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False pregnancy in dogs

The phenomenon of false pregnancy is characteristic of most predatory animals. Such a malfunction of the reproductive system is caused by the loss of one link from the harmonious chain of preparation of the dog’s body for pregnancy. If fertilization has not occurred after the onset of ovogenesis and estrus, then a false pregnancy in dogs can occur.

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What is a false pregnancy?

The physiological processes in any mammal occur almost identically. The entire period of preparation of the dog’s body for fertilization, attachment and development of the embryo, gestation is divided into the following 4 periods:

  1. Proestrum is the initial period of preparation, which lasts 7-10 days. At this time, in the body of carnivorous mammals, behavioral and physiological changes occur due to adaptive mechanisms. In the ovaries, germ cells mature, surrounded by a membrane of several layers of epithelial cells - follicles. These membrane cells secrete hormones, estrogen and progesterone, into the blood of females. They determine the dog’s behavior during estrus. Under the influence of hormones, hyperplasia of the mucous of the reproductive system occurs - the preparation of tissues for the adoption and attachment of the embryo. Sex hormones affect not only the behavioral and physiological mechanisms of pregnancy. Under the influence of hormones, the maturation and release of new oocytes ceases, and white bodies remaining from previous ovulation are reduced.
  2. Estrus is actually estrus, which lasts from 1 to 2 weeks. During this period, bleeding occurs and a change in the structure of the uterine mucosa. Regardless of whether the female had sexual intercourse from day 9 to day 12 from the onset of estrus, the formation of holes (stigma) in the follicle membrane occurs every 3 hours and the ovum (oocyte) itself is released. The oocyte remains in the ovary bag for some time, and then descends through the fallopian tubes, finally ripening. For a week, the eggs are in the oviducts, waiting for sperm to arrive.
  3. Metoestrum - the period after estrus, which lasts 30-60 days. The sexual behavior of the bitch changes significantly. From the cells of the follicle membrane, after the release of the egg, yellow bodies are formed under the influence of another sex hormone (gonadotropin). They synthesize progesterone - a hormone that inhibits the process of ovulation and promotes the restructuring of the mucous membrane of the uterine inner wall. If fertilization does not occur, then the temporary gland ceases to synthesize hormones and changes, turning into a white body. The hormonal background changes, and the last phase begins.
  4. Anestrum is a dormant period that lasts 90-130 days. The amount of progesterone is reduced. The body of a bitch is ready for a new ovulation process. Under the influence of the follicle-stimulating hormone gonadotropin, the growth and maturation of follicles resumes.

If the process of reduction (reduction) of the corpus luteum is disrupted, it lingers in the reproductive system, more precisely in the ovaries, and continues to produce hormones to prepare for pregnancy. False pregnancy in dogs read the article

A false pregnancy or false pregnancy occurs - a syndrome of violation of behavioral and physiological reactions that occur between 4-9 weeks from the onset of estrus and lasts 2-3 weeks. The dog feels pregnant, behaves accordingly, changes characteristic of pregnancy are visible in the body, but the fetus is absent.

Causes of False Pregnancy

The main cause of false stiffness is a violation of ovarian function caused by pathological processes (inflammation, tumors) or a violation of metabolic processes in the tissues of the organ. Also, a pathology of the thyroid gland or pituitary gland can become a factor in impaired ovarian function.

The production of hormones that regulate the process of ovulation is disrupted, ovarian function decreases, the corpus luteum does not reduce, and continues to produce progesterone. The functions of the hormonal activity of the corpus luteum can be affected by diseases of the kidneys and liver, severe stress suffered by the animal.

Another important reason for false puppy dogs is the activation of "pack memory". In a pack of predators, females become pregnant and puppy at about the same time. This makes it easier to control and protect the young. The phenomenon of flocking is that even in non-pregnant females, signs of pregnancy and lactation are observed at the level of psychosomatic exposure.

Non-pathological false pregnancy is observed in 60% of dogs and does not depend on the breed, age, number of pregnancies in the bitch. There is an opinion of researchers that the reason for the appearance of a false pregnancy is the whole complex of psychoneurohumoral regulation, which is fixed in the genetic readiness of the bitch's body to become a mother even in the absence of the possibility of fertilization.

Symptoms of the Syndrome

In the process of humoral (with the help of hormones) regulation, hormones secreted by the corpus luteum signal the brain to prepare for pregnancy. As a rule, through the chain of nerve impulses from the brain, the signal “about the necessity of body restructuring” “descends” into the dog’s reproductive organs. The syndrome of false stupidity manifests itself in the following symptoms characteristic of a physiological pregnancy:

  • breast enlargement and swelling;
  • excretion of colostrum from the nipples;
  • an increase in the abdomen;
  • the appearance of discharge from the loop.

In addition, corresponding changes occur in the behavior of the dog. It looks like this:

  • the female quite often shows anxiety, characteristic of the stage of preparation for childbirth;
  • she equips a family nest.

Some dogs show false symptoms of childbirth - languor, loss of appetite, anxiety, contractions. The dog is looking for a "surrogate" for a newborn puppy. It can be small objects or pets. The maternal instinct of a bitch can be realized in relation to newborn family members.

