Reduce the diet by 30 percent within a few days. And do not give a lot to drink.
Option two. The mammary glands are significantly enlarged.
All actions from the first option. And we constantly monitor the mammary glands. If they are enlarged and the skin on them turns red, use the old grandfather's method. Lather your dog's udder with laundry soap and do not rinse. Tested to reduce inflammation.
Option three. The dog chooses a toy for itself, most often squeaking, and begins to drag it in its teeth, lick it, push it to the nipples. There is only one piece of advice in the literature on this matter: take away the toy.

I will give you a story from my practice.

It was 20 years ago. An acquaintance called me and said that a Rottweiler dog was carrying a toy in its teeth. The glands are swollen and very hard. The skin on the mammary glands is reddened. After reading the instructions in the books, I recommended that she take the toy from the dog and rub the mammary glands with camphor oil. Supposedly everything will pass.
In the evening next day with tears in her voice, my friend tells me the following story. She took the toy away from the dog and went to work. Arriving from work, I found a complete destruction in the apartment, a crazy dog running around the apartment in search of a toy. The dog very aggressively met the owner, and she rushed to call me. I got lost. How to be. Indeed, in books and magazines, there is only one recommendation: in no case should you give toys to a dog if you are falsely pregnant. I decided to take a chance and told my friend to urgently give the dog a toy and churn a little milk from each hardened lobe of the mammary gland. After 10 minutes, a happy and contented acquaintance reported to me that the dog took the toy to its place and licks it tenderly. The milk has been expressed. The dog is much better. I sighed with relief.
Conclusions:

Now I always recommend giving the toy to the dog, let him nurse. The dog must realize its motherhood instinct, well, at least in this way.
I recommend expressing milk, but only a little. If you want to see how this is done, write to me here: [email protected] and I will give you a link to the video.
It is not advisable to express milk unnecessarily. If only the mammary glands are very full and it smells of inflammation.

Now in veterinary pharmacies appeared new drug stopping false puberty. I cannot say anything about this yet. I did not use it. It is expensive and not everyone can afford it.

False pregnancy, as a natural state of the body, occurs only in dogs. The reason for this is the slow resorption of the corpus luteum and the full production of pregnancy hormones by it. False breeding in dogs often does not need treatment, but with regular occurrences and strong symptoms it is advisable to think about what to do.

To identify the cause of falsehood in dogs, you need to understand the natural ovulation cycle. In dogs, estrus occurs every 6-8 months, in old and young individuals it may be irregular or mild, but unlike in humans, menopause is absent in dogs.

In total, there are four phases of the cycle.

Proestrus - first phase

The owners call this period directly "estrus", however, at this time the dog cannot become pregnant. The symptoms of proestrus are as follows:

the vulva is swollen;
bloody discharge of red or dark red color flows from the vagina;
the pet urinates often, little urine is released, with this method the dog marks the area around to attract males;
males react to the dog, try to do the cage;
Although the dog flirts with them, it does not allow to sit on itself, with such attempts it can react aggressively to the males.

Estrus - second phase

At this time, the dogs actively mate, it is this time that is most favorable for conception. The eggs mature, the moment they are ready - ovulation - becomes the end of estrus.

This period is characterized by the following features:

from the vagina of the female, pink or straw-colored discharge is noted;
the dog allows the males to cage, actively mates.

Metaestrus - third phase

At this time, the eggs have already left the ovaries, and at the site of the ruptured follicles, a corpus luteum is formed, which produces progesterone, a hormone that causes all the signs of pregnancy. In the presence of pregnancy, other glands are also connected to the process, which increase the amount of progesterone and prepare the body for childbirth.

In the absence of fertilization, the level of progesterone is still very high and almost corresponds to the norm during pregnancy. Due to the fact that the corpus luteum in dogs degrades very slowly (about 2 months), the female develops characteristic syndrome false puberty.

Anestrus - fourth stage

The last stage, which is characterized by a period of calm. Dogs accumulate strength, and also help the alpha female to carry her offspring.

