Pseudocyesis in Cats and Dogs
False Pregnancy
False pregnancy is a condition in which a female exhibits
behavior that resembles pregnancy. This is caused by the influence
of hormones produced by the ovaries. During false pregnancy, the
female seems restless and tends to "mother" toys, shoes,
or other articles. She may attempt to build a nest with torn paper
or blankets. Her abdomen may seem larger than normal, and the
mammary glands may actually produce milk.
Treatment
In most animals, no treatment is necessary, because the affected female will "cycle" out of the false pregnancy on her own. This may take as long as 2 months. Surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus (spaying) may be advisable in females that have severe or repeated false pregnancies. If your pet's mammary glands become large and painful, application of alternating warm and cold compresses 3 to 4 times daily usually relieves the discomfort. You can also feed one half the normal amount of food for 2 days to reduce milk production. If she is still having pain after 2 days, contact your veterinarian. Also notify your veterinarian if there is discharge of blood or fluid from your pet's vagina or if she is depressed for more than 2 days.
Notify your veterinarian if any of the following occur:
What is false pregnancy?
False pregnancy (pseudocyesis) is the display of maternal behavior and physical signs of pregnancy by a nonpregnant female dog (bitch) or cat (queen). The condition is common in dogs and rare in cats.
What causes false pregnancy?
The underlying cause of false pregnancy is understood poorly. All bitches that ovulate remain under the influence of the hormone progesterone for approximately 2 to 3 months. The progesterone concentration is similar whether the animal is pregnant, is not pregnant and not showing signs of false pregnancy, or is having a false pregnancy. Progesterone is a female hormone that maintains pregnancy and causes mammary development. If the animal is pregnant, the concentration of progesterone declines sharply about 1 to 2 days before delivery. The concentration of another hormone, prolactin, increases. Prolactin is the hormone that stimulates milk production. It is thought that the dropping progesterone levels and the increase in prolactin in animals that are not pregnant may be responsible for the changes seen with false pregnancy. In other words, false pregnancy probably is an exaggerated response to normal female hormones.
Animals treated with progesterone for conditions not related to false pregnancy may have signs of false pregnancy when the progesterone-containing medication is discontinued. If an animal undergoes an ovariohysterectomy (spay) during the time when progesterone levels are high, the sudden drop in progesterone following surgery may cause false pregnancy.
What are the signs of false pregnancy?
The signs of false pregnancy include behavior changes (such as nesting, mothering activity, restlessness, and self-nursing), abdominal distension, and enlargement of the mammary glands. Some pets may vomit or have depression, poor appetite, and signs of labor (rare). The mammary glands are enlarged. A brownish, thin, watery fluid or milk may be secreted by the mammary glands.
How is false pregnancy diagnosed?
The diagnosis of false pregnancy is made by a history of a heat cycle (estrus) within the preceding 2 to 3 months of presentation to the veterinarian and the clinical signs of pregnancy. A physical examination will be done; the veterinarian will feel the abdomen (palpation). The veterinarian may want to take radiographs (X-rays) or perform ultrasound (visualization of deep body structures by ultrasonic waves) to rule out normal pregnancy or infection of the uterus as a cause of the signs.
How is false pregnancy treated?
Treatment of false pregnancy usually is not necessary. It is important to realize that false pregnancy is a normal phenomenon in intact female dogs. It can be seen in cats. No association has been found between false pregnancy and reproductive abnormalities. It may be helpful to minimize stimulation of the mammary glands to prevent the flow of milk (lactation). Self-nursing or licking the mammary glands can be prevented by use of an Elizabethan collar.
Hormones can be given to suppress the secretion of prolactin, a hormone that may be responsible for initiating the changes seen in animals with false pregnancy. Other drugs may be prescribed to decrease milk production. Recurrence of false pregnancy is prevented by ovariohysterectomy (spay). It is advisable that surgery be performed after the heat cycle and signs of false pregnancy have resolved.
What is the prognosis for animals with false pregnancy?
The prognosis (outcome) for animals with false pregnancy is
good. False pregnancy is not a disease; it is a normal response
to female hormones. While the animal's behavior may be frustrating
to the pet guardian, the condition resolves in most animals in
2 to 3 weeks without treatment. However, false pregnancy can develop
during subsequent heat cycles.
The information on this page was obtained from the site www.vetmedcenter.com