What is Abortion?
When a dog becomes pregnant by accident, it may be necessary to terminate the pregnancy. This is done after much investigation into the reasons for the pregnancy, the need to end it, and the safest method of proceeding. The method of ending the pregnancy will depend on factors such as the age of the dog and whether the owner hopes to breed her in the future. An owner may decide to end the pregnancy of their dog if the female is too young to carry a pregnancy safely, or if the accidental mating happened between disproportionate partners. Your veterinarian will take steps to ensure that your dog is indeed pregnant before going through with a treatment.
An abortion in a dog can result due to a termination of the pregnancy by the veterinarian as requested by the owner. The spontaneous event of unplanned abortion is known as a miscarriage. There are numerous reasons why a planned termination of pregnancy may be necessary, such as protection of the health of the mother or accidental mismating of canines. In the majority of situations, spaying the dog is a preferred alternative to inducing abortion.
Abortion Average Cost
From 52 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$450
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Abortion in Dogs
Choosing to terminate the pregnancy of a canine is not one that is taken lightly. There are many cases, however, of a dog getting away from the owner while in heat, thus creating a worrisome situation. Chances are the owner is now wondering whether the family pet will now bring puppies into a world full of dogs needing homes. In other cases, a purebred dog may mate with an undesirable partner, or a pet who has not been spayed due to the plans for future breeding becomes pregnant before the owner’s desire.
When a female dog is in estrous (or commonly known as heat), she is receptive to a male dog’s for about a week but is actually only fertile for 3 to 7 days approximately.
If she becomes pregnant and an abortion takes place, whether spontaneous or planned you will see bleeding for a few days after the event.
Causes of Abortion in Dogs
The termination of a pregnancy may be decided upon for a number of reasons.
- A purebred female is impregnated in a mismatch
- The mating dogs may be disproportionate in size, with a larger male
- The owner does not want to add puppies to the present population
- The owner feels the dog is too old for a healthy pregnancy
- The dog is too young (she has become pregnant at her first estrous)
A spontaneous abortion may occur for reasons like nutritional deficiencies, death of the embryo, or bacterial infection.
Diagnosis of Abortion in Dogs
Before a pregnancy is terminated, the veterinarian will want to confirm that your pet is indeed pregnant. You may have witnessed the mating take place but this in no way confirms if conception occurred. A vaginal smear can be done to verify the presence of sperm; however, this does not mean that your canine companion has conceived. In order to be sure if your pet is carrying puppies, an ultrasound at 25 days gestation may give evidence to the fact. Some pet owners may want to have the potential pregnancy avoided; this will need to be discussed with the veterinarian, and it may be better to have the pet spayed.
Treatment of Abortion in Dogs
Your veterinarian can give you the best advice as to which method is safest and most effective for your pet, based on the stage of pregnancy. Ovariohysterectomy (spaying) is the complete removal of the ovaries and uterus. It is very successful in terminating and preventing pregnancy. This is typically performed early on in a pregnancy. A veterinarian may find it difficult and uncomfortable performing this procedure on a canine in late pregnancy, very understandably so.
There are other methods that can be used to terminate a pregnancy in your dog. Discussion with your veterinarian is absolutely necessary as you make a decision as to what will in the long-term, be the best solution for your dog and for you as the owner.
Prostaglandin injections, given for 4 days, stop the hormone progesterone and are 80% effective in ending a pregnancy by causing the uterus to contract, making the pregnancy nonviable. The fetuses are reabsorbed. Dexamethasone is injected twice daily for 10 days at 30 days gestation; the fetuses are either aborted or reabsorbed. Prolactin antagonists are an oral medication given twice daily at 35 to 40 days gestation, causing the fetuses to be aborted in 3 to 5 days. Side effects like cramping and increased thirst and nausea have been noted with these methods.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Abortion in Dogs
Some pet owners prefer that their pet remain at the clinic for the entire time of the procedure due to the possible unpleasantness of the abortion procedure and results. As well, some canine owners want to ensure the termination is complete before bringing their pet home. This is a personal decision that you will want to discuss with your veterinarian.
If your pet had an ovariohysterectomy, she will need rest and quiet when she returns home which is usually the day after the surgery. She may have skin stitches and therefore needs to remain quiet with leash walks only for exercise. Your veterinarian will advise you of the follow up appointment necessary after your pet has been spayed.
Medical conditions resulting in an abortion can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.
Abortion Average Cost
From 52 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$450
Top
Abortion Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Staffy
Zarah
9 Months
16 found this helpful
16 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pregnant
My Staffy X Kelpie has grown nipple size after her heat and freezes when i touch her belly. i'm pretty sure shes pregnant but I'm not sure if i want to keep them. I've been doing a lot of research and i'm not sure how it will affect her. She's 9 months, she was abused and neglected and in quite bad shape when i got her,. THe father is a border collie X. I just want to right by her. while she is a happy, confident dog now, i just want to know what would be the best option for her mentality? i want to bet by her, money and everything else aside.
