Hi, we would be grateful for any advice from anyone with any knowledge/experience of false pregnancies.

We have a cocker spaniel bitch who is 15 months old (Becks). She was due to have her spaying operation a week on Wednesday but due to her inflamed mammory glands we took her to the vets for an early check up and he confirmed she may be experiencing a false pregnacy. She has to go back to the vets a week on Tuesday for another check up to see if it would be possible/wise to go ahead with the spaying but to be honest I don't think it will take place, at least not at the moment as now her behaviour is changing also and we are starting to worry about her.

We also have the added problem that we have a 13 week old cocker spaniel dog (Jack) and he is getting the rough end of her mood swings at the moment. We've had him for 5 weeks and up until recently she has accepted him into the family and they have got on really well (other than the odd telling off from Becks if Jack tries to come between her and her ball!) but now she has got really protective over everything from us to chews, trainers, chairs, toys, you name it and is growling at Jack for no reason. He just has to walk up to her and she starts.

Is there any particular way of treating her during what she is going through? Would it be wise to seperate her from Jack temporarily? We're a bit wary of changing her routine in case she needs stability? To be honest we're at a bit of a loss what to do. We'll naturally be seeking advice from the vet when she goes back but in the meantime if anyone could offer any advice we'd be grateful.

Hi Marie,
Years ago my parents had a rottweiler who had a couple of phantom pregnencies. I was only about 8 at the time and always did everything for our 'rotty'. she would growl at anyone who went near her and spent alot of her time in her basket which was in a utility room off the kitchen so it was kind of her room and space. She wouldnt let anyone near her apart from me for some reason. She would let me gather her toys and put them in her basket with her like her babies and then I would sit next to her basket stroking and chatting to her! I cant remember how long they lasted or whether my parents had to do anything special for her.
I know that we had to have her spade as she got that serious infection (that I cant remember the name of but begins with 'm' and there are posts about it under the health section) I dont know whether this was related to the phantom pregnencies?
I know I havent been much help but at least you know that your dog isnt the only one.
Im sure someone else will reply soon with much more info.
Good luck and I hope things get back to normal soon :)

Hi,
It isn't really uncommon for bitches to experience false pregnancy's. Its natures way of communal rearing of puppies in the wild.
My bitch has had two of them and I found the best way of helping her through them was, up her carbohydrate intake (less protein). Decrease her water and up her exercise. And, although it may seem mean, take her toys away from her and give her big chew treats instead to occupy her mind and give her something to work at. All in all they lasted about 3 weeks and she was producing milk but I found that all of the above certainly eased things for her.
Hope this is some help to you
Anne
ps She has gone on to have 2 litters, one of which is just 3 days old today!

The other option is to tell the vet and ask if anyone knows of any pups who need a foster mum.

Thank you all for your replies. It certainly helps put the mind at rest when you can consult more experienced owners!

She actually seems a bit more laid back today, so Jack is making the most of it whilst she's in a good mood :-)

Thanks again!

Our dog was sapayed on Friday and since then has been showing signs of having a phantom pregnancy, she's off her food and water, is 'nesting', picks up toys whilst whining and is generally miserable. Today we noticed some dischage from her nipples which I think is her lactating.
I was really surprised to find this behaviour immediately after spaying, I know it could of affected her hormone levels but there was no sign of any phantom before surgery, she finished her first season 8 weeks ago. I thought spaying would prevent them occuring in the future, not bring one on.
Another side affect is the colour of her tongue, is really dark, a sort of brick red colour. Does all of this sound normal? I've heard that homeopthic remedies that can help as well as diet, any other suggesstions? It's awful to see her so down and we want to do what we can.

Thanks
Paschal

This certainly isn't normal behaviour following spaying, so I would definitely contact your vet. The colour of her tongue doesn't sound right, so I would be concerned.

It's a shame she was spayed at the time she was, because it was at the time she would have whelped if she had been mated at her season, and so was the classic time for a phantom. Waiting another month would have been more sensible - I'm surprised your vet didn't suggest it. However, what's done is done, so no use wishing it hadn't.

Hope she feels better soon. Let us know how she gets on.

We were advised by the vets to spay 2 months after end of season, wish they'd told me 3 months woud be better.
We took her back to the vet yesterday, her temperature was normal and she's not dehydrated, her gums were a normal colour. Her tongue seems to be getting a little lighter in colour but not quite it's usual pink colour yet.
The vet said that spaying has affected her hormone levels which has brought on the phantom. She's not whining as much now we've taken away her toys and soft bedding (I feel mean though!). She's still lactating but only from the bottom 4 nipples, vet said to keep an eye on this as could result in mastitis. I've got her to eat some tuna/lamb/rice but she doesn't seem to be particulary bothered about eating/drinking, she woud normaly be really excited at dinner time.
She is at her happiest while out walking, the only thing that hasn't changed in her.