During a recent webinar, I was met with a surprising flurry of questions about “morning sickness” in pregnant female dogs. And I must admit: this topic, intriguingly, was never part of my studies in canine reproduction, nor prominently featured in veterinary scientific literature. Yet, the concept wasn’t entirely foreign to me. Some clients had mentioned it in passing, but I hadn’t given it much thought until now. Prompted by the webinar’s curiosity, I turned to human medical literature, where morning sickness is well-documented. Maybe some parallels and insights could be drawn? This journey inspired me to pen this blog, in which I share practical knowledge essential for dog breeders and offer insights into potential solutions. Whether you’re a seasoned breeder or a curious pet owner, this piece aims to enlighten and guide you through the lesser-known aspects of canine pregnancy.
- What Do We Mean by Morning Sickness?
- What Causes Morning Sickness?
- How Can You Identify Morning Sickness in Dogs?
- How Does Morning Sickness in Dogs Differ from Other Causes of Vomiting?
- What Are Effective Ways to Manage Morning Sickness in Pregnant Dogs?
What Do We Mean by Morning Sickness?
Understanding Morning Sickness in Humans
In humans, morning sickness is, almost, a common experience during pregnancy.
It primarily involves nausea and vomiting and indeed affects up to 80% of pregnancies.
Typically, the onset of nausea occurs within the first four weeks following the last menstrual period, often peaking around the ninth week of gestation. 60% of cases are resolved by the end of the first trimester, and a significant majority (91%) abate by the 20th week.
The Severe Form: Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Hyperemesis gravidarum represents the extreme clinical expression of morning sickness in humans.
Characterized by severe nausea and vomiting, it is observed in 1-3% of women with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
It can lead to hospitalization, malnutrition, weight loss, vitamin deficiencies, and low birth weights.
Morning Sickness… in Dogs?
Gestation in dogs lasts approximately 63 days. So if we extrapolate from human data, assuming a similar pattern, morning sickness in dogs might begin early in the pregnancy and peak around mid-gestation before resolving.
In my practical experience, I’ve noticed that the first symptoms of nausea and vomiting in dogs usually manifest around 3 weeks into gestation – and they rarely last more than a few days.
However, when I look at the potential complications described in humans, especially in the case of hyperemesis gravidarum, it does feel like this is something we need to pay attention to. Proper weight gain during gestation in canines is somehow a marker of a healthy pregnancy, and low birth weight in puppies is identified today as a risk factor for neonatal mortality…
Remember though that all this remains purely speculative, as there’s no definitive scientific literature on morning sickness in canines as I mentioned at the beginning.
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What Causes Morning Sickness?
While canine-specific studies on morning sickness are lacking, exploring human medical findings provides in my opinion useful conjectures.
| Hormonal Changes in Pregnancy | Morning sickness in women is closely linked to significant hormonal fluctuations that occur during pregnancy. Key hormones like estrogen and progesterone for instance play pivotal roles in this phenomenon. Notably, the levels of these hormones are directly correlated with both the frequency and severity of morning sickness symptoms. This correlation suggests a complex interplay where these hormones, essential for maintaining and supporting pregnancy, might also trigger the body’s nausea and vomiting responses. |
| Blood Glucose Levels | Studies indicate that women experiencing more severe bouts of morning sickness often have lower blood glucose levels. Conversely, when morning sickness is absent, blood glucose levels tend to be within the normal range. This relationship highlights the impact of blood sugar levels on gestational health and the body’s response during pregnancy. It suggests that maintaining balanced blood glucose could be key in managing morning sickness symptoms. |
| Oxidative Stress | Oxidative stress is a state where there’s an imbalance between free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells) and antioxidants in the body. It plays a notable role in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and its severe form, hyperemesis gravidarum. Interestingly, oxidative stress is both a result and a trigger of both conditions. The greater the oxidative stress, the more frequent and severe the symptoms tend to be in humans. |
| Nutrition during Gestation | In humans, the link between maternal diet and the incidence and severity of morning sickness underscores the importance of a complete and balanced diet. Studies have shown that women who consume adequate seafood, vegetables, and water before pregnancy tend to have a reduced occurrence of hyperemesis gravidarum. In contrast, diets high in calories, carbohydrates, and added sugars, particularly from soft drinks, are often associated with increased symptoms. Vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin B, have also been proposed as potential contributors. The general trend indicates that a well-rounded diet, potentially supplemented with multivitamins, can be beneficial in reducing morning sickness symptoms. |
| Genetics | Genetics plays a notable role in the development of morning sickness in humans. Studies have shown that if a woman has a family history of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, she’s more likely to experience similar symptoms. This suggests that certain genetic factors passed down through generations, can predispose some women to morning sickness. It’s as if these women inherit a higher likelihood of experiencing these symptoms during pregnancy. |
How Can You Identify Morning Sickness in Dogs?
Identifying potential signs of morning sickness in female dogs is essential, not only for prompt and appropriate care but also to discern whether these symptoms are a normal part of pregnancy or suggest other health concerns.
However, it’s important to remember that morning sickness in dogs isn’t widely detailed in veterinary scientific literature. This means that while we can speculate about what morning sickness might look like in dogs, such observations are largely based on extrapolation from human cases.
Vomiting or Gagging
The most apparent indicator of potential morning sickness in dogs is vomiting or gagging, which might be more noticeable in the morning. This could be due to their stomach being empty after a night without eating, leading to the expulsion of bile, a yellowish or greenish fluid, signifying an empty stomach.
Interestingly, in humans, despite the name ‘morning sickness’, these symptoms don’t always occur strictly in the morning; they can happen at any time during the day.
