Metoestrus II lasts for approximately 70 days. Which option best reflects this phase?

• A. Metoestrus II lasts for approximately 70 days
• B. No external signs
• C. Corpus Luteum continues to secrete Progesterone
• D. Can cause false pregnancy (Pseudocyesis)

Answer: (A)

Metoestrus, the luteal phase after estrus, is driven by progesterone from the corpus luteum to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. The defining timing of this phase is its length: about 60–90 days in dogs, with around 70 days being a common average. That makes the statement about lasting approximately 70 days the best reflection of this phase, because it captures the typical duration clinicians use for planning monitoring and care.

While the corpus luteum’s progesterone production is a true feature of this phase, and pseudopregnancy can occur due to that hormonal effect, these aspects don’t define the overall timing as clearly as the approximate 70-day duration does. External signs can vary and aren’t reliably consistent enough to characterize the phase, so a duration-focused descriptor provides the most representative answer.