Shooting UK

From guns and gundogs to the latest shooting news; the complete online network for the British shooting community.

Can you help my dog with its phantom pregnancy?

Can you help my dog with its phantom pregnancy?

The symptoms of a phantom pregnancy may be so slight the owner may not even notice.


By Paul Rawlings

Sunday, 29 July 2007

My two-year-old working bitch is experiencing phantom pregnancies. The vet prescribed her some expensive medication, which yielded some improvement. What is the best course of action for a bitch going through this trauma?

A:

It is natural and very common for bitches to show some degree of false pregnancy, perhaps producing a great deal of milk.

The symptoms may be so slight that the owner may not even notice.

However, there may be a mood change, loss of appetite, digging up the carpet, carrying round toys or just being completely miserable.

It is also true bitches that have never had a season do not suffer from false pregnancies, so many vets will advise bitches be spayed that are suffering severe symptoms, which are likely to worsen with each subsequent season.

Spaying does have side effects in some instances, such as weight gain or urinary incontinence, but both of these are treatable.

The side effects of the more severe symptoms of false pregnancy can be life-threatening, however, such as mammary cancer. Consult your vet for more advice regarding this condition and whether surgery is advisable.


CompPrevious
Can you tell me about keepers' licences?

Can you tell me about keepers' licences?

A:Obviously, if you use a shotgun and/or a rifle y...


Guns

Ruger M77/22 rimfire sporter rifle review

Ruger M77/22 rimfire sporter rifle review

Ruger M77/22 rimfire sporter rifle review: The Ruger M77/22 rifle has ... Read more


More in Guns...


Sporting Answers

Scope with a bullet drop

Scope with a bullet drop

Q) I want to buy a rifle scope, but require one with some form... Read more


More in Sporting Answers...


News

RSPB unveils new report into wild bird predation

Missing property

The RSPB has published a new report, entitled The Predation of Wild Bi... Read more


More in News...



Comments

Shooting Times Magazine

What's in this issue?

Don't miss our partridge and duck special in this week's Shooting Times (on sale Wednesday 1st September).
Plus, how to save money on feed on your shoot and as his Labrador nears the end of her pregnancy, Tony Jackson gets ready for the new arrivals. For all this and much more get down to your newsagents today!

Subscribe to magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!


Latest articles

BASC submits evidence to Parliament

BASC submits evidence to Parliament

After submitting written recommendations to the HASC, BASC see... Read more


Firearms control: deadline for submissions extended

Firearms control: deadline for submissions extended

Shooting community crashes Westminster computers as deadline for firea... Read more


More in Latest articles...


Subscribe to Shooting Times

Shooting Gazette Magazine

Save up to 30% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today!