I REALLY need some advice here and Im hoping someone knows something about this.

I put up an earlier post because I was concerned that Taylor's one mammary gland was swollen. At first I thought it was a growth but my boyfriend told me not to worry so quickly and I decided to just have it checked out this next week when Trigger goes for innoculations because she has no clear signs of pain etc.

When I look at her now, ALL her glands are swollen equally and my boyfriend said he had a dog once who experienced phantom or false pregnancy after her heat cycles. Her appetite is also strangely increased and then suddenly she won't eat at all. And she is very clingy and often moody (my post about food aggression - which is something she has never displayed). and im wondering if she may be experiencing a false pregnancy?

Has anyone else had a dog that has experienced this? her nipples are getting larger by the day and developing what looks like it would be if she were pregnant. I know that she was safe during her heat...I never let her out of my sight and our yard is fully fenced and we had no male "visitors" and she was in nappies full time to protect her. And i left her inside as much as possible when i was out.

What are the chances she has a false pregnancy? Im really concerned

Here are a couple of links that you could read to see if this is what you are experiencing. It sure sounds like it to me if you are sure she was safe and not covered. Hope it helps.

http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/phantom-pregnancy-in-dogs-256218.html

http://www.helium.com/items/1517965-dog-pseudo-pregnancy-dog-pseudo-pregnancy-duration

http://www.ehow.com/how_4557874_tell-dog-having-false-pregnancy.html

Its the first time I hear about a false pregnancy. But Ciara experienced the same symptoms with her first heat. Her mammary glands went back to normal after a while (did not keep track of how long). I am not sure why this happens.

Does anyonw else have an explanation

These articles are really interesting Amoureau!!!!

Thanks I will have a look

it's only been 2 weeks since her heat cycle so perhaps it's too early to tell.

I am dead certain she was not covered. I was overly protective of her and kept her in nappies to keep her covered and even sprayed her with a spray meant to neutralise her scent in case.

I expected her to develop a little after her first heat but to me her swollen mammary glands are not right. I will just have to monitor her from here on to see if she starts showing any of the other signs mentioned in those articles. and im sure the vet will be able to shed some light on it all for me!

thanks for the articles Amoureux

I spoke to the vet and they said they can give her an injection or medication to stop it but they reccomend bringing her in for a consult first to confirm if she is going through this but it sounds to them like she is. Some cases are more extreme than others apparently.

You are welcome. Please do not give her any medication if it is no absolutely necessary it will change her heat cycle and that is not good for her at all. If she is going through a false pregnancy she will come out of it on her own time. If she is in pain you could give 2ml of baby panado pain medication.

Thanks for the advice the last vet i spoke to said the medication is not advised. the first one was very quick to suggest an injection. but then again I was talking to the receptionist who might have some experience but is not qualified.

I havent noticed any pain but if she does then I will try the baby pando medication. I would rather save a consultation fee if possible. in the articles i read it DID say they will end on their own.

the whole thing is a bit weird for me! Would it stop if she was spayed?

Yes. It will not happen again if she is spayed. These little guys can put us through our paces that is for sure.

I have always dreamed of breeding but right now I want to make sure my dogs are up to standard and that my schedule will allow for it so I might have to wait. So that is why she is not spayed yet. and to top it all off, i do not have the money at the moment to have it done so I am waiting a little while longer. I know her heat is over so she is safe and they say not to spay while a dog is experiencing a false pregnancy. so Im not rushing a decision yet.

The next 6 months are my moths to get my finances in order first. But if it is going to be an issue that affects her over and over again then I wont even hesitate to have her spayed.

They can even have milk and everything, but now babies!! It happened to me as well hehe... it's so spooky! I wander why it happends! But your little girl is also a "woman" now so that's why her nipples are coming out as well.

I've noticed with my females when they get older and their first heat, they become adult dogs in a way, like with girls I suppose!

Im HOPING it is just development but i have had dogs before that were not spayed and they never got this big and it gets a little bigger every day. first one nipple, now them all.

you say you had a dog that had it? what happened? they say the problem can go right through to the point where the dog thinks she is in labour and starts to heave and pant as if giving birth. I pray mine is a false alarm

Is this a weird question? How long does the actual mating ritual last in Yorkies? what I mean is how long do they need to mate or tie?

Im wracking my brain because I can't tell if this is a phantom pregnancy or not. I am terrified something slipped me by. I know accidents happen no matter how careful you are but I was SUPER careful. There were a few occasions when my boyfriend ignored my requests and left her outside while he was out but she was in nappies and our yard is fenced and I never had any males hanging around...not that I saw anyway. And I know that if a male got in he would more than likely have still been there when we got home.

I ask because the articles I have read say that phantom pregnancy usually happens 4 weeks after heat...it's only been 2 weeks. IF she were pregnant how soon after would she start showing enlarged mammary glands etc?

Knowing me Im probably being paranoid and she is just fine but I will NEVER forgive myself if she wasn't. She is my baby and I live and die for that dog.

This is freaky, I've never heard of dogs having phantom pregnancies and then being able to produce milk. Shame poor Taylor girl

And then they get the urge to nurse puppies and they say they will even adopt stuffed toys etc to satisfy their need! very weird to me! I hope it stays like it is and she is not pregnant or imagining it! what a disaster that would be. I know in my heart and mind she is not pregnant though so I just have to watch her from now on and see how she goes. if she develops full signs of pregnancy then she will have to go for a scan in the future to make sure.

So has anything changed regarding Taylor's situation? At least you'll get some answers today

She seems the same...she's still swollen up but it hasnt got worse. Im not taking her in today because I have the last appointment and it's only for Trigger...and cash is tight so Im going to just speak to the vet today and see if he advises a consult. they say it rectifies itself normally