Ask the Vet

Phantom or false pregnancy (pseudopregnancy or pseudocyesis) is most commonly seen in an intact bitch, but can occur less commonly following a spay (overiohysterectomy) procedure. These females will show signs of pregnancy including milk production, maternal behavior, distended abdomen, and mammary gland enlargement.

The first few weeks of a newborn puppy's life are crucial to its future development. What happens to a puppy during those all-important first weeks can often determine whether a dog will lead a normal, healthy life or a life that is wrought with illness or behavioural problems.

I recently adopted a three-year-old male bulldog. Should I worry about my new dog fighting and making mating advances towards my seven-year-old female bulldog? She doesn't seem to like it.

Left to their own behavior and responding to nature’s signals, the majority of dogs will breed at a time appropriate to result in conception.  Nevertheless, improper timing is the most common reason that breedings fail.

A pre-breeding veterinary exam is important in establishing baseline data and to plan for the care of the dog during pregnancy. All bitches should be current on required vaccinations, heartworm tested negative, and dewormed with a broad spectrum anthelmintic (dewormer). 

Let’s think about this for a minute. You want to breed your female. You know what to expect if everything goes right. Your girl will present you with little bundles of joy. She will lovingly nurse them and care for them until they are old enough to be weaned.

Breeders invest a great deal of time and money in developing a stud dog.  Hours and hours of training are required to develop a show ring or field champion.  These dogs must be fit and obedient none of which occurs overnight. Therefore, successful breeding is often an important part in making that investment worthwhile.