Springer spaniel Advice required

[chairman]

I have a 10 month springer bitch who is away for training and has been progressing extremely well.

In the four months she has been in the kennels she has had her first season at 6 months which the trainer noticed lasted some 10 days longer than he would have expected and then she had a phantom pregnancy.

She is now over and showing no signs this phantom pregnancy but the trainer is saying that she has gone from an eager intelligent bitch to one who is not attentive and is struggling to accept further instruction.

She has also started to dirty in her kennel which is very unusual.

It would appear that she has a hormone problem as all the trainers dogs are sniffing and cocking their legs wherever she has been just as if she was in season which she isn't.

I have spoken to 2 vets who both say they have never heard of the situation and suggest that we just wait to see what happens later but both the trainer and I would like to know what the possible cause and cure could be.

The trainer has fifty years experience as a trainer, spaniel breeder and is a field trial judge so it's not because the dog has gone as far as possible in her training it's just something is upsetting her balance and causing her to be all over the place just like she is in season.

Any suggestions are very welcome.

I am arranging to have her ovaries scanned later this week

Chairman

[Mochastorm]

You don't make it clear if she has been seen and examined by two vets. Blood tests and vaginal swabs may determine hormonal and gynaecological problems. There could be an infection causing a vaginitis, easily picked up if she has other dogs licking at her rear end. Pups also change and can go through that 'awkward stage' , appearing to forget all that they've been taught before they settle back to it. I'm sure she will okay.