Canine Pseudopregnancy: a Review

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Research & Reviews: Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology ISSN: 2319-3441 (Online), ISSN: 2349-3690 (Print) Volume 7, Issue 1 www.stmjournals.com

Canine Pseudopregnancy: A Review

Thangamani A., Srinivas M.*, Chandra Prasad B., Anusha K., Sadasiva Rao K. Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract Canine pseudopregnancy is a normal physiological syndrome that occurs in female dogs in their diestrual phase of estrous cycle. It simulates the peri and post-whelping signs that includes nesting, increase in weight and enlargement of mammary gland, lactation and mothering behavior on toys, shoes, puppies of other bitches. Decreased levels of progesterone, meanwhile raised levels of prolactin predispose the bitches to pseudopregnancy. It is a self-limiting clinical condition; however, anti-prolactin therapy indicated an overt pseudopregnancy. Predisposed bitches not used for breeding purpose. The permanent solution for prevention of this clinical condition is ovariohysterectomy (OHE). In this article reviewed regarding aetio- pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of pseudopregnancy.

Keyword: Canine, pseudopregnancy, syndrome

*Author for Correspondence E-mail: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION article reviewed regarding aetio- Pseudocyesis, pseudopregnancy, nervous pathophysiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and lactation, copycat pregnancy, phantom treatment of pseudopregnancy. pregnancy is a physiological syndrome simulate to those observed during the post- Endocrine pattern of bitch estrous cycle: whelping period [1]. This condition varies from Canine has different reproductive pattern that bitches. Voith, (1980) [2] and Jochle, (1997) [3] are unique. The bitch once in 6 months opined that non-mated female wolves had to approaches the estrous cycle because anestrous lactate other female wolves litters. From that about 4 to 4.5 month [6]. The canine estrous reports pseudopregnancy evolved through cycle includes; pro-estrous, estrous, diestrous families. Prevalence reports about 50–75% was and anestrous. Report regarding length of the estimated [4]. Although it is stimulated by estrous cycle pattern was 5 to 12 month. Stages hormonal changes, exact causes for that of cycle tabulated (Tab: 1). condition not completely understood [5]. In this

Stage of cycle Predominant sign Hormonal Changes Reference (Tab:1) Pro-oestrum (3–20 Swollen vulva. Pre-ovulatory surge of LH. Concannon, 1986 [6] days) Sanguineous discharge at Oestrogen level rises. Bell Christie and (Average-9 days) the vulvar lips. Progesterone appears on circulation. Youngali, 1971 [7] Not acceptance of male E2 concentration about 50–70 ng/ml Estrum (3–20 Acceptance of male Progesterone start rises on circulation. Root Kustritz, 2012 [8] days) Maximal receptive period. Ovulation occur 48hurs after LH surge. (Average-9 days) E2 levels slowly falls. Immature ovum released, that attain maturation in the tract within 2 days. Diestrum Going out of heat signs Progesterone level rises followed by decline in the Root Kustritz, 2012 [8] Pregnant bitch-62 Functional CL. end of diestrum (Less than 2 ng/ml). to 64 days. Mammary development. P4 production supported by LH and Prolactin Non-pregnant- 60 hormone. to 80 days Anoestrus (4 to 4.5 Outward signs are absent. Low serum Progesterone concentration. Concannon, 1989 [9] months) Quiescent period of cycle. FSH levels relatively elevated. Root Kustritz, 2012 [8] LH levels increase late in stage(Require estrogen priming)

Canine Pseudopregnancy- A Review Thangamani et al.

Clinical signs: Both pregnant and non- Late Increase in weight, Mialot et al. pregnant bitches could have similar signs but gestational Enlargement of mammary 1984 [11] intensity of signs varies from bitches. In behavior gland, lactation, abdominal Feldman and contraction, self-nursing. Nelson, 1996 diestrous bitches with non-pregnant have no [1] signs are called covert pseudopregnancy Johnston, (Covert PSC) while have observable signs are 1980 [4] called overt pseudopregnancy (Overt PSC). Gobello et al. (2001) [9] reviewed different Ancillary Polyuria, Polyphagia, Romagnoli, clinical signs observed in pseudo pregnant sign Diarrhea. 2009 [12] bitches (Tab: 2).

