Phantom pregnancy/hormonal imbalance??

JanetGeorge

JanetGeorge

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 June 2001
Messages
7,006
Location
Shropshire/Worcs. borders
www.horseandhound.co.uk
I was SO careful with one of my 10 month old JRx puppies when she came into her first season and I'm 99% sure she wasn't 'got at'! BUT, her father is a very clever chap and there was one night when he DID manage to be alone with her - unsupervised - for less than an hour. (He hadn't shown ANY interest in her!)

But when she went out of season, her vulva didn't subside - and since then she's put on weight and showed some development of the mammary region! Vet scanned her 3 weeks ago and couldn't see anything - and suggested it weas probably a phantom pregnancy - but it STILL hasn't 'subsided'! If she IS pregnant, she'd be due in about 2 weeks. She's VERY tubby - and teats are swollen (though no sign of milk) - and she regularly tries to hump her sister!:rolleyes:

Vet is coming to see a horse tomorrow and I've asked him to bring the scanner for another check. I have NEVER bred a dog - and certainly didn't plan to right now, particularly to her father - but what do you more experienced dog people think. Does this sound like a 'phantom' pregnancy?? What the hell do I do if it's not!
 
Unfortunately an hour is more than enough, though I would have thought you would have seen some signs, or possibly heard a squeak from her. Optimum time for scanning is 28 days, and it sounds as if she was done around that time so I would have expected vet to spot if there were pups. Having said that vets are not the best at scanning bitches ime, if you can find a sheep scanner locally they are usually a better bit.
It could be a phantom, although they dont usually show signs all through the "pregnancy" as your girls seems to be doing. Hopefully a second scan will put your mind at rest, if not the only advice I can give is to get yourself a copy of "The Book of the Bitch", which will tell you all you need to know. She is pretty young though so I would keep a close eye on her if she is in whelp.
 
If it's not at this ppoint you have the option of getting her spayed and essentially terminating the pups, or having the pups with associated risks-totally up to yourself!
 
MurphysMinder said:
Unfortunately an hour is more than enough, though I would have thought you would have seen some signs, or possibly heard a squeak from her. Optimum time for scanning is 28 days, and it sounds as if she was done around that time so I would have expected vet to spot if there were pups. Having said that vets are not the best at scanning bitches ime, if you can find a sheep scanner locally they are usually a better bit.
It could be a phantom, although they dont usually show signs all through the "pregnancy" as your girls seems to be doing. Hopefully a second scan will put your mind at rest, if not the only advice I can give is to get yourself a copy of "The Book of the Bitch", which will tell you all you need to know. She is pretty young though so I would keep a close eye on her if she is in whelp.
Click to expand...

My vet is more at home scanning mares, but he DID scan a friend's bitch (who was legitimately pregnant) and counted 6 pups - and was right! I'm hoping she's not, because obviously she shouldn't be in pup to her father! And while there is a new drug which can be used - apparently - at any stage to terminate, I'm a bit concerned about THAT!

She was in the room with me (I was asleep) when her Dad managed to open the door and join us - but there wasn't a sound from either of them and she was fast asleep when I woke up (because her father was parked on my shoulder!) And she's MUCH more nervous than her sister - I'm sure she WOULD have reacted - and her sister is a noisy little **** - she probably would have 'barracked' any interesting action loudly!

I've got EVERYTHING crossed! (My husband has already said we don't WANT any more puppies!:rolleyes:)
 
MurphysMinder said:
Well unless you are a very heavy sleeper, or her dad is a stealth expert it does sound unlikely. What day of season was she on when this happened?
Click to expand...

Dad IS very canny (he's sired 3 litters - all legitimate - so far)! But I wake up VERY easily (sadly)! I'm not sure exactly what day, she'd stopped bleeding 6 days before (I think) but it wasn't a very noticeable season!

Benny had shown NO interest - before or after! He'd had an implant 10 months ago and his testicles are STILL much smaller than before that - so I wondered if it was hanging on in there! But then he totally ignored Trish's mother on the day her owner (an experienced dog breeder) was SURE she was ready - and did the business 2 days later! :rolleyes:
 
Fingers crossed they did not mate, but as for (what would you do question) well I would terminate, small young bitch possible higher risk of C section and her possibly rejecting as very immature and then the father daughter thing (not the end of the world) but not ideal.
We terminate rescues very late in pregnancy if they come in pregnant, might not be what folk want to hear (but it's our/my choice) although this is not the same scenario given age, smaller breed and dad mating I would do the same and abort and spay. Infact I would spay/abort even if it was a normal low risk mating (but thats just me) :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top