The psychological pregnancy in dogs is more common than thinks she, happens in more than 50% of female dogs no castrated. Besides the psychological alterations, she causes physical alterations also.
It happens due to hormonal alterations capable to influence the behavior and the development of mammary tissues. That happens when there is a fall of the hormone progesterone, present in the rut. When the female dog is to give birththe progesterone level falls, what stimulates the production of the prolactin, that acts in the mammary tissue activating the production of milk and causing the maternal behavior.
It is common the female dogs present the psychological pregnancy after the castration, if accomplished up to 3 months after the beginning of the rut. With the retreat of the ovaries, responsible for the progesterone production, there are interruption of the production of that hormone and liberation of the prolactin.
The signs of the psychological pregnancy are: the animal scrapes the corners of the house; he protects an area or object; he is anxious or crying and appetite lack.
To interrupt that behavior it can be used medicines that inhibit the prolactin production. They make to interrupt the production of milk and the maternal behavior quickly. Otherwise, the pregnancy finish in 2 weeks.
To remove the objects that the animal adopted as nestling during that period can increase the anxiety and to stimulate compulsive behaviors or until turning him aggressive.
The increase of the mammas is normal and the produced milk ends being absorbed by the organism, but it sometimes happens inflammation of the mammary glands, appearing pits, pain and red skin. Therefore, consulting a veterinarian.
Vet Therapy – Dr. Cynara Campanati
