Veterinary: It is one of the best known problems, especially among female owners, and which worries the most together with the dreaded pyometra. Let's see what causes hysterical pregnancy and how it is possible to combat the problem.
The foundations of hysterical pregnancy are laid during diestrus. This is the period following estrus and can be at least of two types: gravidic, in the case in which the fertile bitch has become pregnant and non-pregnant. It is a rather long phase, which lasts about 70 days and during which progesterone is the master. It is precisely the diestrus that is so long (a typicality of canine species that differ from many other animals in this) and therefore high levels of progesterone for long periods that can cause problems for bitches that do not reproduce. The problem we are analyzing today is scientifically called pseudociesis, but it is more commonly known as hysterical pregnancy. Those who define the situation as a disease are wrong, given that being linked to the physicality of the animal and the high levels of progesterone produced during diestrus, it is completely natural for females.
Physical changes during diestrus
There are several: twenty days after the heat, in fact, the bitches notice an enlargement of the mammary glands which in some cases corresponds to the production of whey or milk. Much rarer is a suspicious change in the animal's behavior.
In rare cases it is possible to witness the preparation of a den, the attempt to breastfeed, the morbid care of games, preferably sound and that recall the lament of the new born. In some cases the bitch is also shown to be quite aggressive. All this without her being really pregnant. The high progesterone during diestrus causes the maintenance of the corpus luteum: this breaks down after eight weeks if the female is expecting a litter, even after twelve weeks if she has not become pregnant. With this break occurs a drop in progesterone and an increase in prolactin for milk production. It is this hormone that causes, among other things, those behavioral changes that are commonly called maternal instinct.
Therefore, when we talk about hysterical pregnancy we are not referring to a pathology, or to an unusual situation. All females who have not become pregnant are faced with a condition of this type: only in some the symptoms are more or less severe and conspicuous than in others.
Among the urban legends to dispel is that of the need for at least one litter for the female suffering from these severe symptoms. Since hysterical pregnancy is linked to completely natural hormonal changes for dogs, a real pregnancy will in no way solve the problem.
Solutions
There are some attentions that can greatly improve the situation of a female suffering from hysterical pregnancies.
- Exercise and hours in the open air: they are able to limit the symptoms mentioned above.
- No to games. Especially to avoid the sound ones, which can remind the animal of a puppy. In any case it is good to eliminate all games in which the bitch shows a morbid interest.
- Lower calorie intake. This will prevent milk production.
If, on the other hand, the production of milk becomes abundant or if the bitch begins to suck her nipples, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian. You could be faced with mastitis and in that case drug therapy will be required.
Sterilization
More and more females are subjected to surgical sterilization. Obviously, like any solution, it offers advantages but also disadvantages. Certainly it is recommended to those who are not able, by time or by chance, to manage an entire female, to those who do not intend to suspend the hunting activity of their auxiliary on a regular basis and in the event that the dog suffers from some pathologies that long can become disabling.