Why is my 8-week pregnant dog leaking milk and has a swollen vulva?

Yes, it certainly does sound possible that Mocha is pregnant since she did mate with a male, although as you mention, a false pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) is also possible. Another possible cause of her vaginal discharge is a pyometra (uterine infection). On average, a dog gestation is 62-65 days. Options at this point are to take Mocha to a vet to confirm the pregnancy or rule out a pyometra through x-rays, ultrasound or blood tests, or closely monitor her for another month to see if she delivers puppies. Should you decide to take the wait and see approach, be sure to feed her puppy food rather than adult dog food, as it is higher in calories to help during a pregnancy. If Mocha does not deliver puppies, she will need to be examined by her vet to discuss management of her condition. All of that said, if Mocha becomes lethargic, stops eating, or experiences changes to her vaginal discharge, she should be examined by a vet immediately to rule out a possible pyometra, as this can become a life threatening emergency. Best of luck!

Hello, I am sorry to hear about Cinammon. If Cinnamon recently had puppies it is possible that she may have some swelling and irritation secondary to inflammation in that area. Since Cinnamon was also spayed recently, I recommend that she wear an e-collar or something to prevent licking of her incision during the healing process. This will also help prevent her from licking at her vulva. Licking can predispose pets to further irritation and infection. If the swelling does not resolve or you begin to notice any colored or odorous discharge please have Cinnamon seen by a veterinarian. Hope this helps!

Yes, she could be close. Here is a link to an article that will tell you more about signs to look for that she should be delivering soon. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/whelping-giving-birth-in-dogs/ )

I am wondering if Lokita might be experiencing a pseudopregnancy. Sometimes dogs will have all of the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and can even produce milk without being pregnant. It’s important to make sure she isn’t truly pregnant even though you keep a close eye on her. I’d recommend having your vet examine her - they may want to perform an ultrasound to make sure she isn’t pregnant and if they are suspicious of pseudopregnancy they can discuss treatment.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Princess. I would advise taking Princess to your veterinarian. It's possible that she is going through a false pregnancy (pseudopregnancy) if you are sure that she didn't get bred by a male dog. Dogs often get mammary enlargement and will lactate when they are in a false pregnancy. Your veterinarian can gather a history and assess Princess. They may want to x-ray or ultrasound her to confirm that she is pregnant or not if she was out of your sight within the past 2 months or so. A false pregnancy usually resolves without treatment but it's also possible that she is developing some mild mastitis from the mammary enlargement. Your vet can advise you on any treatment that might be needed. Good luck with Princess

It is not unusual for the vulva to remain swollen for a period of time after the "heat" cycle is over. In dogs, there are [4 stages of estrus](https://www.petcoach.co/article/anatomy-and-function-of-the-reproductive-system-in-dogs). The combination of proestrus and estrus, which is often referred to as "heat" by breeders, lasts approximately 21 days. "Heat" is followed by diestrus and anestrus. During proestrus, the vulva swells and has a bloody discharge. During estrus, the vulva softens and becomes pliable in preparation for mating. It can take several weeks following estrus for the vulva to shrink back down in size, but it will never go back to the size it was before the first heat cycle. The same is true of the mammary glands, which enlarge slightly in preparation for [pregnancy](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pregnancy/).

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!