Hi all, my girl started her first season at the end of Oct, towards the end of the season she began to develop quite pronounced breast tissue  and has now started to really gain weight, I'm assuming this is a phantom, if I didn't know better I would swear she was pregnant. Can anyone advise me if there's anything I should or shouldn't be doing? And how long will this go on for, will she be like this for the full 'term'?
Thanks in advance.

Firstly are you sure this is a phantom, there is no way that she could have been near a male unneutered dog? Phantom's are quite common, mild ones can last for up to 21ish days, but if the symptoms continue after that she will need veterinary help here, her hormones will produce milk (which will need sorting out) and every other symptom of a bitch in whelp. 

So pop her down to the vet who will give her a full exam, no doubt will also discuss future spaying with you (if she is not a bitch to be bred from) a sure fire way of preventing future phantoms, some bitches may contiually have them, so spaying is best aswell as protection from pyo and mammary tumours. :-)

Thanks for your reply, no, theres no way she could be pregnant I have 2 males but they are both neutered and just to be safe they were never left alone with her. Will get her booked in for a check up though, is it 21 days from the time they are fertile or from the end of the season?

Try Dorwest Herbs for a remedy

Took this from the dorwest website as i have no clue on links.

This tiresome condition is much more common in dogs than cats and is as much a psychological problem as a physical one. Unfortunately bitches that have a tendency to phantom pregnancies will often suffer season after season. In extreme cases it may be advisable to obtain veterinary advice regarding the ultimate spaying of the bitch to resolve the problem. However the following treatment has proved very effective in either totally preventing a phantom pregnancy or reducing the symptoms.
Raspberry Leaf tablets should be given, at the recommended dosage, to susceptible bitches from the first sign of them coming into season and continued for twelve weeks to prevent the physical symptoms. Many bitches become anxious and stressed at this time and Scullcap and Valerian tablets should be given when required to keep the bitch calm and settled. There are homoeopathic preparations that may be considered to reduce the symptoms if a phantom pregnancy should occur Some breeds of dog are more susceptible to this condition than others and it is one that should be treated in consultation with your veterinary surgeon.

I have a bitch who has milk like a cow after every season raspberry leaf as already said is great i give it 2 weeks roughly before a season is due doesn't make any difference if it goes over the 2 weeks but it works a treat

Hi, my dog has phantom pregnancies, she has had four now, they get worse after every season, the last one she lost all her weight, her fur, she was in such bad condition, and the more phantoms they have the longer they last, i have decided now not to breed from my girl and get her speyed instead, as she is more treasured to me alive than breeding her for puppies.  If you are not intending to breed from your girl, then i would advise to have her spayed, usually the vets do it upto a month before her next season, but they may do it before, vets are different.