Our dog is having a phantom pregnancy..... need advice please :)

[pucca]

Our dog started acting a bit odd on Thurs night, lying down at the side of the sofa and just had a funny one on her since. I was starting to get a little concerned but have now realised she has a pretend pup, the object is ........

A whoopee cushion!

Her last season was Sept (ish) so now would be around the time she would have given birth if pregnant, we are going to get her spayed, just haven't had the money or got around to it yet.

So can anyone tell me how long this will last? and any other advice would be most appreciated, i am a little worried in regards to the kids around her as she is being very protective, so we have moved her into the conservatory with her bed and quilt. The conservatory can be shut off from the house so safer all around.

Thankyou

[pucca]

bump

[WorzselMincepieYummage]

Oh how sweet

No advice atall though, i've only ever had Boys.

[CornBreadQueen]

pucca my mom is a breeder and the same thing would happen a lot with her dogs. my dog actually got really attached to a mini tennis ball and would even bark with it in her mouth . they go through false pregnancies because it's something that wolves do in the wild. all the females in the pack think they're pregnant-except for the alpha female who actually is pregnant- so that they can all nurse the puppies for the alpha.

it won't last long probably a few weeks at most. maybe when she's outside for a wee you can move the whoopee cushion (hehe) and hide it? she'll look for it and will seem depressed but just keep her company and she'll soon forget about it

[beautifulgirls]

They will come out of it on their own usually, but if she is having quiet extreme behavioural issues that are stressful for her (and you!) then the vets will be able to prescribe a medication that can help to stop things sooner. Definately worth speying her after this as she is liable to have these happen in the future and other potential issues longer term too. Good luck with her - hope she has a better Christmas

[pucca]

Thanks you very much for replying, i have no idea about this at all.

It is quite sweet, but she will hardly leave her bed, and ran up to the cat quite agressively earlier on which did worry me a bit.

Is hiding it the best thing to do? or will it upset her very much, she seems quite subdued, and seems to have gone off her food a bit too.

We will definately get her "done" before her next season which is about March.

[AaliyahsFirstXmas]

I wouldn't hide it.
Just keep her company and let her ride it out. The aggression towards the cat is cos its threatening her "young"

Get her done ASAP. You can get vouchers now.

[pucca]

Whats the vouchers? We are not on any benefits so wouldn't get any help towards the cost, have been "quoted" £100 - "150

[AaliyahsFirstXmas]

you can get vouchers that will give you money off if you aren't on benefits. I think the PDSA give them out but it could be someone else.

If you are on benefits then the PDSA will pay for the whole thing.

[pucca]

Oh right i never knew that, i knew that you can get help with neutering cats but didn't think you could get any help with dogs.

Thanks very much, will look into, as the whole reason we haven't had her done so far is just the cost really, alot of money to lay out that we can't really afford, but this phantom pregnancy does justify doing it asap, added to the mess when she is in season

[jingleMAMADIVAsbells]

Our springer does this all the bloody time.

She leaks milk and carries around a scooby doo teddy everywhere with her, if you take it from her she cries

We took her to the vet and he put her on something can't remember the name it's my mums dog, but she has a hormone inbalance not sure of technicalities but yes you don't have to get her done but if it gets worse I would.

All you can do with Phantom pregnancies is sit it out really I'm afraid.

[pucca]

I cannot find anything about vouchers unless i was on benefits, which i thought was the case.

[AaliyahsFirstXmas]

Oh I wonder whether I've just read it about cats then. I always thought you could get them for dogs as well. sorry

[pucca]

Oh nevermind, thankyou for trying to help

[NutterlyUts]

If you go to the vet and get her checked, they can put her on galastop to clear up any milk, and bring her out the phantom pregnancy, then she can be spayed in a week to 10days. Its worth ringing and asking if you can pay on credit, as many vets are open to this, especially if you pay some money (even £10) before the op

A bitch prone to phantom pregnancy in which she shows actual signs like nesting and milk, is essentially short circuiting during her breeding cycle, and becomes more prone to pyometra (literally pus in the metrius, or womb) caused by her cervix not closing as it should. Pyo's are a huge health risk, and its not uncommon to lose a bitch with one. They can be totally prevented by spaying. If your not planning to breed your bitch, then spaying is the sensible option

[JingleBellaAllTheWay]

RSPCA used to (I'm sure they still do) operate a voucher scheme with selected vets for neutering. Dogs Trust will also help with vet fees in cases of financial hardship.

Good luck & hope she's okay x

[whispywhisp]

The RSPCA run a voucher scheme for those on benefits. Same applies to PDSA. I personally think its incredibly unfair that those not on benefits get no financial help with bills like this because, at the end of the day, organisations such as the RSPCA/PDSA would like everyone to get their animals neutered/spayed to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies/puppies etc.

My young dog had a phantom just after her season a few months ago. Yes there are risks involved with phantoms - pyometra being the main one which can prove fatal if not picked up early enough. To get my dog spayed cost £150. I didn't have the money either but we somehow managed to scrape it together and paid some with cash and some on a credit card. My previous dog - a beautiful labrador - also had a phantom which did develop into a pyometra...and we had no choice but to have her spayed immediately.

I would definitely suggest you go and talk to your vet - say you want to get her spayed ASAP but can't afford to do it - I'm sure they would, in the interests of the dog, create a financial arrangement for you.