Features of the canine cycle

In the canine family, only the dominant alpha female reproduces, the rest of the females help in feeding, and also take care of the offspring, since the alpha female participates in hunting along with the others. Created for the survival of the flock special mechanism- false pregnancy. This feature allows unfertilized females to produce milk, and also creates a maternal instinct in them.

Thus, it can be concluded that falsehood is not a pathology. Because of this, many veterinarians tend to think of false pregnancies as a natural cycle that all dogs have. It's just that for some this period is manifested clearly, while for others it is imperceptible. But despite this, especially active falsehood can lead to a number of diseases.

Signs in dogs

Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the condition of the dog's body. In some pets, the signs are blurry, light, in others, they are bright, the moment of the beginning and end of false puberty is clearly distinguished. All symptoms can be divided into two groups: physiological and psychological.

Physiological symptoms

This group includes signs that affect the state of the dog's body:

Loss of appetite
Vomiting in the morning
Hyperthermia
Bloating
Toxicosis
Swelling of the mammary glands
Milk or translucent white secretion is secreted from the nipples
Possible vaginal discharge, but in a minimal amount
The loop is sometimes swollen, edematous
A rare sign - a fake birth, with strong and painful "contractions"
Sometimes there is stiffness in gait, the dog seems to be "wagging its backside" - this is the result of lameness on hind legs... In this case, falsehood must be distinguished from more dangerous diseases: polyarthritis, dysplasia, spondylosis.

Psychological symptoms

This includes signs that affect the behavior of the dog, its reaction to the environment:

The dog is restless, irritable
The pet does not find a place for itself, often gets up and looks for a secluded, dark place
The dog equips itself with a "nest", where it takes "puppies"
The maternal instinct can extend to inanimate objects, more often toys, as well as other family members: small children, cats, hamsters, etc.
The redirection of the maternal instinct manifests itself in the form of unusual affection: the dog licks the "puppy", brings him food, puts it under his nipples, follows him on his heels, protects him from everyone, even from the owners.

The main danger of false puppies is that the dog can be jealous of real and not his own puppies for a real mother.

As a result, a serious conflict will break out, which can end in a merciless fight for survival and death. But the opposite result is also possible, when two mothers feed one puppy or even kittens.

What to do with milk?

Stagnant milk in the nipples leads to mastitis, but it is also impossible to express it, as this will increase its production, prolong the false pregnancy even more. It turns out a dilemma - you cannot express, but leaving the situation as it is is also dangerous. To solve the problem, a low protein diet is prescribed, which will lead to a decrease in the amount of milk produced.

At the same time, it is impossible to express milk, if the dog itself licks it, then they put on a blanket or smear the nipples camphor oil, the acrid smell of which will discourage the dog from licking the nipples. The value of the second method is that camphor reduces lactation.

Sometimes a pet has an allergy to the remedy in the form of redness, dryness and irritation of the skin. In this case, camphor alcohol can be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1 and smeared without rubbing into the skin, cleanly rub over the wool. If irritation from camphor persists, then you need to stop using it and consult a doctor for a special drug.

For fight inflammation of the breast you can adopt several popular methods:

The most simple means is a compress from black bread crumb, which must be mixed with honey in a 1: 1 ratio.
Aloe vera juice is a powerful anti-inflammatory and disinfectant, so it can be used to wipe down the nipples and the skin around them.
Take a cabbage leaf, make a lot of shallow notches on it so that the juice stands out more abundantly, scald it with boiling water, and then knead it with your hands. A cabbage leaf scalded with boiling water is applied to the nipples with milk.

Treatment of falsehood

Usually, they do not fight with falsehood, the condition goes away in the dog on its own. But if the pathology causes strong concern to the owner and the pet, then certain measures can be taken. All therapies can be divided into three categories: non-drug, medicinal and cardinal surgical... The duration of the false pregnancy and the level of anxiety from it are the main factors when choosing a method.

Non-drug therapy

Treatment consists of diet and walking changes. In general, the method is aimed at creating artificial extreme conditions so that she had no time to think about nonsense. In this regard, the very method of therapy is controversial (the dog has a problem, we create another problem for him so that he does not think about the first one).

