The pseudopregnancy takes place in the cyclic phase of the Diestrus instead of. Diestrus is the phase in the menstrual cycle that occurs after heat. If you want to know more about the dog cycle, then see here over. Diestrus takes place regardless of whether the bitch has been mated or not and lasts about 63 days. 

In the cycle of the bitch we distinguish between the false pregnancy and the bogus motherhood. Two hormones determine each of these two phases and influence the behavior of our bitch accordingly. On the one hand, false pregnancy and false motherhood are one of the coolest things that nature has come up with. In order to support a pregnant bitch in the family unit, non-pregnant bitches also become pseudopregnant. This is a definite fitness benefit. Fitness is not to be understood in the sense of sport, but in the biological sense of adaptation. "Survival of the fittest" or in German "survival of the fittest", as it is called in Darwinism. This is often a complicated process for domesticated bitches and many bitches suffer from false pregnancy and motherhood. However, sometimes the dog person suffers more than the dog does. Smaller breeds are more affected than larger breeds. But as is so often the case, hormonal changes are very individual. If you want to learn more about aids during heat and pseudopregnancy, take a look this blog (blog to follow) over. 

false pregnancy

In the case of a false pregnancy, the bitch goes through a hormonal one Pseudoschwangerschafteven though she is not pregnant. The pseudopregnancy lasts just as long as a pregnancy, so approx. 63 Take. The corpus luteum hormone is responsible for this because the corpus luteums continue to release progesterone even after ovulation. 

Progesterone is a sex hormone. It is responsible for the origin and maintenance of pregnancy. Progesterone is detectable in the blood from the first day of the estrus phase. Progesterone peaks after ice clogs (bitches have several). If the bitch is not pregnant, progesterone levels will drop with diestrus. 

behavior

Progesterone affects behavior positive on the bitch. The bitch is looking good social contacts, is cuddly and in general calmer. As in a normal pregnancy, the bitch becomes more clingy and seeks closeness to her family members. This makes perfect sense because a pregnant bitch in the family unit needs the protection and closeness of family members for a successful pregnancy. Pseudo-pregnant bitches would mainly support a pregnant bitch socially. This has to do with the fact that progesterone is a calming effect to ideally prepare the bitch's body for pregnancy. It also inhibits milk production and generally prepares the bitch's body for pregnancy. Progesterone generally favors a positive mood and Increases well-being. As soon as the bitch's progesterone level drops during diestrus (in non-pregnant bitches), the bitch's general well-being thus decreases. At the same time, the hormone prolactin increases in the bitch. 

symptoms

• girth increase
• attachment
• Increased need to eat or loss of appetite

bogus motherhood

When the hormone progesterone goes down, the hormone prolactin goes up. In the bogus motherhood the hormone prolactin causes changes in the bitch. she finds approx. 2 months after estrus (standing heat) instead of. Prolactin is also known colloquially as the “parent hormone” and lasts for 2-4 weeks. The bitch develops real mother feelings without having puppies. This is quite typical in their behavior.  

Prolactin includes the Latin part lac = milk. It ensures, among other things, that the glandular tissue of the udder grows and stimulates milk production (lactation).

behavior Once progesterone drops, it can cause a bitch to become depressed.  The bitch may want to no longer leave their homes, afraid to leave "the puppies" alone. This is natural behavior and you should not encourage your bitch unnecessarily, but show understanding and offer distraction activities. Since there are no real puppies during the sham motherhood, the bitch is looking for herself replacement puppies, mainly stuffed animals, but also smaller animals (cats, smaller dogs) have to serve at this point. In the case of replacement puppies, but also other resources, there can be stronger resource defense. In addition, the bitch shows so-called nesting behavior. Nest-building behavior is behavior in which the bitch mainly stays around her nest, i.e. mostly around the berth, and carries all objects to it. Scratching, vigorous circling around the berth and similar behaviors mark using the Glands on the paws their own place. The bitch can appear bitchy or unpredictable to humans because their moods fluctuate. This is all natural behavior encouraged by the increase in the hormone prolactin and nothing to worry about.  symptoms Swollen nipples milk production Fiep Tremble panting mood swings Reduced general condition

Pseudo-pregnancy and false motherhood are not diseases! They belong to an intact bitch. Changes in behavior (including negative ones) are normal and hormonally favored. These changes twice a year are not a reason for neutering. 2-3 opinions from veterinarians should only be included if there is a clear level of suffering or medical relevance (uterine suppuration) that cannot be regulated (e.g. through hormone-regulating medicinal plants or medication).

Every cycle a new chance

Each cycle of the bitch is individual. An intensive fake motherhood in the current cycle does not have to indicate a bad course in the next cycle. The fact is: false pregnancy and false motherhood are not diseases! It is an evolutionarily stable remnant. If the bitch is only slightly bruised, there is no need to worry. If the symptoms become intense, action can be taken. Bitches can be supported with aids at the beginning of heat in order to regulate severe symptoms and behavioral changes of pseudopregnancy and motherhood. We would always recommend that you evaluate all options for support and not make any hasty decisions regarding castration or spaying. However, we will go into more detail on these connections in another blog (blog will follow). You can find out what support you can offer your bitch during heat and pseudopregnancy in this blog (blog to follow). 

If severe symptoms of false pregnancy or false motherhood occur regularly after the heat, then you should have it examined by a veterinarian. The risk of the following diseases could be increased:

• Inflammation of the udder due to engorgement
• ovarian cysts
• uterine suppuration
• Mammary tumors (growths in the mammary gland)

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