July 27, 2018
16 Recommendations
You should visit a Veterinarian to determine whether she is pregnant and to discuss spaying her whilst she is pregnant especially if she is not too far along; without examining her I cannot say whether or not she is pregnant or just having some hormonal issues (false pregnancy or similar); there may be some maternal behaviour after terminating a pregnancy or spaying whilst pregnant but it is normally short lived once the hormones are out of the system. The sooner you visit a Veterinarian the best chance there is for a fast result and castrate your Collie as well if you’re not planning on breeding him. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 28, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Bullmastiff
Bear
8 Months
6 found this helpful
6 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Lethargy
Frequent Urination
I have an 8 month old female puppy who was recently in heat and her father got to her. I am pretty sure she is pregnant. I cannot afford anymore dogs right now and I was always told not to let them get pregnant on their very first heat cycle. What can I do? I am a college student right now and every vet I ask wants $250 or more to fix her. I need help. I think she is in pain, she won't let anyone but me barely touch her let alone touch her belly.
July 9, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Unless there is a low cost spay/neuter clinic near you, there isn't anything else to do but have her spayed at one of the veterinarians near your house. If you don't have her spayed, and she is with an intact male, she will continue to get pregnant, and you will continue to have puppies. You can ask one of the veterinarians in your area if there is a low cost spay/neuter clinic available.
July 10, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Mix
Lucy
3 Years
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Depression
Sulking
My nearly 3 year old Lucy was in heat when she escaped and was bred. I found her attached to the male dog and they were connected for about 30 minutes. I immediately scheduled an appointment to have her spayed and the vet said it would be best to wait until 3 weeks after she was bred.
She had the procedure and the incision is healing nicely, but today she seems almost depressed. If I want her to come or even just stand up, she goes limp and will not come when called or when the leash is attached. She is eating just fine - possibly a bit less than usual, but I’ve been treating her more than usual lately trying to keep her spirits up.
Could this depression or sadness be caused by the hormones that she was experiencing and now is not? How can I tell the difference between her hormones rebalancing and a general lethargy (which my vet warned me that if I saw, I should bring her in for a checkup.)
My vet is not open today and will not open until Monday. Are there any precautions I should take to make sure she’s okay? If this is just a hormone imbalance, is there anything I can do to help her feel better? (Besides the obvious pampering and petting she’s already swimming in! 😅)
Thanks for any help. I love my pup and want her to be happy and healthy.
April 28, 2018
8 Recommendations
Hormonal changes can causes lethargy in dogs especially after spaying, this most likely is down to this if the spay was done in the last week or so; general lethargy is also a concern but for the meantime you should monitor Lucy and make note of any other symptoms which present. If she is still lethargic by Monday you should visit your Veterinarian to be on the safe side especially if it has been more than a week or two since the spaying. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
April 29, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Anerican Cattle Dog
Sparkle
2 Years
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pregnant
I got a 2 year old 31 lb female American cattle dog as a foster from an owner surrender in 2/25/18. She went to our vet 3/1/18 where she got a DHPPL and nasal Bordatella vaccination. On 3/14/18 it was discovered that she is pregnant. An ultrasound was done where at least 4 beating hearts were doscovered. We are now concerned about the effects of the vaccinations on the fetus and our vet has suggesting aborting the puppies due the the exposure to the vaccinations. What is your opinion of this. I would also like to know what are the risks and cons of the vet performing a spay abortion concerning how it will effect mom short and long term. Thanks!
March 17, 2018
8 Recommendations
The American Animal Hospital Association’s guidelines on vaccination of pregnant dogs is as follows:
“Vaccination with MLV (attenuated) and/or killed (inactivated) vaccines during pregnancy should be avoided, if possible, to avoid potential injury to the fetus. There are exceptions, especially in shelters, where vaccination would be advised if the pregnant dog has never been vaccinated and there is risk of exposure to a highly pathogenic virus (e.g., CDV, CPV-2).”
Due to the possible risk of vaccinating an immunocompromised mother or infecting unborn pups due to transplacental infection abortion may be recommended by your Veterinarian; the stage of pregnancy is important, however pregnant dogs are spayed on a regular basis especially in shelters. The side effects of spaying a pregnant dog are usually related to the change in hormones and the effects that has on the dog. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.aaha.org/public_documents/professional/guidelines/caninevaccineguidelines.pdf
March 17, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Blue Heeler
Daisy
8 Months
7 found this helpful
7 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Vulva Is Swollen
Vulva Is Swollen In Heat
I have a 8 month old blue heeler and I just noticed this morning that her vagina was swollen so I assume this is her first heat. I let her out of the house and now I am scared that she got pregnant by another dog on the street. She is getting spayed in two weeks. Will that terminate the pregnancy if she is pregnant? I don’t want puppies because I can’t afford them and that would be wrong to bring them in the world and I don’t even know who the father is.
March 10, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. If Daisy is going to be spayed in 2 weeks, that will terminate any possible pregnancy very early. When we spay dogs, we remove the ovaries and uterine horns, so there is no chance of pregnancy. I hope that ll goes well for her.
March 10, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Abortion Average Cost
From 52 quotes ranging from $300 - $2,000
Average Cost
$450
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
