Pseudopregnancy (also known as pseudocyesis, false pregnancy, or nervous lactation) is a physiologic syndrome characterized by signs similar to those observed during a normal pregnancy. It is a fairly common condition in intact bitches and uncommon in queens.
小动物假妊娠的病因学
Physiologically, all nonpregnant bitches are "pseudopregnant" at the end of diestrus but the intensity of these signs can be extremely variable among bitches. Some bitches have no signs, whereas others show conspicuous signs and this is called overt pseudopregnancy.
It is thought that the abrupt drop in progesterone at the end of diestrus plus the hormone prolactin plays a central role in the pathogenesis of pseudopregnancy, which is why it can be brought on by ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy during the luteal phase. However, its exact pathophysiology is not completely understood.
小动物假妊娠的临床症状
Behavioral signs of overt pseudopregnancy include:
restlessness
anorexia
decreased activity
licking at abdomen
aggression
maternal behavior
Physical signs include weight gain, mammary enlargement, and milk secretion.
小动物假妊娠的诊断
Diagnosis of overt pseudopregnancy is based on compatible clinical signs in a nonpregnant sexually intact bitch. There are currently no specific diagnostic tests for pseudopregnancy because hormonal assays are nondiagnostic for this condition.
小动物假妊娠的诊断
Pseudopregnancy is a treatable condition with a good prognosis for resolution, as long as the underlying hormonal cause has been corrected. Most clinical signs resolve without treatment.
Ovariohysterectomy is indicated for bitches not intended for breeding; surgery during anestrus is recommended. Surgery during the luteal phase can result in pseudopregnancy.
Prolactin-inhibiting drugs such as cabergoline and bromocriptine can be used to inhibit lactation. In dogs, cabergoline is administered at 5 mcg/kg, PO, every 24 hours for 5–10 days (1). Because of its short half-life and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, bromocriptine (10 mcg/kg, PO, every 8–12 hours for 7–10 days is used less commonly than cabergoline (2). Adverse effects such as vomiting, anorexia, depression, and behavioral changes are common with higher doses of bromocriptine; it should be administered with food to decrease adverse GI effects.
If lactation is occurring, do not milk out the mammary glands as this will only stimulate lactogenesis.
If a sedative is needed, phenothiazines are not recommended as they stimulate prolactin secretion.
参考文献
Arbeiter K, Brass W, Ballabio R, Jochle W. Treatment of pseudopregnancy in the bitch with cabergoline, an ergoline derivative. J Small Anim Pract. 1988;29(12):781-788. doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1988.tb01904.x
Gobello C. Revisiting canine pseudocyesis. Theriogenology. 2021;167:94-98. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.03.014
