Hi All,

This is my first time experiencing a phantom pregnancy.
My girl was bred - few slip matings, no ties. We used Idexx to confirm ovulation.
Was scanned at 4, 5 & 6 weeks(went to 2 diff scanners) - no puppies. She is bigger than norm, mainly around her ribs.
We have not increased any feedings and have carried on with her routine.

She would be 7 weeks now, started to show clear jelly like discharge from 4 weeks post mating and i noticed some again last night.
Is this cause for concern?
Also the last few days she has started to dig at her bed???
Can anyone suggest anything to help phantoms?

thanks

Do not think that I would give her anything yet to help a 'phantom' because she could be in whelp, dogs usually get a clear, mucous discharge when in whelp.  And as she has been mated there is always the possibility of pups, even though the scan was negative, has been known to happen!!

I agree. She sounds like she is in whelp so don't do anything to stop it ;-)

I experienced this on my bitches last season. She even lost what looked like her mucus plug on her due date and was digging and panting!!  Mind you I didnt use Idexx but have this time and we are just waiting to see if she is pregnant. I have had my biggest litter with 1 slip mating.

I would treat her as if she is as she does sound like she is. Better to be safe!!!

Good luck, fingers crossed!!!!

As I have a breed that often doesn't even look pregnant at 7 weeks, I always treat them as pregnant bitches, and they go on Panacur from day 40.  If they're not pregnant (only happened once) then it certainly won't harm them at such a low dose.

Given that mine carry very high up, and you have found mucous, I would be treating as a pregnant bitch until full term.

i fear I'm goint throught he same thing.  Was going to post but no need to do it twice.  I'm also in the same delema, do i prepare or stop being silly as my breeder said 'she's not pregnant, the scan said'.  I have noticed a widening around her ribs and digging with lots of sleeping.  i haven't looked for any mucus although she does feel wet there when i pick her up.

i'm considering a re scan but don't want to go back to scanner and say she might be.

My girl only has a slight widening at the ribs - she is definatley bigger. Not huge, but not normal either.
Im pretty certain its a phantom, 3 scans, two very experienced dog scanners. scanned at 4, 5 & just over 6 weeks.
Would have thought something would have been seen?
Just hope it doesnt get any worse for her.

well not always ,maybe she only having 1 or 2 and their hiding in her ribs? so they wouldnt show on the scan. good luck and i hope all goes well with your girl! x

sunshine - what day is your girl on?

Having the same issues as yourself.Scan showed no puppies,but we have widening of ribs,clear mucus discharge,her milk has come in etc due date now - so treating it as a phantom.You just feel so sorry for our woos!!!!

Hi Jean, she would be day 54 if went like clockwork and she concieved when we think.  She's due on 16th if she is.  The scan didn't show anthing.  I've had the sickness, lack of appitite then an increase and soooo picky with small meals.  She wants food but not always taking it even when I hand feed.  Her nipples are still up but not enlarged and i can see a 'v' shape across her belly, I didn't think that was visible until whelping, if its not just from her season.

Hi Sunshine - my bitch is also on Day 54 from the first mating. Her nipples are huge though - and I mean huge. Slightly concerned that they may be a little too big for pups...

all girls are so different ,my girl has had her 1st litter 5weeks ago ,her nipples wasnt big ,yes you could she a change in them but not much, is this your girls 1st litter gema? x

My girl would be due on 14th June - she very hungry all the time.
But we have not increased the food since we didnt see anything on the ultrasounds.
She sleeps more as well.
We have stuck to the usual routine. This would have been her first litter.

Yes it will be her first litter. She is a large ish breed and close coated so it may be that they look bigger because they are clearly visble to us? We have bred Sp Spaniels in the past and have never noticed them being that big but I guess you can't see so easily on the due to the long hair.....

Emmad i would give her extra "just incase" if she dont have any pups then you can decrese her food after! x

Gema i too use to breed sp saniels :)

could be her coat but could just be her :) ,good luck!x

This was my dilema too, slip matings, no real showing signs, but when do you decide it is a phantom, as you all know our pups had died inside at about 4-5 weeks, but on her due day and the days after she did everything as though she was going into labor. So as the others have said treat them as though they are, they can lose a few lbs after if not, also i think when they've been mated is important that when the day comes and goes, that you should confirm she is empty. Not still carrying mummified fetus's.

Hi..I'm going through a phantom too :( Just at the end of ours actually. My girl was scanned twice, no pups, but had every sign of being in whelp. We've had sickness, decreased appetite, mucus discharge, everything a pregnant girl would have. We now have a very small amount of watery milky discharge from teats & a still swollen vulva. We're on day 65 from last mating ( i think, cos my mind is all over the place today) so symptoms should clear up quickly. My girly just seeks attention constantly, so she's being spoilt rotton. Phantoms are awful for the girl & owner. Good luck...I know what you're going through xx LG

I was told to give Raspberry leaf or pulsitila once you know its safe.

hi we are having problems with are STB who 3 1/2 yrs we get ties she shows all the signs as normal . we mated her differant times and only used proven dogs been to vet they can't find anything right! she has phantoms. so can anyone help!!!!
to answer you question i just let nature take its course ! however if in dealt always see you vet if you no your dogs been or having problems goodluck

> But we have not increased the food since we didnt see anything on the ultrasounds.

Big mistake if she is in whelp.  And if she isn't with a phantom, the stress often makes them lose weight anyway.  I always, always feed as if in whelp.