Why is my unspayed dog lactating, nipples swollen, and howling?

You are honestly too kind to me! Bloat is fatal without treatment, but if she is acting normally now, then she doesn't have it. You would see unproductive vomiting, restlessness, pacing, a swollen abdomen, and looking at the abdomen. It's good that she stopped the previous behavior, and it could be that she had something stuck in her throat but has now passed it. I would monitor her for now, and if she does show any concerning signs again, have her seen by a vet. As for the swelling of her stomach, it could be possible that Bella is pregnant if she's been around intact male dogs. She could have be going into heat, as the mammary glands can swell when a dog is in heat.

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!

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It is possible that Harley could be going through something called 'pseudo-pregnancy'. Dogs can develop mammary glands, produce milk, and will sometimes even start to nest and collect small stuffed animals to nurse. This is normal and will subside in a few weeks. However, it is recommended to get her spayed before her next heat so she doesn't have to go through that stress again. The other possible cause is something called a pyometra. This is an infected uterus and is life-threatening. If you notice any discharge from her vulva, if she is weak, not eating, drinking more, or acting abnormally at all, I would have her seen by your vet right away. Best of luck with Harley.

She may be in a false pregnancy cycle or have an infection in her uterus due to hormonal changes. Temperamental can be related to this or it may be a sign of pain or dominance at her age. The best thing to do is have a vet check her for an infection or a false pregnancy. From there you can discuss having her spayed to prevent future heat cycles so you no longer have to worry.

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.

If Bella has been in heat recently (within the last two months) and has had contact with an intact male, then yes she could be pregnant. The only way to know for sure is to have her seen by a vet. If she’s far enough along in a pregnancy, the vet can do x-rays to see how many puppies she is carrying. I would take her into a vet this week. I hope this 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.