bitch aggression after phantom pregnancy

[Errin Paddywack]

My friend's younger TM is unusual for her breed in that she comes in season twice a year instead of once. Is now on I think her third phantom pregnancy. She had started being very guardy in the evening when she settled in the hall and didn't want to move to let my friend go to bed. She found ways round that so no problem. Then with this phantom she became aggressive in the evening at bedtime, again ways round this were found. Then it progressed to aggression in the morning too and hasn't gone away. She was making milk for about 11 weeks but has now stopped, the behaviour hasn't. Outside of these times she is her usual loving self that my friend can do literally anything with. The dog obviously adores her but when in the aggressive phase she wants to kill her. She is going to have her spayed but the vets have said she has to wait for two months after the milk dries up so as to wait for the hormones to settle. She doesn't want to get her done as she is now because she is afraid she will be locked into this behaviour. If left too long though she risks another season.
To meet this dog out and about you would never believe she could behave like this. Softest thing and great with other dogs. At the moment she is having to keep the dogs separated by use of pens a good part of the time as otherwise the older dog gest attacked, her own fault because she eyeballs her, again fine when out. She has tried her on valerian but to no effect. She doesn't believe in chemicals, only natural stuff. I suggested delvosterone to prevent her coming in season to give her a bit of leeway on spaying but that didn't go down well.
Anyone got any other suggestions?

 

[quizzie]

Might be worth trying a course of Galastop.....Normally it is used to stop the milk production, but also helps with behavioural changes. Unlikely to have any adverse effects.

 

[Dobiegirl]

Is this a Tibetan Mastiff? I also think Galastop is the answer though being chemical I dont think your friend will agree but I certainly think she needs to see a vet because that dog will be in a lot of discomfit.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Friend would do best to seek vet advice and follow it. She can hardly have the dog spayed without chemicals.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

She has seen the vet. Their recommendation was to wait two months after she stopped making milk before spaying her. Hope is that she will settle down but she has shown no sign of it. No milk now but behaviour unchanged. We looked up Galastop but since she has now stopped making milk we don't think it would help. She might be going to try CBD oil to see if that will calm her. Such a shame as she is a lovely dog normally. Been round here today as usual no problem, gets on well with my dogs and me.

 

[Clodagh]

I wonder if it might be not directly connected to the seasons now and she is just guarding something or being insecure? No expert mind.

 

[SkylarkAscending]

Ah I was waiting for someone to suggest this is an inherent personality issue rather than a hormonal thing

 

[quizzie]

She has seen the vet. Their recommendation was to wait two months after she stopped making milk before spaying her. Hope is that she will settle down but she has shown no sign of it. No milk now but behaviour unchanged. We looked up Galastop but since she has now stopped making milk we don't think it would help. She might be going to try CBD oil to see if that will calm her. Such a shame as she is a lovely dog normally. Been round here today as usual no problem, gets on well with my dogs and me.

From Galastops own website:

What are the clinical signs of chronic pseudopregnancy?​

The clinical signs are similar to normal pseudopregnancy although behavioural changes, in particular aggression, are more common than mammary development and milk production4.

 

[quizzie]

The top three myths about pseudopregnancy in dogs

With the misconceptions surrounding pseudopregnancy, it is important to examine the evidence to manage physical and behavioural signs

www.veterinary-practice.com

 

[Clodagh]

The top three myths about pseudopregnancy in dogs

With the misconceptions surrounding pseudopregnancy, it is important to examine the evidence to manage physical and behavioural signs

www.veterinary-practice.com

That was very interesting. Thank you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

She has seen the vet. Their recommendation was to wait two months after she stopped making milk before spaying her. Hope is that she will settle down but she has shown no sign of it. No milk now but behaviour unchanged. We looked up Galastop but since she has now stopped making milk we don't think it would help. She might be going to try CBD oil to see if that will calm her. Such a shame as she is a lovely dog normally. Been round here today as usual no problem, gets on well with my dogs and me.

If the dog were mine, I would take her back to the vet and ask their advice for dealing with the resultant behaviour while waiting for the opportunity to spay. Then I would accept whatever medication was offered.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I have just sent her this article and advised vet asap. She has been concerned all along that it might become a learned behaviour and not improve after spaying. Bliss is definitely guarding, originally her imaginary puppies but now I suspect it is just area. The silly thing is that when she snaps out of it she is happy to get on the couch for a cuddle and be fussed over and when she is here she sits at my friend's feet then leans back and looks at her adoringly. Talk about split personality.