False Canine Pregnancy or Pseudocyesis

False pregnancy in the bitch occurs when she produces both physical and psychological change. The bitch will often produce milk, engage in nesting activity and look like she's pregnant. It's amusingly sad to see the affected dog try to persuade a stuffed animal to nurse! These visible changes take place beginning about 4 weeks after the heat cycle begins (estrus) and can continue for a number of weeks. False pregnancies are always unpredictable and can show up whether or not a mating has occurred. Often so much milk is produced the bitch becomes uncomfortable. Once a bitch has had a false pregnancy she's likely to be afflicted again.

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