Skip to content

Phantom pregnancy and spaying

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • Ellie is 20 months old and was born in the spring (outside of the usual UK autumn/winter season).

    Her first heat cycle was at 6 months old in the usual autumn/winter season, then she had a partial cycle in the spring and a third cycle and the end of October 21 at the usual time.

    After the second partial cycle she showed some false pregnancy signs but it didn't feel like a real problem for her. This time she is showing them again but she is a lot more distressed - running around crying very frequently, lots of digging and attaching herself to a stuffed toy.

    We hadn't yet made a decision about spaying but in any case didn't want to do it until she was fully mature. However, it's not nice to see her this distressed and just wondering if we should be reconsidering for this reason? I understand it shouldn't be done while she is still experiencing these symptoms.

    Thanks

  • It sounds as if she is "nesting"...

  • Tough topic, Jane. We can't even agree on this one in the same household. :anguished_face:

  • It is a difficult one - as you know, I am rabid against spaying at all - but I also realise the distress it must be causing you. However, I am pretty certain that no vet would commit surgery on a dog who was displaying signs of a false pregnancy 'externally' as it is also possible things are going on inside to do with this condition. Talk to your vet and see if there is some calming medication she can have until this blows over.

  • @jkent - My Franie has phantom pregnancy, but hers comes to light about 60 to 70 days after her cycle which would be after she would have had babies (and she has never been bred). She attaches herself to ONE toy and only when she is this the cycle. She carries it around, crying, digging, and she will put the toy to bed in her crate and then come sleep in bed.. LOL! She knows exactly were this "baby is" every year... and this has been going on for 12 years... LOL. She put this baby away until the next year (in the toy box). This lasts for about two weeks, give or take.

Suggested Topics

  • Spay Early or Spay Later

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    8k Views
    senjisillyS
    @mryltis Read this comment from @morgansc within this post dated May 30, 2019, 7:49 AM. It answers your question. Ideally it is best to wait until age 24 months but no early than 18 months. https://basenjiforums.com/post/177284
  • Spaying while in heat

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    tanzaT
    Most Vets will not recommend spay during season and unless there is a medical reason for doing it now, will recommend waiting till she is at least 3 to 4 weeks past the end of her season. I would also agree you should put it off and wait. Keep in mind however the neutered males can achieve a tie with a bitch in season, however considered "safe sex"… but since you have two males, this could present a problem, so something to keep an eye on
  • Spaying info

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    D
    If you can wait, I would have her spayed in early Summer. I had one rescue whose birthdate was in early January and she came into season in early September. It was a surprise as I just got her and her sire and he was intact also. Luckily I was able to get her spayed ASAP. I have a rescue who is 8 years old and is longer than she is tall. She waddles when she walks, swings her hips. Since I never had a B walk like this I did have her hips x-rayed and thankfully Dr. Tracy rated them as fair. Jennifer
  • Spaying recovery

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    MiaM
    I brought her to the vet on Monday and that's when she said to put a hot compress on the site. The incision looks normal and healing very well. No redness at all. The swelling is probably like the size of an almond. I noticed it because she's always had a very lean and flat tummy (don't we all wish we could be like that lol). I thought it was unhealthy too to have fluid accumulate under the skin, but the vet said it happens. I will keep an eye on it, and they said to call them on Friday with an update. Hopefully it will go away soon. In the mean time she really likes snuggling up with the heat pad.
  • Hysterical Pregnancy

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    wrx227wrcW
    Thanks, Pat. You're such a smarty pants! -Jordan and Piggs
  • Spaying …

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    6k Views
    SunnyS
    Day 3 Sandie is acting as if nothing ever happend jumping around wanting to play, eating all the same things… wish i could get her to lay still more...tonight shes like over active... I think its the cooler weather we are having, it seems to make her go into hyper active...