14 yr. old lab/rot mix

Question
My 14 lab/rot mix is otherwise healthy. She has arthritis, eye fade, normal aging issues. Lately, she has been whining for no reason, while laying in the floor or on the couch like normal. She has been going into my bedroom at random times and digging at the floor, almost like she is trying to get under the bed but she never actually does. She has been panting more often, though I wouldn't say excessively. And then this evening I noticed that near 2 of her nipples here fur is crusty, as if they leaked. She has never been fixed, and has never had a litter. Her eating and drinking and pottying have been normal. Should I be concerned? I plan to take her to the vet, but am worried that I should not put it off. Thank you for your help.

Answer
what you are describing sounds like nesting behaviour. If she is lactating she is either having a phantom pregnancy or is actually pregnant. You need to take her to the vet ASAP, if she is pregnant the pregnancy would most likely kill a dog her age so she would require an emergency spay. DO NOT just leave this, if she is pregnant you are risking her life and you would most likely end up paying thousands of dollars for a ceasrian.

on another interesting note, besides the lactating, apparently dogs will scratch at the ground, act strangely and pant when there are changes in the electromagnetic fields before an earthquake.