16 Jul Dog Abortion; Symptoms And Treatments

Some dog owners don’t want them to get pregnant for some reason. So, if the dog is pregnant, they may consider abortion. Also, dogs may experience miscarriage for various medical reasons. In both cases, abortion may come with risks and side effects for your dog. In this article, we have investigated the issue of dog abortion, its symptoms, complications, prevention and treatment. So, stay tuned to the end.

Dog abortion

The death of the fetus during pregnancy and before birth is called abortion. Abortion in dogs may occur at any time during her pregnancy. However, the symptoms of a canine miscarriage vary depending on the stage at which it occurs. In the following, we examine the signs and symptoms of abortion in dogs.

Abortion symptoms in dogs

Abortion in dogs can be spontaneous or prescribed by a veterinarian. In many cases of spontaneous abortion, there are no visible signs in the dog. Early miscarriage usually results in resorption of the fetus without any apparent symptoms. Therefore, it will be detectable only if the pregnancy is confirmed in the initial ultrasound. Because the absence of signs of pregnancy in the next ultrasound indicates the abortion of the dog. Abortion during the rest of the pregnancy may be asymptomatic or accompanied by certain clinical symptoms. Clinical symptoms of spontaneous abortion include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Abnormal vaginal discharge (brown, green or black)
• Vaginal odour
• Stomach ache
• Fever
• Birth of dead cubs
• Birth of a mummified fetus

Types of Abortion in Dogs

Abortion in a dog ocAbortionone Dogshe following ways according to the duration of her pregnancy:

Fetus reabsorption

If the dog’s fetus dies in the first half of pregnancy (before 45 days), it’s often absorbed into the body, and the dog’s abortion may go completely unrecognized. Sometimes it’s even possible that a few of the puppies are aborted and absorbed in the womb of the pregnant dog. While other puppies are born naturally at the end of the pregnancy period. The most common causes of this type are inadequate hormonal support, endometrial disorders or poisoning, or infections such as canine herpes virus.

Mummification of a dog fetus

The fetus may die by the 50th day of pregnancy due to the accumulation of calcium in its body tissues. This issue may lead to the embalming of the fetus that remains inside the uterus and is partially destroyed. In this type of dog abortion, the skin around the fetus dries up and forms a membrane. Complete decay of the embryo and resorption may even be delayed for a long time. However, by taking ultrasound and radiography of the dog, more or less the fetus in the uterus can be detected.

Premature birth or stillborn puppy

Dog abortion at the end of pregnancy has various consequences such as abdominal contractions, vaginal secretions and premature birth. Stillborns are usually full-term fetuses that are stillborn. Fetal death may have occurred a few days, hours or minutes before delivery. Infections, poisoning, dysfunctional placentas, insufficient uterine space, dystocia, abnormalities, and luteal insufficiency are some of the causes of this type of canine miscarriage.

Causes of unwanted abortion in Dogs

Abortion in dogs can be caused bDogsngenital, fetal, or drug-related causes. In the following, we will examine some causes of abortion in dogs.

Congenital causes of abortion in dogs

Female dogs suffering from some diseases cause abortion in them, which are as follows:

Brucella infection

The most common cause of abortion in dogs is the mother’s infection with Brucella or herpes virus. Brucella is a contagious bacterial in dogs, and there’s no effective treatment or vaccine to prevent its spread. Dogs with brucella usually abort their fetuses between 45 and 55 days of pregnancy.

Herpes infection and dog abortion

It’s difficult to test the herpes virus in the mother, but it can be detected in aborted puppies. Herpes infection can lead to the abortion of the dog in the final stages of pregnancy and even infertility.

Diseases of the dog’s uterus

Some of the causes of female dog abortion are related to her uterus and ovary problems. Dogs with a history of abortion may have chronic endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus), uterine cysts or ulcers, and uterine adhesions.

Ovarian Disease and Abortion in Dogs

ProgesteDiseasermoneAbortioned bDogse ovaries are necessary to maintain a complete period of pregnancy in dogs. If the dog’s ovaries don’t produce enough progesterone, the placenta may not attach to the uterus and the puppy may miscarry.