Tab:2 Clinical signs Reference Pseudopregnancy signs are observed in women. Behavioral Restlessness, Licking of Gobello et al. One comparative study reviewed differences changes mammary gland, Anorexia, 2001[9] regarding hyperprolactinaemia and serum Decreased expression and prolactin concentration, but no difference activity existing [13, 14]. Aggressiveness. Maternal Nesting habit, Carrying the Romagnoli, behavior inanimate objects, Carrying 2009 [10] Aetio-Pathophysiology-Represented in the other bitches puppies. form of flow diagram (Flow Diagram: 1)

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of pseudopregnancy thyrotropin and prolactin [26] associated should be required, because improper diagnosis with primary hypothyroidism [27]. and administration of prolactin antagonist compound results in abortion (or) pre-term Treatment Approach whelping. Mild cases of pseudopregnancy usually need no treatment. Overt cases require treatment. It is a (a) Based on the clinical signs observed. self-limiting condition, so conventional method (b) Abdominal palpation-foetal part palpable solves that problem. if pregnant. (c) Ultrasonography-if early diestrual stage. (a) Conventional Approach: (d) Radiography-if late diestrual stage. Elizabethan collars, T-shirts are used to prevent (e) Hormone estimation. licking (or) nursing of mammary gland is prescribed. Avoid application of cold (or) hot (i) Relaxin hormone estimation - Klonisch et packing on glands. Should prevent the licking al. (1999) [22] opined that relaxin hormone and milking. Based on the renal profile [1] not detectable in non-pregnant bitch and advised to restrict the water up to 5–7 days in detectable in pregnant bitch (5 ng/ml). (ii) Acute phase protein estimation. - Present in night hours. Non-phenothiazine compounds like post implantation period and absent in Diazepam are indicated whereas phenothiazine pseudo pregnant bitch [23, 24]. compounds are contraindicated in pseudocyesis (iii) Elevated level of estradiol 17 beta in cases because it stimulates the prolactin release pregnant luteal phase [25]. from the anterior pituitary [28]. (iv) Thyrotrophic releasing hormone (TRH) - TRH stimulates the release of both (b) Medical Approach:

Category Ingredient Dose rate Side effects References Sex steroids Estrogen compounds: - Signs of estrus Gobello et al. 2001 Diethyl stilbesterol, Uterine pathology [9] Estradiol benzoate, Pyometra Estradiol cypionate. Androgen 36 µg/kg for 5 days Virilizing effect Gobello et al. 2001 compounds: [9] Testosterone Janssens, 1986 [29] Mibolerone Progestin compounds: - Recurrence of lactation. Feldman and Nelson, Melengesterol acetate Cystic endometrial 1996 [1] (MGA) hyperplasia (CEH) Medroxy progesterone Mammary tumor. acetate (MPA) Acromegaly. Dopamine Agonist Bromocriptine 10–100 µg/kg/day for Vomition (prevent that Verstegen and De- (Ergoid derivatives) (D2 receptor agonist) 10–14 days. ondansetron administered) coster, 1985 [30] Cabergoline 5 µg/day for 5–10 Less side effects Arbeiter et al. 1988 Metergoline days. Whining effect. [31] 0.2 mg/kg/day for 8– Hamon et al. 1981 10days. [32].

(c) Surgical Approach aggravate the condition, because it further Ovario-hysterectomy procedure needed when decline in Progesterone level followed by the bitches every cycle showing increases in prolactin level culminate double pseudpregnancy sign. Recurrence of the level of syndrome/ condition occur. pseudpregnancy predisposes the bitches to pyometra and mammary tumor. The permanent CONCLUSION solution for prevention of this clinical condition Knowledge of the Underlying is ovariohysterectomy (OHE). Important point pseudopregnancy of the canine species permits to remember before going for surgery approach veterinarian to make the possible advice to was bitches should be in anestrum. Surgical clients regarding clinical form of removal of uterus on diestrous stage further pseudpregnancy and their management.

Canine Pseudopregnancy- A Review Thangamani et al.

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