This suggests that if dogs do experience a similar condition, we might observe these signs at various times, not just in the morning.
Changes in Appetite
A noticeable change in appetite is another significant symptom – and I find that this is the one most commonly reported by owners who believe their female is suffering from morning sickness during pregnancy.
Dogs experiencing this condition may show a reduced interest in food, or in some cases, may become more finicky about the type of food they eat.
This fluctuation in appetite is often a response to nausea and stomach discomfort.
MODIFIED Behaviour
Another symptom to observe is a change in social behaviour. Dogs with morning sickness may become more withdrawn or less active than usual. They might seek isolation or, conversely, become more clingy to their owners. These behavioural changes can be a response to feeling unwell.
Increased lethargy or a noticeable decrease in energy levels can also be a symptom of morning sickness in dogs. They may seem unusually tired, have less interest in activities they usually enjoy or spend more time sleeping.
How Does Morning Sickness in Dogs Differ from Other Causes of Vomiting?
| Timing and Consistency of Vomiting | One of the most distinguishable features of morning sickness is the timing of the vomiting. It typically occurs in the morning or after a long period without food, usually on an empty stomach. This contrasts with vomiting due to other causes, which might happen at any time and often shortly after eating. However, remember that studies in humans tell us that this can happen anytime during the day! |
| Associated Symptoms | Morning sickness in pregnant dogs often comes without other severe symptoms. In contrast, vomiting due to other health issues may accompany additional signs like diarrhea or significant weight loss, or changes in stool. |
| Changes in Behaviour and Appetite | While changes in behaviour and appetite can occur in both morning sickness and other vomiting causes, the nature of these changes can provide clues. In morning sickness, particularly during pregnancy, appetite changes are often temporary and mild. In contrast, other conditions may lead to more pronounced and persistent changes. |
| Response to Dietary Adjustments | Morning sickness due to pregnancy or an empty stomach often responds well to simple dietary adjustments, such as more frequent, smaller meals. However, vomiting caused by other health issues may not improve with these changes and could require more specific treatments. |
What Are Effective Ways to Manage Morning Sickness in Pregnant Dogs?
While the direct evidence in canine cases is sparse, insights from human healthcare provide a basis for tailored care approaches. These strategies aim to alleviate discomfort and ensure the well-being of pregnant dogs.
Genetic Selection?
Genetics could play a significant role in the prevalence and severity of disorders like morning sickness in dogs, as has been pointed out in humans.
If certain breeding lines within a kennel appear to experience these symptoms more frequently, particularly in their more severe forms, it’s a crucial factor that should be carefully considered in the kennel’s genetic selection program.
By acknowledging and addressing these genetic trends, dog breeders can make informed decisions to enhance the overall health and well-being of their dogs. Integrating this understanding into breeding strategies not only helps in reducing the incidence of such issues in future generations but also contributes to the overall improvement of the breed’s health.
Adjusting Feeding Habits
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to manage morning sickness is by adjusting the dog’s feeding habits.
Smaller, more frequent meals can help prevent the stomach from becoming too empty, often triggering morning sickness. This approach also helps to maintain a stable blood sugar level, reducing nausea.
Ensuring that the female dog eats regularly is equally important, as pregnancy toxemia, a disorder observed in dogs, can occur if she does not consume adequate food during gestation. Vigilant monitoring of food intake is, therefore, essential to anticipate and potentially prevent such complications.
Choosing the Right Food
Choosing the right diet for a pregnant dog potentially experiencing morning sickness is vital, with a focus on providing a complete and balanced nutritional profile to prevent any deficiencies. On top of that, a diet that is easy on the stomach, with a high digestibility, is always more appealing in these situations and less likely to upset their stomach.
Incorporating antioxidants into their diet can be particularly beneficial, as these can help combat oxidative stress associated with morning sickness. Therefore, selecting diets that are supplemented with antioxidants should be a priority.
I also frequently recommend incorporating wet food into their meals and adopting a mixed feeding approach, as this generally enhances the food’s palatability, making it more enticing for the dog to eat during this sensitive period.
When feeding a female dog during gestation, it’s crucial to remember that it’s a two-step process. Puppies gain about 70% of their birth weight in the final 20 days of gestation. Therefore, we typically use a maintenance diet or a diet formulated for the first part of gestation until day 42, and then switch to a more energy-dense diet, like a puppy diet, during the last 20 days.
This means that all the elements we’ve discussed, including ease of digestion, a complete and balanced nutritional profile, the inclusion of antioxidants, and enhanced palatability, should be present in both diets to adequately support the mother and her developing puppies throughout the entire gestation period.
Medical Treatment?
In human medicine, most cases of morning sickness do not require medical intervention, but in certain circumstances, anti-emetics are prescribed to alleviate symptoms, particularly when they are severe.
The decision to medicate hinges largely on the severity of the symptoms. Keep in mind that in humans, In severe instances such as with hyperemesis gravidarum, hospitalization may be necessary due to dehydration and the need for intravenous fluid therapy. This approach to human care can offer insights into managing similar conditions in dogs.
For pregnant dogs, close monitoring of weight during the first 42 days of gestation is crucial, as they should not be losing weight during this period. A decrease in weight can be a key indicator that medical intervention may be necessary. the need for medical treatment and ensuring the health of both the mother and her developing puppies.
I’m glad I took the time to explore the human scientific literature on morning sickness, and it’s been intriguing to find many clinical parallels in canines. This journey through human studies sheds light on potential approaches to similar conditions in dogs, and I’m hopeful that future research will provide even greater clarity for veterinary applications. In the meantime, it’s encouraging to realize that there are practical, and sometimes simple, measures that can significantly ease symptoms in pregnant dogs.
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