Embryonic Causes of Abortion in Dogs

Embryonic Causes areAbortionly dDogso abnormal growth and premature death of the dog fetus. The fetus may have developmental abnormalities that can’t survive. Deformed or underdeveloped puppies are usually aborted early in pregnancy. The cause of this type of abortion in dogs is rarely diagnosed and may be related to a genetic disease or birth defect.

Medicinal Causes of Abortion in Dogs

Taking gluCausesicoiAbortionoramDogsicol drugs during pregnancy causes abortion in dogs. So, the prescription and use of drugs during pregnancy should be done with complete caution and only with the opinion of a veterinarian.

Reasons for dog Abortion

Sometimes it’s necessary to abort the dog’s fetus to maintain the dog’s health or some ethical issues. Some of these reasons for dog abortion are:

Unwanted or improper mating

Dog owners often decide to abort due to mating with the wrong breed or not being prepared to care for the puppies.

High-risk pregnancy

If the female dog has a chronic disease that makes the pregnancy dangerous, it’s better to abort the dog.

Hereditary diseases

Some dogs have conditions and diseases that may be passed on to their puppies. So, breeders exclude sick dogs from the mating program. But in random mating, aborting the dog may be the best option.

Inappropriate age

If the female dog is too young or too old, pregnancy may threaten her health.

Diagnosis of dog abortion

You may witness your dog mating. However, it doesn’t mean that she is pregnant. An ultrasound should be done to evaluate the dog’s pregnancy and confirm the health of the fetus. By monitoring the level of progesterone and observing abnormal levels, it’s also possible to understand the failure of pregnancy. A veterinarian may recommend tests to investigate infectious causes after a dog miscarries. Maternal blood test, vaginal fluid culture and fetal histopathology may determine the cause of miscarriage. 

Treatment or prevention 

A fever in a dog during pregnancy may indicate an infection. Infections are usually treated with intravenous ( IV ) fluids and antibiotics. Treating the infection prevents the dog from aborting and if the fetus is aborted before treatment, it reduces its complications.

Also, if a dog has a suspected hormonal imbalance, a progesterone supplement may be recommended. This medicine should be taken daily until the dog gives birth under the strict supervision of a veterinarian so that the hormone remains at a normal level and the side effects of the medicine are avoided.

Dog abortion methods

The following methods are used for the abortion of dogs:

Hormonal drugs

One of the most common ways to terminate a dog’s pregnancy is before the fetus is 45 days old. Because if the drugs are taken early enough, the fetus will be absorbed. Medicines must be prescribed by a doctor and procured from reputable centres.

Sterilizing a dog during pregnancy

In this method, in addition to abortion, your dog will lose her ability to conceive forever. The practicality of this method and the health of your dog depends on the stage of her pregnancy. The closer the sterilization time is to the end of pregnancy, the greater the risk of surgery for the dog.

Complications of Abortion in Dogs

Side effects of dog Abortion depend on its method. In general, the following complications may occur:

• The use of prostaglandin F2 alpha may cause nausea, diarrhoea, restlessness and tremors in dogs. In more severe cases, it may lead to the dog’s anorexia and severe blood loss.
• Prolactin inhibitors, especially bromocriptine, can cause vomiting in dogs.
• Dexamethasone has possible side effects including excessive thirst, frequent urination, uterine infection, and illness.
• Ovarian hysterectomy is also associated with several side effects such as surgical site infection.

Post-abortion care

Regardless of the abortion method, your dog may be in recovery for weeks and sometimes even months. You can keep your dog at the clinic until he is fully recovered. However, if you want to take care of him at home, don’t forget about his medical appointments. Before taking the dog home from the hospital or clinic, prepare a clean, calm and cosy environment for him to rest and recover.

For nutritional support of the dog, give supplements in consultation with the veterinarian. Watch out for any changes in your dog’s body and behaviour! If some side effects seem unusual to you, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. If the dog has undergone surgery, you must take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs carefully. Also, monitor his stitches for signs of infection, such as swelling.

To wrap up

Various factors such as infections, diseases of the female dog and the imbalance of her hormones affect abortion. However, sometimes a dog’s abortion happens without any specific symptoms. To have a healthy and lively dog, you must pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. You can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming in all these steps. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.