“My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs

The purpose of this review is to present reasons for pregnancy loss in dogs. Termination of pregnancy can occur at any stage of gestation, sometimes even before pregnancy is diagnosed. If embryonic death occurs before day 35 of gestation, the embryo is absorbed. Fetal death in the second half of ges...

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Main Authors: George Mantziaras, Maja Zakosek Pipan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Veterinary Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/2/127
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author George Mantziaras
Maja Zakosek Pipan
author_facet George Mantziaras
Maja Zakosek Pipan
author_sort George Mantziaras
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of this review is to present reasons for pregnancy loss in dogs. Termination of pregnancy can occur at any stage of gestation, sometimes even before pregnancy is diagnosed. If embryonic death occurs before day 35 of gestation, the embryo is absorbed. Fetal death in the second half of gestation leads to abortion or fetal emphysema, maceration, or mummification. Abnormal embryonic development, competition between placental sites, or genetic abnormalities of the embryo(s) can lead to termination of pregnancy. Maternal factors that alter ovarian function or the environment in the oviducts and uterus, such as cystic endometrial hyperplasia or inflammation, can lead to pregnancy loss. Abnormalities of the placenta, uterine torsion, metrocoele, environmental stress, and malnutrition can have detrimental effects on fetal development. Several drugs or medications can also have embryotoxic/teratogenic effect. Endocrinological disorders such as hypoluteodism, gestational diabetes, and hypothyroidism can be reasons for pregnancy failure. Several bacteria, protozoa, and viruses can cause pregnancy loss in dogs. Etiological diagnoses of pregnancy loss in dogs are challenging as the exact causes are not always obvious; so, a multi-faceted approach is required.
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spelling doaj-art-3dd7fcab3e004ad6b2ca4482b98ce77b2025-08-20T03:11:18ZengMDPI AGVeterinary Sciences2306-73812025-02-0112212710.3390/vetsci12020127“My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in DogsGeorge Mantziaras0Maja Zakosek Pipan1Independent Researcher, Small Animal Practitioner, Kifisias Avenue 22, 15125 Marousi, GreeceClinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaThe purpose of this review is to present reasons for pregnancy loss in dogs. Termination of pregnancy can occur at any stage of gestation, sometimes even before pregnancy is diagnosed. If embryonic death occurs before day 35 of gestation, the embryo is absorbed. Fetal death in the second half of gestation leads to abortion or fetal emphysema, maceration, or mummification. Abnormal embryonic development, competition between placental sites, or genetic abnormalities of the embryo(s) can lead to termination of pregnancy. Maternal factors that alter ovarian function or the environment in the oviducts and uterus, such as cystic endometrial hyperplasia or inflammation, can lead to pregnancy loss. Abnormalities of the placenta, uterine torsion, metrocoele, environmental stress, and malnutrition can have detrimental effects on fetal development. Several drugs or medications can also have embryotoxic/teratogenic effect. Endocrinological disorders such as hypoluteodism, gestational diabetes, and hypothyroidism can be reasons for pregnancy failure. Several bacteria, protozoa, and viruses can cause pregnancy loss in dogs. Etiological diagnoses of pregnancy loss in dogs are challenging as the exact causes are not always obvious; so, a multi-faceted approach is required.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/2/127canine pregnancyinfertilityabortionresorptionendometritis
spellingShingle George Mantziaras
Maja Zakosek Pipan
“My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs
Veterinary Sciences
canine pregnancy
infertility
abortion
resorption
endometritis
title “My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs
title_full “My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs
title_fullStr “My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs
title_full_unstemmed “My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs
title_short “My Bitch Is Empty!” An Overview of the Reasons for Pregnancy Loss in Dogs
title_sort my bitch is empty an overview of the reasons for pregnancy loss in dogs
topic canine pregnancy
infertility
abortion
resorption
endometritis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/12/2/127
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