CLINICAL STUDIES ON PSEUDOPREGNANCY IN DOGS
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Date
2018-08
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KARNATAKA VETERINARY, ANIMAL AND FISCHERIES SCIENCE UNIVERSITY, BIDAR
Abstract
A study on the prevalence, predisposing factors, clinical signs associated with
pseudopregnancy and efficiency of dopamine agonists and management practices to reduce
the clinical manifestation of pseudopregnancy was conducted. The prevalence of
pseudopregnancy was 35.41% with highest prevalence in medium breeds and lowest in
small breeds. The prevalence was higher in young (less than 2 years) and nulliparous
female dogs. Age and parity showed a statistically significant influence on the exhibition
of pseudopregnancy. The signs were exhibited during the anestrus stage of estrous cycle in
majority of dogs as indicated by the serum progesterone values less than 1 ng/ml. The
average number of days from last estrus was 63±2.25 days. The clinical signs varied
widely between individuals and mammary development with milk or milk like secretion
was the most common sign (96.08%). Physical changes and maternal instincts were also
recorded and clinical signs were seen in less than 50% of the dogs. The complications like
mastitis or mammary dermatitis were rare (3.96%). Cabergoline at 5µg/Kg BW once daily
took an average of 6.4±0.65 days for complete recovery and bromocriptine at 10µg/Kg
BW twice daily took an average of 9.5±0.73 days. Managemental practices like food and
water withdrawal during night hours and application of Elizabethan collars for an average
of 15±0.77 days also had a significant effect in reducing clinical signs compared to control
group. Even though pseudopregnancy is a self-limiting condition, when clinical signs are
exacerbated, compared to bromocriptine, cabergoline was found to be safe and effective.
Managemental interventions were found to be effective in absence of veterinary aid.