My little westie is 18 months old. she had her 1st season at 6 months and shorlty after that had a phantom pregnancy.  I was not worried about her as I took her to the vet and was reassured and after a week or two, she settled down.  However, she has started another one but is not due to go into season until May. She is really upset and crying all the time and very unsettled. She has adopted a little rubber hedgehog (which she had from the first phantom) and carries it everywhere with her.  She wont even go out on her beloved walks and when I eventually manage to get her out, the little hedgehog has to come to.  She's not eating and is really restless. I have moved from Newcastle to Scotland and obviously cannot take her to her own vet, but have arranged to take her to one here on Friday.

Can anyone give me any help or advice, to make this time a bit better for her. I am so upset to see her so upset.

Please fellow dog lovers help me!!

Firstly, hard as it may seem, I think you need to take away anything that may substitute as a puppy.  Then cut her food down while she's like this - this will trigger her body into thinking that there aren't enough resources available and set her hormones back onto the correct level.  Once you've removed the pup substitute, she should be more willing to come for walks, and this too will help kick her body back onto a level again.

Just wanted to add that phantome pregnancy is perfectly norml afte a season, it is just the extent of it that varies, and most of it is psycological, and you must not pander to her mood as has been said, lots of brisk walks remove comoft objects and even bedding if necesary.

Poor girl, these phantoms, although perfectly normal, can make them very miserable. :( As the others say, take away her hedgehog, and any other toy she fancies when she's like this. You're going to have to be 'cruel to be kind' and force her out for lots of exercise, and cut her protein levels. Don't give her time to brood, but rather be very enthusiatic and public-school 'jolly-hockey-sticks' with her, and she'll be a lot happier a lot sooner.

>'jolly-hockey-sticks'<

Luv it :P   Teri

"jolly hockey sticks!!"   I thought I'd forgotten all about that - but really, it's true......when I think about it, HOW IVE BEEN BRAINWASHED ALL THESE YEARS!!!!

Margot

The phrase still makes me think of our Miss Crombie ... No time for silly softness there...!

It is the phrase I use when telling puppy and dog owners not to pander to their dogs insecurity when socialising them.