Strange behavior from dog

Question
QUESTION: Hello. Last year (on 1/13/08) our dog delivered 5 pups at our home in our finished basement. We only kept one pup. Yesterday, the mother began to act strangely and kept going into the basement of our home. She even slept in the basement (something she has not done since the pups were in the home). Today she is still spending a lot of time in the basement. Should I be worried about this?

ANSWER: Hi Jermaine.  This behavior does seem a little strange.  Is there any chance that your dog could be expecting another litter?  If not, have you seen any changes in her eating habits, or any medical problems, such as vomiting, diarrhea lack of energy?

If she has been spayed, or for what ever reason, you are absolutely certain she is not expecting a litter, she could be experiencing changes in her hormone levels.  Elevated hormone levels could cause her to seek out the area where she delivered her litter last year.  She could also be experiencing a false pregnancy, due to the increased hormones.

I would check her abdomen to see if it swollen and the mammary glands, to see if they are swollen.  You might even be able to squeeze the nipple area to see if any milk is produced.
If you discover that she is possibly having a false pregnancy, there are some hormone adjusting medications that can be given, but you will need to check with your vet.

Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.co



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Eating habits are normal. She has had a lack of energy. She now goes to bed at 8pm (used to stay up until 10pm or 11pm). She was just in heat and still has swollen genitals but has not been in contact with any male dogs. I will check her abdomen for the symptoms you noted.

Thanks for the quick response.

Answer
Hi Jermaine.  Hi Crystal.  The normal heat cycle in dogs lasts approximately 21 days as follows:  Days 1 - 7, the vaginal area swells and bleeding usually occurs.  I'm not sure how long it has been since you noticed the swelling, but in some cases it can be 3 - 4 days before the bleeding starts.  Also, some dogs are very neat and will clean himself making it harder to detect the bleeding.

Days 7 - 14, is when the female is considered to be in Estrus.  This is the phase where males will me more interested, and when the female will normally allow mating to occur.  In the days prior to Estrus, the female usually will not allow the male to mate, and will actually bite him if he advances.

Days 14 - 21, there is normally no outward signs, but this is the time the embryos are forming, if successful mating occurred.

During the Estrus phase of the heat cycle, the hormone levels are very high.  During this phase the female, if not mated, can develop a false pregnancy.  Under normal conditions, the false pregnancy can last up to 3 weeks, however I have also read of cases where some female's go so far as to even experience false labor.

I would keep a close eye on her over the next three weeks, and if you see any other symptoms, like I mentioned in my previous response, then I would suggest that you take her to your vet for an examination and possibly some hormone balancing medication.

Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com