I mentioned before my girl had  phantom for the 2nd time on 2nd season. She had Galastop which is supposed to clear things up within a few days. I had to go back because her mammary glands were full and vet gave me a 2nd course which he thought unusual. Over a week after the 2nd course had finished she still had a discharge but from one or two glands. Now finally it has all finished thankfully.
She was 2 in APril and by the time of her next season will be 2 years and 8/9 months I guess and I am being advised within the breed to mate her on that season. Although she is my 6th breeding bitch down the line I have never experienced this sort of thing before. We are a medium to large breed and I have a list of people waiting for a puppy. anyone else experienced these early phantoms. This one has been particularly bad and extended.

The problem with phantoms is that they will only get worse over the years :-( She is at higher risk of pyometra too, as she isn't getting  the clearout that a litter would give her. If you intend breeding from her do it asap and then have her spayed at the earliest possible timing. I haven't heard of phantoms being hereditary, so I don't really know what else to say :-(

> I haven't heard of phantoms being hereditary

Phantoms are normal.  In all bitches.

I have never had severe phantom symptoms in any of mine, just the usual slightly swollen mammary glands, easy too miss with a double coted breed, and most noticeable after first season when all the reproductive parts become more obvious thereafter.

Have never found them any worse, if anything better after be4ing bred from, so I wouldn't rush into neutering following first litter, but see how subsequent seasons go.

You won't be able to evaluate her offspring fully, to decide if you want to breed again, FOR AT lLEAST A YEAR OR SO.

>I haven't heard of phantoms being hereditary

>Phantoms are normal.  In all bitches.

What I meant was bad phantoms. Though I hadn't noticed a phantom in the majority of my bitches over the years. So either they didn;t have anh or it was so slight I missed it. I did have one bitch that was bad and had her spayed once I decided not to breed from her.

Thanks for these replies. All thoughts gratefully received as I have not been sure which way to go but I have started to home in on the dog I want to use although not finally decided. I think though I will go with trying for a successful mating next season.