The diet consists of reducing the amount of protein in the diet:

when detecting false puppies, it is useful to first put the dog on starvation diet for a day;
with natural feeding, reduce the amount of meat products, cereals and bread, increase the content of boiled vegetables;
exclude milk and dairy products from the diet;
when feeding with ready-made feed, change the menu to dry rations with the inscription "Light" on the package - this is a series of feed with a low amount of protein;
reduce the amount of water consumed; on the street walk the dog in a muzzle.

Along with the diet increase the duration and activity of walks... To relieve your pet's pain from a forced hunger strike, do not eat or cook in front of your dog.

Surgical solution

Consists in pet sterilization... This cannot be called a treatment, since the level of injury does not correspond to the original problem. This method is worth resorting to if offspring from a dog is still undesirable. In this case, sterilization is simply a routine procedure that has been postponed to an earlier date.

It should be remembered that it is not recommended to carry out the operation during false pregnancy. After sterilization, there will be desired effect, in the worst case, a false pregnancy, on the contrary, will drag on (due to the connection to the pituitary gland process) and lead to undesirable consequences. The surgery is best done after the symptoms have disappeared.

Drug therapy

It is advisable that all medications be prescribed by a veterinarian. Treatment has three goals:

prevent breast diseases;
calm your pet's nerves;
reduce the production and effect of progesterone.

Preventing Breast Disease

The main dangers are mastitis and breast swelling, so drugs are chosen to prevent these diseases:

Mastometrin... It is used for mastitis, endometritis, vaginitis, as well as for the prevention of inflammation of the mammary gland in case of false pregnancy. The drug is harmless and at the same time gives a quick result.
Galastop... It is a hormonal drug, therefore it must be prescribed by a specialist. Active active substance- cabergoline. The drug reduces lactation, prevents breast enlargement, and prevents mastitis. It can be used as a means to eliminate the state of falsehood. The agent is given orally with food. The dosage is 3 drops per kilogram of the pet's weight, usually a course of 4-6 days is enough.
Phytoelite Cytostat... The main task of the drug is the prevention of breast neoplasms, it is used to treat false breasts. The product contains a large number of herbs is completely natural. For the best effect, it is given from the detection of estrus to the anestrus phase, in total up to 3 weeks in total. Dosage - 10 kg tablet, depending on symptoms 1-3 times a day.

Sedatives

Usually, the drug "Bayun Cat" or "Novopassit" is used for this, both agents are gentle, do not contain alcohol, therefore they can be prescribed to any pets. For more serious cases, you can use Bromcamphor, the medicine not only soothes, but also reduces the heartbeat, relieves tachycardia, neurasthenia.

In difficult situations, the veterinarian may prescribe diphenhydramine and other sedatives.

Hormonal agents

The action of this group is directed not at the consequences, but at the elimination of the falsehood itself. They include hormones: progestogen, estrogen, androgen and other progesterone and prolactin antagonists... However, hormonal drugs themselves can have undesirable consequences, so they are used only in severe cases when there is a threat to the pet's life, which is extremely rare in case of false pregnancy.

A two-drug scheme is also used - this is Naloxone and Bromocriptine... The first is given at a dosage of 0.01 mg / kg 1-2 times a day, and the second at a dose of 0.01 mg / kg once a day. Both drugs are used until the symptoms of false pregnancy completely disappear. But they are poorly tolerated, as they induce vomiting in the pet, therefore, antiemetics are administered to the dog before giving.

False pregnancy myths

There are several myths worth talking about separately:

Bloody discharge is confused with menstruation in women. But this is a big mistake. First, in dogs, blood comes from the walls of the vagina, and in humans, from the uterus. Secondly, in bitches, blood is a sign of the onset of estrus, and in women, the end of the sexual cycle.
People think that normal pregnancy will prevent false ones in the future. In fact, this is not the case, because false pregnancy will not be associated in any way with a previous pregnancy.
The biggest mistake - if you destroy the "nest", then the dog will change its mind. But such an action will only aggravate the condition of the dog. The pet will feel a threat to the offspring, anxiety will increase, perhaps the dog will begin to behave aggressively.
Another mistake is that false reporting necessarily causes various diseases(mastitis and neoplasms). In fact, it only increases the risk of these diseases, and in most cases passes without a trace.