My breeds seem to whelp anything up to a week early, and I've never had a problem with it.  I've been ready for pups, everything sat here waiting, for over a week now.

My girl was day 63 on Sunday.  Only the one mating.  She was panting a little on Saturday, and I sat with her all night - nothing happened. 

Today is day 64 and she is happily eating, not terribly active, but she is HUGE. I have a vet appointment for booster jab tomorrow with one of my boys.  I think he can wait, and I'll take my girl instead.  At least my favourite vet is on. 

But I have never had a bitch go past day 63 before, and it's worrying me.  Can anyone tell me just how overdue is safe please?  Oh, and movement is fine, it doesn't feel anything like dead puppies.

hi jean im sure she will be fine but id take her instead of your boy ,is this your girls 1st litter ? and maybe even tho she only mated once her eggs could have not been ready and it took upto a week for sperm to get to them (just a thorght!) hope all goes well ,and good luck :) x

Sadly the only experience I have of being 'late' ended in a section for primary inertia on day 66 - basically I called time with the vet who was happy to "wait and see" - I most certainly wasn't and it nearly ended in me being thrown out of the practice.  When he opened her up her uterine horns were like flacid balloons just crammed to the brim with puppies - there was no tone to it at all - he said that if we had left it any longer we would have been in a very sad situation.  My girl had 12 puppies, all were healthy and survived - and of course mum was ok too - average sized litter for my breed is approx 6/7.  I never had a second litter from her so have no idea if it would have re-ocurred.

I sincerely hope things work out ok for you and that your wee girl starts soon!  Lots of luck!

'They' say that 7 days over is OK but that's not been my experience.

For me, that's the importance of temperature taking.  If the temperature drops and then elevates to above the normal late pregnancy temperature of 101.5, then that's an indication that the pups should be out and veterinary intervention necessary to save the pups.

Thanks for your replies.  The vet has given my girl a thorough check over, and she isn't dilated, normal temperature etc.  He said the pups aren't ready to be born, and wants me to leave her 24 hours.  As she isn't unwell, and is eating just fine, I will leave it until tomorrow afternoon.  Phew!  Wears you out, all this worry, doesn't it?

I really thought that it was going to happen on Saturday night.  Sat up in bed reading all night, with her next to me, so I could be ready to lend a hand.  She happily laid next to me, farting all night!

Just wanted to say, go with YOUR instincts ;)  you know your bitch best and will know if there's something amiss ;)

Hope she gets going soon :)

My vet would never do anyting until the 70th day, if mother and pups seemed fine (ie pups were still moving) that was in a small breed.  Supposedly somebody's dog in my breed went 9 days over and had a healthy litter.

> My vet would never do anyting until the 70th day, if mother and pups seemed fine (ie pups were still moving) that was in a small breed.  Supposedly somebody's dog in my breed went 9 days over and had a healthy litter.

Thanks for telling me that!  It's reassuring to know.  She had her fish at teatime (hide the Panacur in it!)  Wolfed it down.  And has just had a huge bowl of puppy food.  She is totally happy to lay on her back and ask me to stroke her tummy, and doesn't seem in the least distressed.  The movement of pups all feels perfectly normal. 

So really, it's me that has got the jitters, because she is overdue, as opposed to her acting as if something is amiss.  It's just that I want to do whatever is best for her.  And, now that I know others have had perfectly healthy litters, I feel better about it.  Having recognised inertia in 2 bitches previously, she doesn't give me any reason to think there is a problem.  I just worry until they have safely whelped, and it doesn't matter how many litters you've had, you just don't want anything to go wrong.

Hi Jean,

Just wanted to wish you luck for your litter and i hope your girl gets going soon so you can stop worrying. Your right it doesnt matter how many times you have whelped a litter it is scary every time.

All the best
Mandy x

'They' say that 7 days over is OK but that's not been my experience.

For me, that's the importance of temperature taking.  If the temperature drops and then elevates to above the normal late pregnancy temperature of 101.5, then that's an indication that the pups should be out and veterinary intervention necessary to save the pups.

Could not agree anymore with the advise above.

For me that is why it is vital to take the temperature it warms of trouble. If I don't have labour started 24-36 hours after the " true" temp drop I know that there is a hold up.

My vet would never do anyting until the 70th day, If that was me I would change my vet personally. Thank Goodness at times vets listen.

> For me that is why it is vital to take the temperature it warms of trouble

I haven't had any changes in her temperature.  Going to recheck again in a couple of hours.  I have to say that, apart from being big, and looking uncomfortable, she is absolutely fine in herself.

