Abortion in Dogs

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.  

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.