Hi
My 18mth old had a season 13 weeks ago but is having a phantom pregnancy - the last couple of weeks she has begun to swell and be 'baggy' underneath, but the last few days she is getting fuller with milk (haven't seen any coming out) and is digging the kitchen tiles quite a lot.

The last show was a week ago and she was very fidgety on the table and didn't even want to trot round the ring (south wales), a lot of other dogs were unsettled on the move also so didnt even think it could be this phantom putting her in a delicate mood. She can often be fidgety on the table and i hate making excuses for her not going properly so ignored the phantom pregnancy.

She has a show on 20th july so was wondering if anyone else shows their bitch when they are like this? Do the judges mind feeling enlarged mamary areas?

I am sure judges would be ok with it, but why not just allow your bitch to take some time out and recover from her phantom?
I am guessing, with all those hormones flying around her body, she might not be in optimum condition anyway?
If it was me I would skip the show if she is still the same.

One of mine has a phantom after ever season getting worse each time (she is going to be spayed after we have had a litter from her as its getting to be a nightmare!!), and we have never had any problems showing her.  She has won some very big classes (including pup of the year heat!!!) with what can only be described as udders!!  The last one i have to admit was particularly bad and we did skip a couple of shows because she was getting hotter than normal (it was during the hot weather we had a few weeks ago) and she was dripping milk so it was getting quite bad.  It got to the point where we had to get meds (galastop i think its called??) from the vet and that cleared it up in a couple of days.  We have always found putting parsley in the food has cleared it up very quickly also so might be worth trying that if its not too bad!

But as long as she is not upset by it, the judges should look past that :)  I do envy those people showing boys, they have none of these problems to worry about!!

I've heard that Raspberry Leaf tablets from Dorwest are good to prevent phantoms.  My friend used them with her bitch and they worked well.

I think you have to take them as preventitive rather than as a solution may not help in this case.  However it may be worth looking at for the future.

Cheers

Vicky

Hi my bitch has phanthoms  .  i give her Pulsatilla tablets  made by Nelson  From H and B.

thanks everyone - I will see what she's like in a week before deciding on taking to her to the show, probably will aim to go unless she gets much worse but i was expecting her to be improving by now.

If you start galstop quickly and give her lots of excercise it should make her go up really quickly.

I personally never let my girls get that bad because not only does it make them worse than me with PMT a dog show is also a beauty contest in my opinion and I dont like to see it.  I suppose it is easier to hide is the dog has long hair but in smooth coated breeds it looks awful.

Sorry just my opinion. :)

Have other people heard this about raspberry leaf and if so when should you give it please? My girl had a real pregnancy last time but the time before she was mated and missed, and had a small phantom - no sagging or broodiness but she did produce milk. She had her post litter season at the beginning of June so I'll be watching for phantoms at the end of July or thereabout but would be pleased if there was some way to help avoid!

Hi Lucy

Dorwest Herbs are really good.  They are at most general Champ shows and you can also order online/mail order.

If you "Google" Dorwest you will find their site.

Regards

Vicky