It is now day 67 and I have just got back from the vet.  The vet I saw said she isn't ready.  I can feel pups moving just fine.  So, it's on with the vigilance as normal!

Dont think we are trying to panick you.. honestly :-)

I take the temp from 7 days before exactly 12 hours apart so I get the base temp. From 3-4 days before I will check it every 8 hours. I note it and it has been spot on for me every time. EVEN when there are not other labour signs.

Blue, I have to say that they have never had any problems.  So as everything in life what is suitable for one, isn't always so with another.  There are usually other signs that makes you know that there's something to worry about.

Inertia is in most cases not visable till it is too late and puppies are often lost. Not all but the first few can be. This is common in dogs.

When you say "they" have you had experience of late whelpers in your own breed?  Just a general curious question.

I don't personally know any breeds that general go past the 63 days.  UNLESS of course people have the calculated dates wrong.

> She had her fish at teatime (hide the Panacur in it!)  Wolfed it down.  And has just had a huge bowl of puppy food.  She is totally happy to lay on her back and ask me to stroke her tummy, and doesn't seem in the least distressed.  The movement of pups all feels perfectly normal. 
>

doesn't sound as if anythings coming over her. best of luck

Jean eating is always a good sign :-)

I must say my vet also won't do anything until day 70 espacially is everything else seams ok

Linda

> Just wanted to say, go with YOUR instincts ;-)  you know your bitch best and will know if there's something amiss ;-)
>
>

That's what I'm hoping Dill.

I once had a girl that wasn't even due for a week, and just knew something wasn't right.  Vet said she had no milk, temp normal, wasn't dilated etc.  That was 7pm, and her waters broke at 10.55pm and she didn't have a single contraction.  This girl is totally different.  She looks uncomfortable, due to her size, but is a happy little bunny.  Raced up the garden with the others earlier.

I have had her vet checked twice for my own peace of mind, and I'm not daft enough to leave her for a second.  But my gut feeling is, that she is just not ready.

Have to laugh!  I am always saying that I have such lucky genes, not having grey hairs at my ripe old age.  I shall be white by the time this is over! 

> Supposedly somebody's dog in my breed went 9 days over and had a healthy litter

Oddly, the vet that I saw today has actually experienced a natural whelping at day 72 with live puppies, and mum just fine.

DAY 72!!!!  I shall be a nervous wreck!  

All the while that the puppies are strongly active they're fine. When birth is more imminent the gradual contraction of the uterus and opening of the cervix limit their movements so they become much 'quieter'.

That's what I was trying to say also JG.  Blue, has happened with a few of our Pomeranian's in the 29 years of owning them.  My Spanish though always have them on the day or a few days before, some a week before, so I'd be worried with a Spanish, but it was a Spanish that I mentioned who had them about day 72, I couldn't believe it either but the owner said it definitely was, don't think it was that small a litter either.

Totally agree the only contradiction that you will see with this is when they are packed full to the brim of pups. Quite often the whelps get tight and you can see them shaping from the exterior.

I would be ill at 72 days :-)  glad to hear positive ends as so often they are not. We all have to go with the guidelines we sent ourselves.  I have never had a little go to 63 days so to go over would generally mean a sections.

All the while that the puppies are strongly active they're fine.
Just because you can see active pups doesn't mean that there's not another one that's in distress and can cause problems for the other viable pups.  That's why an abnormal temperature rise is an indicator that veterinary intervention is necessary.  And when did you last hear me recommend going to a Vet?? :) :) :)

good morning, have you had the puppies yet, well not you but your girl ha ha!!!! Di x

> have you had the puppies yet

Yes thank you! :-)

After I saw the vet again on day 67 I took her temperature at 8pm.  It was 37 - her waters broke at 8.30pm.  At 8.50pm a little girl was born.  She went on to have another 4, so it was a large litter for the breed.

I knew her due date spot on, as she was only mated the once.  But, as the vet said (and another earlier poster), that was not necessarily the date of conception.  However, she has 3 girls and 2 boys, and is very happy with them.  They are very strong puppies, and suckling well. 

It doesn't matter how many bitches you've whelped, it just goes to show that things can happen that you have never experienced before.  Have to say that I'm glad it's over, I was like a cat on a hot tin roof!

Great!.  A ride in the car often gets things going. :)  Pleased you've had a good outcome.

Jean that's brilliant! :-D

So glad it went well for her and you :-D

and lots to choose from if you're keeping one - hope they're well marked/coloured too :)

Aww brilliant, well done.

many congratulations jean! :)

thank goodness all went so well, congrats xx

I'll close this now your litter has safely arrived. Congratulations!