We took our 11 month old girl, Havana, to the vet yesterday because she hasn’t been eating for about a week. Imagine our surprise when he told us she was in the midst of a phantom pregnancy! I’ve always had male boxers so I had never heard of this, she had her first heat in mid-June so I just assumed her “parts” were still not returning to normal. The vet acted like he’d only seen this a handful of times and it was rare as was her weight loss. To be honest the weight loss didn’t surprise me because not eating for a week while still being a crazy, high-energy boxer seemed to be expected. He’s running a bunch of bloodwork. Anyway I guess my question is has anyone had their girl completely refuse food during a false pregnancy? How long did it last? What did you do to get her to eat?
Havana’s typical diet is Taste of the Wild mixed with brown rice, turkey and veg. Thanks!
I have had three females now and never had one have a false pregnancy and also all my girls have been more than willing to eat! Be careful about grain free dog food please read all the FDA warnings about it.
We are aware of the problems with grain-free foods but she came to us from the breeder on TOTW so we supplement her diet with grains until we can switch her to an adult food that isn’t grain-free.
Yes, intact girls can have phantom pregnancies but there is usually more symptoms than just going off food. They nest in areas that would make great dens such as closets, crates etc. They find “babies” like toys, weird objects like phones/water bottles etc and taken them to their dens to care for them. They are very sucky and quiet. It usually lasts about a week before they return to normal.
I would be more concerned about pyometra and I’m glad to hear your vet has run some blood work.
There is some as of yet unknown problem with grain free dog foods it has been known to affect Boxers as well as other breeds with DCM or cardiomyopathy. I lost two Boxers to it I know of personally 3 other Boxers besides mine who died and several other dogs Golden Retrievers have been hit hard with this. There are several studies out there they don't really know the cause there is speculation that it is the Legume content as they use Lentils and peas to boost the protein in these foods so they can use less meat in them. I really don't think at this point though you will find a Veterinarian who will actually recommend using a grain free anything and the minute a dog gets a heart diagnosis the very first thing they tell the owner is take them off of it. These Pet food boutique stores like to make you think you are doing the best thing for your dog buying their food but its not really I fell for it too. It take 7 years to become a Veterinary nutritionist the people working in those stores are not certified in anything. I hear all the time the Vets only recommend certain foods because they are paid to, not true most Vets want your dog to do well so you continue to be their client my Vet gets nothing when I order my dog food but that's the other line these boutiques will feed you. I urge anyone considering grain free food to please please read up on it before you make a decision it can be a very painful and expensive lesson its one I learned the hard way I only wish I had known. I wish I had a do over I lost two of the best dogs anyone could have within 6 months of each other there is no coincidence to it.
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