False, pseudo or phantom pregnancies can affect un-neutered bitches due to individual response to normal hormonal changes associated with her season. They usually start after the first or second season and unfortunately, if your dog has a tendency to these, she’s likely to suffer season after season with symptoms of increasing severity which is where our herbal supplements can help. The symptoms of phantom pregnancy in dogs range from mild unsettled behaviour to more extreme nesting habits such as carrying toys, looking for pups and depression. Physical changes can also occur, including a change in body shape, enlarged teats and even milk production.
Symptoms of Phantom Pregnancy in Dogs
Our advisors are often asked about phantom pregnancy in dogs however, not many dog owners know what signs to look out for when their bitch may be experiencing a pseudo-pregnancy:
Nesting: This can involve moving around and creating a den. She may also start digging at bedding; a common sig for creating a safe whelping area.
Behavioural changes: Depression, anxiety and clinginess are all signs your bitch may be having a phantom pregnancy however these can be mistaken for other common conditions.
Loss of appetite: Eating less or not eating at all and vomiting are all common signs of a phantom pregnancy. You may also notice weight gain which is due to fluid retention, causing a swollen, bloated belly.
Physical changes: There can be physical signs for phantom pregnancy in dogs, such as swollen belly, enlarged mammary glands and she may start to produce discharge or even milk.
Nursing: Your bitch could also begin to show an interest in nursing. Perhaps by becoming attached to one particular toy and acting in a protective manner around it.
Herbal Remedies For Phantom Pregnancies in Dogs For Future Use
Our Raspberry Leaf Tablets can help your dog cope better with hormonal changes by helping maintain normal balance.
Prevention really is the best answer for a bitch who is prone to phantom pregnancies. In extreme cases where pseudo-pregnancy in dogs occurs at every season, it may be advisable to seek veterinary advice regarding the ultimate spaying of the bitch if she is not going to be bred from. However, if this is not an option, then try Raspberry Leaf Tablets for dogs which have been used successfully to help many bitches in this situation.
These tablets use high quality raspberry leaf extract and need to be given at a dosage rate of 1 tablet per 10kg bodyweight twice daily from the first sign of her coming into season. This dose should be continued for twelve weeks, which is up to the time when she would have whelped had she been mated.
Supporting your bitch after a phantom pregnancy or season is also important. Re-balance her hormones and bring normality back with our Evening Primrose Oil for dogs.
Remedies For Dogs For Immediate Use
If is too late for Raspberry Leaf Tablets For Dogs and your bitch is actually going through a phantom pregnancy, there is assistance available that will help to reduce the symptoms and make her more settled while it lasts.
There is a homoeopathic remedy, Pulsatilla 15C, which can help a lot. This should be given every 2 hours for the first 12 hours and then four times a day until the symptoms reduce. Very often a bitch will have swollen teats and will start to produce milk; this is one of the more obvious symptoms. Limiting the amount of cereals you feed will help to minimise those symptoms, as will, within reason, not giving extra fluids, as both of these encourage milk production (but always keep water readily available). At the same time, give the homoeopathic remedy Urtica 3C, which is specifically used to suppress milk production and one of our most widely used homoeopathic remedies for dogs. As with the Pulsatilla 15C, give it every 2 hours for the first 12 hours and then three times a day until the milk flow reduces.
Psychological Aspects of a Phantom Pregnancy in Dogs
While the above tips will help with the physical symptoms of a phantom pregnancy in dogs, it is the psychological aspects that are as distressing for us as owners as they are for her. We find it upsetting to see our bitch being upset and confused by what is happening to her. Effects may include anxiety, confusion and general insecurity that often results in her wanting to cling to us more than usual. The best way to help, apart from reassurance and lots of cuddles, is to give Scullcap & Valerian Tablets at a dosage of 1 tablet per 5kgs bodyweight twice a day. Scullcap and Valerian Tablets for dogs helps anxiety and stress, so it will help her to feel more calm and relaxed, and she will be noticeably less fretful and worried by the condition.
Find out more about how veterinary herbal supplements can help your dog by getting in touch with our friendly team on 01308 897272 or use our contact form. Plus, get free UK delivery on orders over £50.
Please remember, you should consult a vet if your bitch does seem not herself after a season. There are other life-threatening conditions such as pyometra, which can develop very quickly, so it is always best to get her checked out by a veterinary professional.
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Evening Primrose Oil Capsules For Dogs And Cats FROM: £12.90
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107 thoughts on "How You Can Help Your Dog Through a Phantom Pregnancy"
My dog is having a phantom pregnancy and I need something to give it but I don’t want to buy anything for it and she doesn’t like tablets do you have any foods or liquids I could give her????
Hi Penny, If she is showing first signs of season then it is best to give the Raspberry Leaf Tablets now for 12 weeks. You can crush these tablets into a powder and mix it into the food if she wont take tablets. If it’s too late for Raspberry Leaf Tablets, to help with the symptoms of a phantom pregnancy we would recommend the Urtica Urens 3C to help dry up the milk and the Pulsatilla 15C to address general phantom symptoms and help her feel more herself. These are homoeopathic pillules that are much smaller than tablets. If you’d like more information and advice do give one of our product advisors a call on 01308 897272- The Dorwest Team
Hi I think my dog is having a phantom pregnancy. She is acting strange, she’s nesting and scratting material up. Her boobs have filled with milk.
