Milk production from a false pregancy?

[BlargKing]

Hey there. New guy here, made an account here specifically to ask about this since I couldn’t find out much by googling. 

I’ve got a couple rabbits, right now though I’ve got a bit of a question about my 5 year old female dwarf rabbit.

She’s had a couple false pregnancies in the past, but its just been as far as plucking fur and making a nest. However I picked her up today and noticed some of her (Im not sure what the specific term is, so I’ll call them nipples) were swollen and when I applied a gentle pressure to the swollen ones then some thin white-ish fluid comes out. I’ve had baby bunnies before so I’m familiar with bunny milk and it seems to be just that. I dabbed the fluid onto a paper towel and smelled it and I didn’t notice any bad smells so I’m fairly certain theres no infection.

Theres absolutely no way she can be pregnant. I only have one male and he’s fixed and in a separate room.

I’ve never heard of a false pregnancy causing milk to be produced before. I guess its quite possible if its a hormone related thing. Is there anything I should to care wise other than keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn’t get infected?

Thanks for the help!

[jerseygirl]

It is possible for them to lactate during a false pregnancy. The elevated progesterone would be responsible and it also loosens the fur in areas they pluck for building a nest. It should resolve once the falsie is over. You’ll need to keep an eye on the teats, watch for mastitis.

Has your male been neutered for a while? Sometimes false pregnancies can be trigger buy just the scent of an intact male. They hormones could probably be dectected for several weeks after neuter. If he has been long term neutered and she has been having repeat false pregnancies with zero contact between them, this would be cause for concern. Given her age and repeat episodes, she is at high risk uterine cancer and/or other infections like pyometra and hydrometra. Changes in uterine tissue can be the trigger of these episode. I would highly recommend getting her spayed after the false pregnancy has resolved.

[Aki]

Yes, lactation is not uncommon during false pregnancies and quite concerning as it can lead quite easily to mastitis, as jerseygirl said. Repeated false pregnancies are really not good for your doe and, with another rabbit in the house, they are not likely to stop. She’s also at high risk for uterine / ovarian cancer and the risk increases every year. I also really recommend spaying your rabbit while she’s still in a good enough condition to take an operation. Again, as jerseygirl said, wait until the false pregnancy has resolved because it makes the blood flow in the uterus which increases the risk of hemorraghe during the operation, but it would be advisable to do it immediately after it ends.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Aki on 7/01/2016 2:58 PM

Yes, lactation is not uncommon during false pregnancies and quite concerning as it can lead quite easily to mastitis, as jerseygirl said. Repeated false pregnancies are really not good for your doe and, with another rabbit in the house, they are not likely to stop. She’s also at high risk for uterine / ovarian cancer and the risk increases every year. I also really recommend spaying your rabbit while she’s still in a good enough condition to take an operation. Again, as jerseygirl said, wait until the false pregnancy has resolved because it makes the blood flow in the uterus which increases the risk of hemorraghe during the operation, but it would be advisable to do it immediately after it ends.

This.  I only learnt of this in the last 12 months or so. Their bodies truly behave as if pregnant. 

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