The signs of false pregnancy usually begin 6 to 12 weeks after standing heat. The female may appear bloated, develop enlarged mammary glands and lactate. She also may act restless, nervous or excitable. The dog may also vomit, refuse to eat, have diarrhea or nurse herself. No treatment is recommended for a false pregnancy, primarily because most dogs remain in this condition for 1 to 3 weeks.
Persistent lactation is the most worrisome complication.
Most females will stimulate milk let down by licking themselves. This can result in mastitis and infection. Rather than prescribing tranquilizers or applying warm or cold compacts which can further stimulate lactation, she recommends placing an Elizabethan collar around the neck of the female to prevent licking. To determine the possibility of a true pregnancy, a veterinarian can perform an ultrasound around three weeks to detect the presence of any fetuses. If the dog experiences repeated false pregnancies and the owner has no desire to breed the animal, Dr. McCullough highly recommends spaying.