My dog is lactating & nesting 2 months post-heat. False pregnancy?

I'm not sure what the photo is if, it is unclear. If Gracie was in heat recently and you are sure she is not pregnant, she is probably experiencing a false pregnancy. This can occur 3-8 weeks following the completion of a heat cycle. It is a self limiting issue and symptoms usually resolve within a few weeks. Your dog would have mammary development, lactation and often show nesting behavior. If you are not 100% sure about her being pregnant or not, an exam with your vet would be a good idea. Also, continue to monitor for indications if a uterine infection which could include a thick discharge from the vulva, vomiting, excessive thirst and lethargy.

The timing and symptoms could point to a false pregnancy. Have a examined by your veterinarian for confirmation. Treatment is typically not required in mild cases. Symptoms should abate within 2-3 weeks. If they don't or her behavior worsens, your vet can dispense medications to decrease milk production and possibly tranquilizers/sedatives for anxiety. Severe cases can be treated with hormone replacement therapy. To prevent​ future episodes, having her spayed would be the recommended course of action.

Yes if she didn’t get bred she could be having a false pregnancy. If you don’t plan to breed her I do recommend having her spayed. Dogs that have irregular heat cycles and false pregnancies can get uterine infections that can be very serious and need emergency treatment and spaying. Also the constant hormonal ups and downs make dogs moody and may be a factor in developing breast cancer sometimes later in life. A false pregnancy can last the nine weeks of a normal pregnancy then she should get over it a week or two after that. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lily.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Normal pregnancy length in dogs is 60-63 days. If she mated right before adoption then she could be pregnant. Puppy heart beats can be detected on ultrasound at 28 days gestation and we can see their skeletons on X-rays around 50 days. She could be pregnant or she could be suffering from a false pregnancy which occurs after they have a heat cycle from a hormonal imbalance. This imbalance causes the body to think it is pregnant when it actually isn't. The dog can develop mammary glands, produce milk, nest, carry stuffed animals around like babies, act anxious. It resolves with in 2-3 months. I would make an appointment with your Vet to see if you can confirm or deny pregnancy. I wish you the best!

She may be having a false pregnancy. If she had contact with a male while she was in heat, she could be pregnant. She could also have a hormonal problem or a mammary tumor. It would be best to take her to a veterinarian for an exam. The vet can also tell you whether she is pregnant. Unfortunately this is impossible without a hands-on exam.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mira. If you are sure that she is not pregnant, then she is likely experiencing a phenomenon known as a false pregnancy. Most of the time, symptoms will resolve with in 2-3 weeks. However, this is likely to recur with subsequent heat cycles. If she is not going to be used for breeding, spaying her will prevent this in the future. If she is acting ill or her symptoms do not resolve, then she will need to see her veterinarian. I hope this information helps!

[False pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/article/false-pregnancy-in-dogs), or pseudopregnancy, is a term used to describe a common condition in a non-pregnant female dog that is showing symptoms of [pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pregnancy/), lactation, or nursing, without producing puppies. The affected female dog shows these symptoms about a month or two after her estrus (heat) is over. A hormonal imbalance is thought to play a central role in affected female dogs. Depending on the severity of problem, the symptoms may last for more than a month. Unless symptoms persist, treatment is typically unnecessary. Otherwise, your veterinarian may recommend hormonal supplementation or spaying to prevent further episodes. To reduce mammary gland secretions, your veterinarian will advise you on using cold or warm packs to minimize the stimulation that promotes lactation. An Elizabethan collar (cone) can also help prevent the self-nursing or licking behavior that can stimulate lactation. In some patients, reducing the daily food intake can help to reduce the production of milk. If you are not planning to breed your dog and do not want her to reproduce in the future, [spaying](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-great-reasons-to-spay-or-neuter-your-pet) is recommended for preventing future episodes of false pregnancy behavior. The overall prognosis is good and most dogs improve within two to three weeks, even without treatment.