In the absence of pseudo-puppies, the symptoms of false pregnancy are mild and short-lived. If puppies or kittens are a substitute, then during lactation the colostrum is replaced by milk, and the dog feeds other cubs as if it were their own. false pregnancy

It is possible that the essence of a false pregnancy is to ensure the "replacement" of the mother in the event of her death. In the pack there will certainly be several bitches with signs of false pregnancy, which are able to feed and save puppies. The intensity of the severity of symptoms depends on the varying degrees of prolactin-inhibiting factor that is synthesized in the hypothalamus.

Signs of false pregnancy, as a rule, pass without treatment after 8-15 days, and milk production - after 2-3 weeks. But sometimes the syndrome is accompanied by complications. Increased milk production, in the absence of its outflow, leads to the development of mastitis.

In the process of false senility, a secret is formed in the uterus, which is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms and the occurrence of inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system. Therefore, when the signs of the phenomenon appear, the animal should be shown to the veterinarian and consulted on the need for preventive or medical treatment.

Diagnosis of the phenomenon

In order to distinguish false from physiological, it is necessary to conduct research. The simplest and most affordable way to determine is the physical method, or in another way, palpation. But due to lack of information, he can not give reliable information.

Another method is the study of discharge from the loop and the analysis of urine for the chorionic hormone of pregnancy. This laboratory method allows you to establish the presence of pregnancy, but requires special equipment.

The most informative and fairly common method is an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs. In the presence of nuclei, ultrasound in real time makes it possible to detect and see them on the monitor. In the absence of developing embryos and signs of pregnancy, the doctor will establish a diagnosis of “false pregnancy”.

First Aid Pet

In the absence of stimulation of signs of false pregnancy, the phenomenon may gradually "fade" without treatment. To accelerate the restoration of a normal condition, dogs perform the following actions:

  • prescribe diet therapy;
  • limit drinking regimen;
  • increase physical activity.

For the period of the pathological condition, it is necessary to exclude products that enhance milk production from the diet of the bitch. When feeding, protein products are removed - meat, fish, poultry. It is mandatory to exclude dairy and dairy products.

The dog to stop lactation is transferred to cereals, boiled in water, and vegetables. Some breeders recommend having hungry days and limiting drinking to a minimum. Such tough methods to stop lactation will help reduce the risk of mastitis.

Less radical methods of stopping milk synthesis include compresses from cabbage leaves, tying with an elastic bandage and eliminating resorption by the dog itself. To prevent the bitch from sucking milk, you can use special or cardboard collars. You can not express milk. This method gives the opposite result and stimulates lactation.

To normalize the mental state of the dog, you need to switch its attention to active games, long walks. To exclude the creation of a den-nest, you should try to change the situation - for example, transfer the animal to another room. dog at the vet

If such methods do not give the expected result or the symptoms of false pregnancy are too pronounced, then drug therapy may be required.

Medical assistance

Based on the examination, assessment of the physical and psychological state of the bitch, the veterinarian develops an individual treatment regimen. So, for example, hormonal therapy may be required to normalize hormonal levels.

For treatment, one of the preparations containing the female sex hormone antagonist is prescribed - testosterone (Agovirin, Andromin, Adronat, Malesteron, Testoviron), 10-25 mg each. Injections of the drug are done 2 times a week. The course of treatment lasts 2-3 weeks.

The appointment of androgen therapy and the choice of the drug should be approached carefully, since the unjustified use of steroids can lead to pathological disorders in the body of the pet. These deviations include:

  • endometrial cystic hyperplasia;
  • anemia
  • thrombocytopenia;
  • vaginitis;
  • weight gain;
  • virilization (the appearance of "male" signs).

With an incorrect diagnosis of false pregnancy, treatment with hormonal drugs will lead to a miscarriage. With severe lactation, Furosemide is prescribed 1-2 mg per kilogram of animal body weight. The drug is given every other day, in a course of no more than 10-12 days (5-6 times).

Veters are advised to use bromocriptine as an alternative treatment for miscarriage. The drug is administered at a dose of 0.06 mg / kg twice a day. The course of treatment is 10-17 days.

In addition, one of the well-proven drugs in the treatment of false pregnancy is the homeopathic remedy Ovariovit. The drug has no contraindications and side effects. It consists of natural ingredients of plant and animal origin.

The tool eliminates hormonal imbalance and mental disorders, normalizes ovarian function in dogs with false stiffness. Solution for injection Ovariovit injected at a dose of 0.1 ml / kg in a course of 7-10 days. In tablets, Ovariovit is given depending on the size of the animal:

  • dogs of small and dwarf breeds - 1-2 tablets per reception;
  • medium dogs - 2-3 tablets;
  • large and giant breeds - 3-4 tablets.

It is not recommended to give the animal decoctions of sedative herbs. Many soothing plants can be toxic to animals. To calm the dog’s excessive agitation or aggression, veterinary drugs are used - Stop stress, Fitex, Adaptil spray, Jerob B — Calm Dietary Supplement infusion of medicinal herbs.

False pregnancy tends to repeat itself, if treatment is canceled, a relapse can occur. Therefore, a radical method of preventing the phenomenon is the sterilization of the bitch.

Watch a video about false pregnancy in dogs:

findings

False pregnancy in a dog is not a pathology, therefore it cannot be cured. The use of hormone replacement therapy sooner or later will have disastrous consequences, therefore it is better to sterilize a bitch in order to eliminate annual torment and prevent the development of serious pathologies of the reproductive organs.

If sterilization is not desirable, especially for breeding bitches, then you should adhere to the recommendations of a veterinarian and carry out routine mating.

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