A friend took her Australian Shepard to the vet for yearly shots. The vet told her that he believed the dog had had a false pregnancy and if that was the case she would need to be spayed. Being a consumate professional, the vet did not explain what a false pregnancy was or why it required spaying. The dog is over two years old and has never given birth.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), December 18, 2001

Answers

From Merek's Vet Manual

False Pregnancy in Bitches (Pseudopregnancy, Pseudocyesis)

False pregancy is common in bitches, uncommon in queens. It occurs at the end of diestrus and is characterized by hyperplasia of the mammary glands, lactation, and behavior changes. Some bitches behave as if paturition has occurred, "mothering" by nesting inanimate objects, and refusing to eat. The history, abdominal palpulation, and abdominal radiographs/untrasonograph excluding the possibility of true pregancy.

The falling progesterone and increasing prolactin concentrations associated with late diestrus are believed to be responsible for the clinical signs. No treatment is recommended because the condition resolves spontaneously in 1-3 weeks. Tranquilizers may be considered for bitches with significant behavioral changes, although some may increase prolactin release. Estogens should not be used because of the potential for bone marrow suppression. Progentins usually stop lactation, but when they are discontinued, prolactin again incrases and lactation may recur. Androgens could be considered to stop lactation. If owners are distressed by repeated bouts of pseudopregnancy, the bitch should either be bred or undergo ovariohysterctomy. Ovariohysterectomy prevents recurrence.

I believe a queen is a female dog who has undergone ovariohysterectomy.

One of my sisters had a female ankle biter who went through this a couple of times a year. She would gather all of her toys together in her basket and you had better not go near it.

The vet's recommendation was probably more for your sake, rather than the dogs.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), December 18, 2001.

A queen is a female cat. Dogs that are prone to false pregnancy can also fall victim to pyometria, a life-threatening infection of the uterine horns. They literally fill with pus and the infection poisons the whole system. 99% of time requires spay to cure. Having said all this, I would never automatically spay because of one false pregnancy. Vet probably based his diagnosis on enlarged mammary system or nesting behavior. It isn't necessary to spay!! He may just be looking for surgical dollars, or may be kindly trying to get a bitch spayed that is inferior and the owner doesn't see it.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

We had a cocker spaniel that did that once. She confiscated one of the kid's little stuffed animals and made a nest in the corner of the laundry closet. You could not go anywhere near her or she growled at you to stay away from her baby! She even got milk! After a month or less maybe, she was over it and never did it again.

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), December 18, 2001.

I believe a "queen " is a female cat used for breeding.I guess the main question is why hasn't she spayed the dog ? Does she plan on breeding ? Is the dog a very good example of the breed and worth breeding ? Has she done the genetic testing she should do {hips, ect } Is she willing to guarentee the pups and be there for the new owners for the next 10 years ? If any of the answers are no then she should be spayed .Good luck and call the vet back and ask why she needs to be spayed.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

I've got a cocker spanial that for several years now will get (frequently) false pregnancy. The vets have never told us to get her fixed. She just (at first but not any more) use to drag rags (used for dog pull toys) and any dirty clothes to a closet or her bed to sleep on (like prepareing for pups). She would get only a little tempromental (don't touch me additude but never snap or bite), & she actually gave milk. Any more the only way we know she is in a false pregnancy (in stead of regular heat cycle) is when we see her giving milk.

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jawjlewis@netzero.net), December 18, 2001.