Would this beable to cause her a fit as tonight she had one and I took her straight to the emergency vets and they said her boobs could be down to having a phantom/ silent season.
Hi Katie, To help with the symptoms of a phantom pregnancy we would recommend the Urtica Urens 3C to help dry up the milk and the Pulsatilla 15C to address general phantom symptoms and help her feel more herself. For future use, you may want to introduce the Raspberry Leaf as soon as she comes into season to help prevent a phantom or lessen the severity. Unfortunately we would not be able to determine whether her phantom pregnancy has caused her to have a fit, and is something to discuss further with your vet. The Dorwest Team
My west highland puppies is only 10 months old had first season in April now carrying around toy aggressive to make puppies and nesting what can I do
Hello Sharleen, we are sorry to hear that your puppy is going through this. It seems that she is going through a phantom pregnancy which is why she will be showing signs of nesting and confusion. The only herbal product to help her would be our Scullcap & Valerian Tablets which will help keep her calm and take the edge off, hopefully reducing the aggression. It will help her to feel more calm and relaxed, and she will be noticeably less fretful and worried by the condition. If you’d like more help or advice do give us a call on 01308 897272- The Dorwest Team
Hi
My dog is going through a phantom pregnancy. She has had her heat in March/April time. She is nesting, has behavioural issues for a good week or so now & whilst at the vet, today, she is lactating. She is territorial & so sleepy & just generally not her usual fun self. The vet has given me medicine for her to stop this, but I think I’d rather do it as natural as possible. Is there any advice you could give?
Many thanks
Hi Colleen, we are sorry to hear that you girl is going through a phantom. We have two products which can help. The first is Pulsatilla 15C which is a homoeopathic remedy to help with the symptoms following a phantom. The second is Urtica Urens 3C which helps to reduce milk production. If you would like further help or advice do give us a call on 01308 897272 and one of our advisors will be happy to assist you 🙂 The Dorwest Team
Hi,
my 2 year old lurcher who is usually very excitable and active and tends to lounge on the sofa has suddenly become quite & withdrawn and taken to her bed which is under the stairs (quiet and out of the way) whilst stroking her, she started crying and moving away from me (something she has not done before) i took her to the vet who examined her and said nothing wrong with her, she is just over reactive. Initially i thought this amusing and thought she was just being a Diva; however a week on and she is still the same – looks very sad & miserable and is worrying me. She has taken all her toys to her bed and appears to be nesting, She was spayed a year ago – could she be having a phantom pregnancy? TA
Hi Tracey. As we are not vets we are unable to diagnose, so you would need to go to your vet for a diagnosis. It may be worth considering giving Scullcap and Valerian Tablets to help her to settle and reduce any anxiety or tension that she may be experiencing. You could also consider giving Evening Primrose Oil as it helps to stabilise hormonal imbalances. If she is confirmed as having a phantom pregnancy you could give Pulsatilla 15C to help support her. Do give us a call on 01308 897272 for more advice. Hope this helps- The Dorwest Team
Hi my 2 year chihuahua had her 1st heavy season almost 2 months ago! This last 7 days she’s hardly eaten, she’s crying a lot also and taking her dolly around different rooms! How long will this last as I’m worried about her not eating! Thanks Jan
Hi Jan, we are sorry to hear this. The best way to help, apart from reassurance and lots of cuddles, is to give Scullcap & Valerian Tablets at a dosage of 1 tablet per 5kgs bodyweight twice a day. Scullcap and valerian for dogs reduces anxiety and stress, so it will help her to feel more calm and relaxed, and she will be noticeably less fretful and worried by the condition. If you are concerned do speak to your vet or give us a call on 01308 897272 and one of our advisors will be able help- The Dorwest Team
Hi
I had my 8 month old, shitzu spayed last Tues.
She did go thru 1 heat very early at 5 months.
He hemorrhaged in the OR, was given IV, etc & I was able to bring her home by 430.
However as I was almost home, she went very quiet in the car & hemorrhaged again…a lot.
Treatment done again for her, glued incision line & pressure drsg applied.
Her incision is perfect now.
But I noticed the day after her surgery that her tears were very swollen & hard.
I took her back to vet x2, psuedo pregnancy.
She seems so sad, lost, hides in weird places, cries & is not eating…I feel so badly for her, but don’t know how to help her…
Any ideas or guidance would be welcome.
Thanks, Karen.
Hello Karen, we’re very sorry to hear your Shih Tzu’s been struggling lately. As she is currently in a phantom pregnancy we would recommend our Homoeopathic remedy Pulsatilla 15C for the general phantom symptoms and help her feel more herself. You can also introduce the Evening Primrose Oil to maintain a normal hormonal balance, that can otherwise affect behaviour. If you’d like more advice do give us a call on 01308 897272. The Dorwest Team
My mini wire dachshund started her season a few days ago and she is bleeding a lot more than previously (she is 2 years and this is her third season). Is there anything I can give her to reduce the bleeding?
Hello Eva, unfortunately we do not have products in our range that will help reduce the bleeding, however it would be something that we suggest to seek advice from your vet, in case of any underlying issues. The Dorwest Team