Is it normal for a females breast to harden during a false pregnancy?

[iris986]

Is it normal for a female dogs breast to harden during a false pregnancy? She has had 2 heats between January 7th and May and is now going through a false pregnancy. her breast are hard around the nipples, but no fever. Everytime we were ready to spay her she dropped back into another heat.

3 days ago i took her to get a baby booster and she started acting weird when i got her home, she hasn't eaten anything and up until today hasn't drank by herself, substituting with gatorade from a syringe. She is also hiding behind my chair and not playing.

I have given her childrens benadryl but to no effect. She is not throwing up or having diarrhea and doesn't seem to be in pain although her eyes look dull and her nose is wet. My baby border collie is even leaving her alone which is unusual.

What do you think is wrong?

[Kimberly Coyner, D.V.M., DACVD]

Vaccines can cause temporary lethargy for a day or two in dogs as in people, but if she continues to not eat well or act normally, then you should take her back to your veterinarian for exam +/- bloodwork.

[iris986]

My female is drinking, has a cold wet nose, pooping and peeing normally and does not have fever and the knots around her teets are just milk ducts drying up. So why would all of the sudden right after a baby shot would she stop eating. I put her and her food in her crate today and as long as i wasn't looking she started to eat.

Last night i told her i would give her a piece of candy and she ate her whole bowl And if i put hot water or anything on it she will eat.

So, why all of the sudden has she stopped eating her dry dog food? Is she just being stubborn?

[Kimberly Coyner, D.V.M., DACVD]

The mammary glands can become quite enlarged during a false pregnancy, but should not be hard, inflamed or painful. I worry that she is not eating well and seems dull, and I recommend taking her to your veterinarian for examination to make sure that she does not have a mammary infection/mastitis or uterine infection/pyometra.