Canine Pseudopregnancy: An evaluation of incidence, diagnosis and current treatment protocols

Abstract

Objectives: To assess how often vets recognise cases of pseudopregnancy in bitches, which clinical and/or behavioural signs are used for diagnosis, and which management or treatment protocols are used. Method(s): A postal questionnaire on pseudopregnancy was sent to 2000 practising veterinary surgeons in 2015. Descriptive statistics were obtained, prevalence of outcomes estimated and 95% confidence intervals calculated. Result(s): The response rate was 19.8%. Clinical pseudopregnancy has been estimated in previous literature to be as high as 50% in the domestic dog. Veterinary surgeons reported that 46% of bitches showed behavioural signs of pseudopregnancy without any physical signs and collecting/mothering objects was the most frequent (96%). Sixty-three percent of vets had seen aggression in pseudopregnant bitches. Nevertheless, only 52% of vets routinely asked owners about the behavioural changes during consultations. Eight percent of respondents reported seeing pseudopregnancy in spayed bitches. The most commonly reported clinical sign was enlarged mammary glands and/or milk production (89%). Treatment options varied (surgical, medical or none) and depended on duration and severity of clinical and behavioural signs, owners' preference, cost, concurrent disease, drug availability and previous history. Statement: This is the largest epidemiological study of canine pseudopregnancy in the UK. Progress on our understanding of diagnosis and treatment of pseudopregnancy in spayed and entire bitches has been made. The prevalence and severity of clinical and behavioural signs in dogs with pseudopregnancy are variable and possibly under-estimated. Dogs with overt pseudopregnancy experience diverse clinical and behavioural problems and standard treatment protocols are lacking.