Phantom pregnancy and new puppy in the house.

[SS71]

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Hi, I’m looking for some advice please. I have a springer spaniel who is approximately 7 years old. We have recently got a miniature dachshund puppy. Our springer is having a phantom pregnancy which she seems to be coping quite well with but clearly sees the puppy as hers. She is fantastic with the puppy and does not mind our other male dog, our cat and us interacting with the puppy. We have been advised if possible to keep them apart which will be difficult. Does anyone have any experience of this?
Thanks in advance

 

[Mayblossom]

Hello and welcome ! Sorry can’t help as never had any experience with phantom pregnancies, is your Springer ok with you interacting with the puppy?

 

[SS71]

Hi, thank you for replying. Yes she has no issues at all with anyone interacting, not just family but also visitors to the house (adults and children) and our cat as well as our other dog who is male. I’m worried about the complications that can occur with a phantom pregnancy more than anything. I wondered if separating them for a short time might help her get over it quicker but they would have to be re-introduced at some point.

 

[Finsky]

Hi, thank you for replying. Yes she has no issues at all with anyone interacting, not just family but also visitors to the house (adults and children) and our cat as well as our other dog who is male. I’m worried about the complications that can occur with a phantom pregnancy more than anything. I wondered if separating them for a short time might help her get over it quicker but they would have to be re-introduced at some point.

Phantom pregnancy is more of hormonal a thing so unless your girl is trying to mother the younger one and it is responding to it (as of stimulating her), that condition should work itself out on its own accord. Keep eye on if she is starting to lactate and other one is licking her....it will progress..
Bitches that experience this 'thing' will often carry on going to through it after each season and what they experience can progress more to extreme form.
See how it goes...and if she don't seem to get out of it in next few weeks...then you might have result to more drastic actions.

 

[SS71]

Thanks, the puppy wants to play with my springer but is not interested in suckling etc. My springer is lactating and stimulating this herself which we are trying to stop her from doing. She brings the puppy toys and is quite submissive around her which is very unusual for her. She’s usually not a sharer lol.

 

[Finsky]

Thanks, the puppy wants to play with my springer but is not interested in suckling etc. My springer is lactating and stimulating this herself which we are trying to stop her from doing. She brings the puppy toys and is quite submissive around her which is very unusual for her. She’s usually not a sharer lol.

If her hormones haven't started to calm down in next couple of weeks or so, I would contact vet and see if there is anything to be done. I meanwhile you could try putting old t-shirt on or something to keep her from constantly licking her boobies....no tummy rubs from family neither.
It is kind of 'normal' bitch behaviour...for some anyway though not very nice and good for them in excess. If she is eating and drinking normally, that's a good sign..though I suspect as she is lactating, she would have appetite.

 

[JoanneF]

would contact vet and see if there is anything to be done.

Vets can prescribe things, like Galastop, to stop the symptoms. After one false pregnancy though, I believe they become more likely.

 

[Finsky]

Vets can prescribe things, like Galastop, to stop the symptoms. After one false pregnancy though, I believe they become more likely.

Good to know there is something for it. I've had one bitch that had one false pregrancy, and it was a bad one...she would not come out of it...that was yeeeeears ago and that was followed up with pyometra so she had to be done anyway and there was none of that hassle anymore. But how difficult that 'fb' was, I think we would have had her done rather than put her through it again.