Reproductive Health in the Bitch

Do dogs get morning sickness when they are pregnant?

Yes, dogs can experience morning sickness during pregnancy. It is also referred to as “implantation nausea.” It typically occurs in the early stages of pregnancy, around the third or fourth week after conception, but can develop at any time during the pregnancy, or even after the birth of the puppies.

While the term “morning sickness” implies that symptoms are present primarily in the morning, dogs may feel discomfort any time of day.

Some signs that your dog may be suffering from morning sickness include decreased appetite, loss of energy, excessive salivation, vomiting and retching. In severe cases, dehydration and weight loss can occur if the vomiting persists. The symptoms of morning sickness usually resolve in a few weeks.

What is the cause of morning sickness?

The exact cause of morning sickness in pregnant dogs is not fully understood, but hormonal changes are believed to play a significant role. During early pregnancy, fluctuations in hormone levels, especially progesterone, estrogen and relaxin, can affect the dog’s gastrointestinal tract and lead to nausea and vomiting.

Additionally, the physical changes occurring in the bitch’s body as the pregnancy progresses, such as increased pressure on the stomach from the growing fetuses, can contribute to gastrointestinal discomfort and lead to morning-sickness symptoms.

What can I do to manage my dog’s morning sickness?

Managing morning sickness in pregnant bitches involves a combination of supportive care and dietary adjustments. Offering small meals throughout the day rather than one or two large meals can help reduce nausea and vomiting. This approach eases digestion and keeps her stomach from becoming too full or too empty, which can trigger queasiness. Choose bland, easily digestible foods such as boiled chicken and rice or diets specially formulated for sensitive stomachs.

Ensuring adequate hydration is important, especially if vomiting occurs frequently. Provide access to clean, fresh water at all times, and consider offering electrolyte solutions or ice cubes for added hydration.

In severe cases of morning sickness, your veterinarian may prescribe medication to alleviate nausea and vomiting. These include metoclopramide (Reglan), a drug that encourages motility of the stomach, and ondansetron (Zofran), a drug that reduces vomiting. Medications should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian, as some may not be safe for use during pregnancy.

For supportive care, provide a comfortable and quiet environment for the pregnant dog to rest and incubate her puppies. Minimize stress factors and avoid sudden changes in environment and routine.

Keep a close eye on the pregnant dog’s condition and monitor for any changes in symptoms or behavior. If vomiting persists or worsens, seek veterinary attention to prevent dehydration and other complications.

With proper care and attention, most cases of morning sickness in pregnant dogs resolve as the pregnancy progresses. After giving birth, continue monitoring your dog for any lingering effects of morning sickness. Ensure that she gradually returns to her normal diet and maintains adequate hydration, especially if nursing the puppies. Consult your veterinarian if your bitch shows any signs of ongoing nausea or poor appetite post-delivery, as these could affect her ability to care for her puppies.

Do female dogs go through menopause?

No, unlike humans, female dogs do not stop having their reproductive cycles as they age. Bitches continue to have heat, or estrus, cycles throughout their lives. This makes them capable of getting pregnant even in their senior years, although their fertility is markedly decreased.

While some older bitches may experience a decrease in the frequency or intensity of their heat cycles, this is not comparable to menopause. It is more likely related to age-dependent changes or underlying health conditions.

As an intact female dog ages, the risk for developing a pyometra after a heat cycle increases. Pyometra is a life-threatening infection of the uterus brought on by hormone stimulation. This condition requires immediate veterinary care and, in most cases, surgical removal of the infected uterus.

One of the signs of a pyometra is bloody vaginal discharge. Some owners think their dog is simply going back into heat, but this is not the case. These dogs feel sick due to the infection and will have other symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, increased thirst, fever and a swollen abdomen.

Cancer of the mammary glands, uterus and ovaries can also affect older unspayed female dogs. Bleeding from the vulva may also be due to a urinary-tract infection, bladder stones, bladder cancer or other bleeding abnormalities. Any abnormal discharge from the vulva should be examined by your veterinarian.

Can a dog be pregnant and have a pyometra at the same time?

Yes, it is possible for dogs to develop a pyometra while pregnant, although it is rare. The pregnancy does not completely protect a dog from developing this serious infection of the uterus.

Pyometra is linked to hormonal changes that occur after a bitch’s heat cycle. Progesterone levels can lead to thickening of the lining of the uterus and fluid buildup. This creates an environment that allows a bacterial infection to develop.

A pregnant bitch’s uterus is already in a state of change, and the hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy can contribute to the risk of pyometra. Progesterone plays a key role in maintaining a pregnancy. Therefore, the environment necessary to carry out a normal pregnancy may become an optimal medium for undesirable bacterial growth.

The uterus of a dog is a “Y-shaped” organ. In rare cases, pyometra can develop in one uterine horn while viable fetuses are present in the other.

The pyometra infection can either be “open,” meaning the cervix is open and allows pus to drain from the uterus, or “closed,” meaning the cervix is closed and no discharge escapes. Dogs with closed pyometra get very sick very quickly, and it would be unlikely the unborn puppies would survive such a toxic environment.

If left untreated, pyometra can be life threatening. It can lead to kidney failure, toxemia and, potentially, death. Pyometra during pregnancy can also lead to uterine rupture, which can be fatal for both the dam and her puppies.

Treatment consists of antibiotic therapy, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate (Clavamox), and supportive electrolyte fluids. Careful monitoring with ultrasound equipment is needed to assess the growth and health of the fetuses while the infection is being treated. Caesarean-section surgery may be indicated to deliver the puppies safely and remove the infected uterus.