I believe it’s fair to assert that each dog proprietor regards their little furry companions as members of their family. They ensure that these pets feel cherished, joyful, and, most importantly, in good health.
When a pet owner perceives that something is amiss with their four-legged friend, they go to great lengths to uncover the issue.
Therefore, when Christian Pautsch realized that his dog, Bonnie, wasn’t behaving normally, he opted to take her to the veterinarian.
A Trip To The Vet
Since Pautsch saved Bonnie from the streets, he had to delay her spaying appointment as she was in her heat cycle. Upon noticing her unusual behavior, he suspected that perhaps his beloved border collie was expecting puppies.
He had this suspicion because he also owned another dog, a mix of German shepherd and Australian shepherd named Heinz, whom he attempted to keep away from this lovely girl as much as he could until the procedure could be completed.
After performing a comprehensive medical evaluation, the vets concluded that Bonnie was experiencing a phantom pregnancy.
A phantom pregnancy, also known as false pregnancy, occurs when a dog exhibits maternal behaviors and possible signs of pregnancy even though they are not actually pregnant.
Common indications include vomiting, fluid retention, loss of appetite, restlessness, and nesting behaviors. Some dogs may even display signs of false labor. Generally, treatment is unnecessary since symptoms typically subside within 14 to 21 days.
Incorrect Diagnosis
However, just a few days later, Bonnie went into labor and astonished her owner with a litter of 11 delightful and healthy puppies.
“Just two days after the vet’s visit, she went into labor during the night. My wife, Stefani Jacoby, stayed awake with her all night until all the puppies were born. They’re all thriving. From the start, we began assisting Bonnie in feeding them, and now they’re a wonderfully happy and lively group of pups,” he shared in an interview.
Pautsch playfully remarked that perhaps he didn’t do as good a job of keeping the puppies separated as he had believed.
Nonetheless, Pautsch witnessed how excellent Bonnie was as a mother and he truly cherished the fact that Heinz also helped out.
Fast forward to now, and a few puppies have already found loving homes, whereas their furry parents are still seeking potential places for the remaining pups.
It is crucial to mention that Pautsch highlighted the fact that the veterinarian specializes in equine care, hence he did not hold it against him for the minor oversight. And how could he? The tiny puppies are the most adorable creatures he has ever seen!