False Pregnancy and no appetite

[CrisK]

Hi Friends,

Gypsy is almost 11 months old and is going through a false pregnancy. She is overall normal, but today she refused to eat her breakfast. She is a really good eater like most dogs, she will be done with her meal and lick the bottom of the bowl in less than 5 minutes. I am wondering is lack of appetite is a result of what she's going through now. I took her to the vet last week and they said she was perfect, and we just needed to wait this out. I am not sure. She is also starting to stand in front of the glass door and look out for a long time. I try to break her out of that, but she goes right back.

What has your experience be? How long does this last? I know false pregnancies are pretty common.

Thank you!

 

[Ddski5]

I am of no help but very interested in this situation. I have a 8.5month female.

Please keep us updated.

 

[Ravenbird]

My dog went through a false pregnancy on her first heat at 8 months old. I went exactly like a real pregnancy, count the days from end of cycle to whelping & she was getting swollen teats & vulva, then she obsessed on a toy in her bed etc etc. I was advised to remove all toys, feed her less (she never lost her appetite at all), keep her on the thin side, and keep working her in her lessons or obedience for distraction from her condition. Her 2nd heat went completely normal. Now she's having her 3rd cycle and again not "normal", this time it was a split heat - about 10 days in & stopped, then 10 days later started again and is looking "normal". I'm just rolling with it, what else to do? I'd watch Gypsy for continued lack of appetite, that sounds opposite of a false pregnancy.

 

[CrisK]

thanks for the feedback! Gypsy is even lactating. I read somewhere that I should feed her less to curb milk production. I reduced it just a little. She perked up at the end of the day and we even went to her first obedience group class - which was a success, unlike the one we tried last December.
She seems a bit clingier too, which is a new thing for her. I wonder if that is related. Oh the things I never expected to deal with by owning a female

 

[GennyB]

False pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) is pretty common. in fact some Vets believe every bitch has a false pregnancy after every cycle. It's just a matter of how severe the the symptoms are.
The loss of appetite is pretty common due to fluid retention. The lactating could bring on mastitis or even future mammary cancer. There are medications to stop the lactation. You can swap warm and cool compresses to stop it also. Some bitches will lick their teats to stimulate milk production for the pups she thinks she is going to have. Obviously you want to put a stop to that. And of course watch for signs of pyometra.
Another important thing to remember there are other things that can stimulate a false pregnancy. Not a bad idea to have a Vet check to verify that is in fact what is going on.

 

[CrisK]

It didn't even occur to me to do something about the lactation! Thank you @GennyB! My vet said we should just waited out and he hasn't seen a false pregnancy in many years and couldn't give me more information without researching it himself. I have noticed that she will lick the milk off.