My bitch is due to whelp anytime over the next week. She has had a mucous discharge which I know is normal but should I worry if it gets stringy. She is still eating, no digging etc. Was not sure whether to take her to vet in morning to be checked out. Have had litters before but this one going a little different all the way through. She is quite big now.
Any help / advice please would be appreciated.
Diane

no stringy discharge is quite normal nothing to worry about as long as it does not smell at all, what day is your bitch on?? any diarrhoea from her?  Lea x

My bitches have stringy discharge for several days before whelping.  Be aware, however, that bitches can have their puppies early.  One of mine went 5 days early.  Just be prepared, are you taking her temperature?

Approximately day 55 but of course as I am anxious, I have been looking up posts and sites and one said this was the puppies releasing themselves so I have been really worrying. I lost a whole litter once before so am naturally always dreading a repeat of this. This was her Mum who by the way had two litters wthout any problem. This is Heather's first litter and she is 4.
Diane

Thanks. Am so relieved that you have said the stringy discharge can take place several days before puppies born. Yes keeping my eye on her all the time as I realise they can be born viable anytime from now.
Many thanks Diane

no stringy discharge is common in the last week as zajak says, this will increas in volume the closer she gets to whelp and then the mucus plug will be released so dont worry yourself its quite normal x

Hi
Sorry to ask again but when you say several days how many days might this be. Took Heather to vet yesterday and they did a scan and said from what they could see might be next few days but no sign yet apart from the occassional digging. Still eating OK. I wouldn't have been concerned apart from the stringy discharge which seems to have been quite a few days ago now.
many thanks
Diane

I had a bitch that had the stringy discharge for a couple of weeks before she whelped. It's nothing to worry about so long as it stays clear.

Thanks for that. As you do when you are worried and I searched the Internet someone seemed to be saying that this was when puppies released themselves so of course I was seeing puppies no longer attached inside.
Diane

Do you have a copy of the Book of the Bitch, by J M Evans and Kay White? It's invaluable at this time ;-)

It actually states that From about the 35th day there is likely to be a discharge of opaque or white mucus so no need to panic :-)

Yes I have this book and several others too. I have had several litters but never had a discharge of this amount obvious just coming up to due date. Last couple of days has just been a small amount of mucous and I can see puppies moving around in there. Just panicking as you say, this litter is long awaited and very special to me.
Thanks I will post when the puppies are born.
Trying to relax now and not watch the kettle as they say
Diane

> I can see puppies moving around in there.

As long as you can see them moving, the oxygen supply must be fine.  Good Luck!!

Good luck Diane, look forward to hearing news soon. Hopefully she won't keep you waiting too much longer!

X

Good luck x

Thanks Katy
Bet everyone thinks I am going off my trolley but I can't concentrate on anything else. Trouble is my others did not have such an obvious discharge as she has had and I have been looking for reassurance from others. She is not to due date yet and the puppies are still kicking in there. Rachel had a litter of Australian Shepherd's 6 weeks ago and she gave them no clue and had the first puppy on her Mum's bed!!!!
Again my others have given me a definite 2 days warning but panicked earlier in this week as I took her out for a walk, only got yards down the road and she kept looking back to her rear end. Vet scanned her said all looks OK although pups big and active and did not think she would be long. Here I am two days later and she is eating well so no sign yet.
We are not leaving her alone, as I can dash back in an emergency but on pins all the time.
Speak soon.
Diane

If she is still eating i wouldnt think she would welp yet, ours usually dont eat for a couple of days before welping, i hate waiting for them to start it makes me anxious, and my hubby is terrible he panics and fusses, i have to send him out, but not too far away lol x , good luck im sure things will be fine.

I don't know, Ellie happily ate breakfast and lunch, then had her puppies in the evening!

> don't know, Ellie happily ate breakfast and lunch, then had her puppies in the evening!

Wow, you just never know do you?

You're right, you just don't know. Lottie had her breakfast and tea and went for a couple of short walks (or rather waddles) shortly before delivering her litter.

> You're right, you just don't know. Lottie had her breakfast and tea and went for a couple of short walks (or rather waddles) shortly before delivering her litter

Just shows you cannot take your eyes off them when near to due date,

>You're right, you just don't know. Lottie had her breakfast and tea and went for a couple of short walks (or rather waddles) shortly before delivering her litter.

My bitch came for her normal walk at 10 am and then produced her first pup at noon nearly 3 years ago ;-)

Now Saturday. She has been panting and resting evening and overnight but no straining at all. My first litter went for two nights and then started having puppies the next morning. She now sleeping and very quiet although not in her box because when I come out of the room she wants to come with me.
Still only seen some clear mucous but this is normal.
Diane

> My first litter went for two nights and then started having puppies the next morning. She now sleeping and very quiet although not in her box because when I come out of the room she wants to come with me.
>

I've had a bitch go two nights like that.  When proper labour started it was such a relief!  Wanting to be with you is normal too, some of them get quite anxious and need you there.  Bless 'em, they do put their trust in us..

Have  a feeling she may do the same. Just called the vet so they are aware she is probably on the way as of course now the weekend.
Will post progress as I know it.
Diane

Hope you get you pups very soon, good luck x

Well folks, we have taken delivery of 12 puppies overnight and are a bit shell shocked but mother and babies all doing well so far. Started about  11.30 with a girl who although tiny, I think had struggled through feet first and we were prepared she might not make it but she rallied very quickly. Then what seemed to be one after the other she had another 5 which we were told on the scan. Then had a rest before starting again and had 5 pretty much close together. Thought 11 was going to be it then about 4.30 she had the last one. 6 girls and 6 boys. Could not believe it but oh so relieved.
Not had a litter this size so can see it will be fun but so relieved and wanted to say many thanks for your posts and the reassurances. We learn each time and this was certainly a different pregnancy and whelping that I have had before in more ways than one.
best wishes
Dianex

OMG 12 puppies, great to hear all is well,

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