Millie our 15 month old working cocker came into season in August, we think she is just coming to end of a phantom pregnancy, her nipples are enlarged, she is more cuddly than normal, she doesn't appear to have been nesting but did go off her food for a while. My concern is that this morning she is shuddering and looking very sad - I am not sure what to do. Do we treat her normally and take her for a nice long walk or just let her be. Any advice gratefully received thank you.

Hi Jane,

Sorry to hear Millie's off-colour - I always felt sorry for mine when she was in season!  She's since been spayed due to complications, but I would treat your girl normally - often a trip out in the car, her normal walks and even short walks or training sessions with lots going on to occupy her mind can distract her from feeling rotten.  If she's cuddly then cuddle her, mine always respond to this.  Sometimes giving the dog a small furry toy to carry around helps ease things - she may latch on to it as if it were a puppy.  Don't worry too much if she goes off her food - if she's feeling anxious she may eat little and often for a few days whilst her hormones settle down.  It should soon pass and if it doesn't and her teats remain enlarged, she lactates or her vulva remains swollen, go the vet to get a check up.  One of ours just needed some Galastop medication after her first season to settle things down - 5 days later she was right as rain.

I would take her to the vet they will be able to treat her phantom, don't give any toys especially soft furry ones........... they will only prolong the agony.

The Bramble Monkeys at October 19, 2011 at 6:18 PM

I would take her to the vet they will be able to treat her phantom, don't give any toys especially soft furry ones........... they will only prolong the agony.

I fully agree with Mike.

Also it has been said to up the exercise and cut the food the theory being the bitch's body is not in prime condition to carry pups, agree with Mike too take all the cuddly toys away.

I would take her to the vets if the phantom is not subsiding.

when Honey was in phantom pregnancy she took anything toy wise they didnt have to be soft into her kennel she even took all her blanket out her basket into the outside kennel, later we found that she had also made her nest under the bed as well, poor girl.

Thanks for all your replies.  Millie is still not right, running around at 100 miles an hour one minute and then very sad, she took herself off to her crate a couple of hours ago, something she never reallys does unless it is bedtime.  Her teats are still enlarged so I think it is now time for a trip to the vets.

How is Millie?