Molly is the 1st bitch we've had for around 40 years, so quite a learning curve in some ways. She is booked to have a laproscopic spay next month, around 3 months post her 1st - and to be only - season. My slight concern is the size of her undercarriage. She is not showing any signs of a phantom pregnancy and does not have milk, but her mammary area is quite large and pendulous, more so than I thought would happen. She is otherwise slim and fit, and is now just over 16 months old. I'd be grateful if those with experience of bitches can say if this is how she will be for ever or are these glands likely to reduce in size.
Ahh...it could be a phantom pregnancy. I know every bitch is slightly different, with Bramble her mammary area became puffy, and she only had a tiny leakage from one err...bosom. Might be worth checking in with the vet in case anything else is going on, as beleive they may consider postponing if she has high levels of hormones.
We had to defer Vanillas spay by about 2months due to various issues after her first season. I would get the Vet to check as @Beanwood said. You never know and if they have to treat anything etc. better to know now than on the day.
I see you've made your decision to see the vet already, but I agree with Sven and Beanwood. Cassie's mammary glands were huge about 4-8 weeks after being in season and with the phantom pregnancy. They are all different of course. They subsided gradually, and by the time she reached the 14 weeks post season, which is when my vet said the optimum spaying time begins they were really tiny and you can hardly see her nipples now.
Thanks selina27. I've got an appointment booked for tomorrow afternoon. Your description of Cassie's glands and nipples convinces me even more that something's not right. We've just come back from a walk where we met a couple with a young black lab - entire. He went immediately to Molly's rear end, sniffing furiously and amidst all the excitement tried to mount her! Fortunately she rolled upside down and although was happy to play leaping roaring around games with him, didn't encourage mating. I hope we can get this sorted before the spay date 18th September as I'd rather not delay it if at all possible. Thanks again for your help.
Well, its a phantom, as you all predicted. Got some jollop Molly has to take for the next 6 days to force her hormones to 're-align'. The spay has been delayed until 12th October. Thanks for your advice everyone, this forum is indeed a good, helpful place.
Thanks for your concern selina27 and Naya. There's only 1 more dose of the med to go after today and as yet Molly's mammary area is still enlarged, doesn't seem to be any different at all. The vet did say it should be noticeably reducing in a week, so perhaps by Friday she may look different. In herself she seems exactly the same. She hasn't shown any obvious signs of a phantom, nesting or anxiety to get back when we're out or anything like that. That's why I was surprised that it was happening. Molly is still very puppy like and playful with us, asking for lots of attention and interaction. If nothing's different by Friday, we'll be back to the vet as there must be something else going on. Fingers crossed.
Thanks again Naya and Sven. I must admit I would be more worried if she wasn't so happy and playful still. Its odd
@FayRose , I think the whole phantom pregnancy thing is just odd! It doesn't seem to follow any logical sequence at all, which is why I find it quite bizarre. As far as I can conclude they are all affected differently, with symptoms varying so much from gathering toys for a day or two to nesting for weeks and big bosoms etc. Poor Cassie I think was on the extreme end of the spectrum .
I think you're absolutely right selina27. I can only be thankful Molly hasn't had the same experience as poor little Cassie. I'm just keeping fingers crossed that the jollop will work very soon and reduce Molly's mammaries down to normal.
