Hi All, My girl is on day 53 today and I have just taken her temperature (to get a idea of norm) its 36.9c, looking at normal temp is this low? If it is, any idea as to why it maybe so? Thanks in advance Angela

Incorrect technique or thermometer not working properly ??

Had she been outside near time of reading? I was told not to take it within an hour of her being outside in cold

best time to do it whenbitch has rested for an hour before taking it.

I find the the pregnancy temp generally is between 37.3 and 37.7. Lower in the morning than night time.   Get two thermometers to double check.  I generally plot/note both readings. 

What do you do if your girl will not let you take her temp & gets stressed out.

I am sure I will hear all about the hormone excuses etc BUT if you can't or are not able to  take them temperature how are you going to get a stuck puppy out?    I always find these comments along with " I dont' take her temp as I don't want to stress her out" especially as my breed can be known for being stubborn at times but every single one of my girls will happily stand and let me check them. I am super gentle, reassuring and they trust me.   If I didn't have that situation I couldn't and wouldn't ever mate them.

I can assure you 100% taking a temperature is not one little bit stressful for a happy normal bitch.

My girl doesn't like it either, it takes two of us, with her lying down and lots of reassuring and quietness. When she needs me to help her she always lets me. I think she just thinks this is unnecessary.

Maybe it is broken, did it again this morning with same result so going to pick up new thermometer later. Panicked a bit when it was so low, will let you know how I go with new one. Thanks Angela

my girl this time was very stressed the 1st time ,it took me and hubby to do her but doing it twice aday isnt to bad ,my other girls have never botherd about me taking it ,i had 1 girl that would see it come out look at me as if to say here we go again and lay down and open her legs
:-O sooo funny!!

>it takes two of us, with her lying down

I always find it's much easier (and more comfortable for the dog!) when they're standing up.

I always used to take their temperature when they were standing up too.

Our vet does it standing, but Maddie always wants to sit down and i hold her head, i'm worried that the thermometer breaks or hurts her, when she's on her side if she's kept calm i have more control of it. But this is the first time i've had to do it. How do you make them stand for it?

I used to stand with my legs either side of them,  face towards the tail end, then put my left hand underneath, towards the back end, in order to sort of prop them up. This way l could use my legs, and hand ,to steady them. I hope this makes sense - l don't seem to have explained it very well.

As far as i am awarethe bitches temperature should be lower than a non pregnant bitch towrads the last ten days......

so her temperature being this low could very well be correct....but it should be going up and down very slightly,i have a bitch here whos temp goes as low as 36. something and then will shoot back up to 37.something but be nearer the 38 mark at night.i agree a temperature is normally higher at night..

get yourself a pen and paper take temperature at 8am 12pm 5pm and 10pm,everyday from now onwards.make sure shes been resting so isnt overly warm or been outside ect....then over the next few days if the temperature drops and stays there( i always go with any temperature below 98 and sticking there)labour COULD start anytime between 12-24 hours....

having said that ive known bitches to have no signs what so ever and just pop a little puppy out!!

theyre all different arnt they,but generally id say no nesting no digging no diarea (sorry bad spellings i know) no puppies as yet  

this is a bitch and puppies we're talking about so anyone thinking ive given wrong advise please correct me....

good luck ill bet you cannot wait i love hearing about pups.x..x.x

Well took it at 7pm tonight and it was 37.9c with new thermometer, so will continue 2x day, have no problem taking it - just ask her to stand and shes fine, just thought what happens when I use 'stand' when I'm back showing her LOL.
Thanks for the advice
Angela

LOL she will be waiting for you to stick it up and be looking at her back end :-O

How do you make them stand for it? ask them if that doesn't work , tell them to :-)

They can't sit down if you have a hand underneath the belly holding them up. :-)

I have to say I take my bitches temperature 3 x a day so when it does drop I can pin point it! All my bitches though as soon as they see the thermometer thrust their bums in my direction and wait for it LOL

I get the point, it seems most can do it no problem, this wee girl was my Mums, she came from a farm, not puppy farm, but she barks and my Mum was worried about complaints, she wasn't socialized or trained, my hopes were to keep a pup to show. I've not had to do temps before on any of my previous bitches, but don't think it would've been a problem as they were show trained. You need three hands with this coat. lol

My girl is on day 56 and her temperature is 37.8 in the mornings and 38.5 in the evenings - mid size terrier - if that is any help to the original poster.
Just thought I would add - Poundland have some fantastic digital thermometers (in the baby section) - accurate, quick and easy to use - and obviously only a pound!!

wow thanks for that :) i think i will be going to get some ,great to keep in my whelping kit :)

Well her temp dropped on Wed to 37c but the big giveaway was her checking out every dark corner on Thurs am, got out of the shower to no dog - looked everywhere then noticed understairs cupboard open - was in there making herself comfortable LOL, took her to her whelping box in my bedroom - next thing she was in the bedding drawer in the divan - finally got her to stay in her box and she whelped on Friday between .30-5am (9 pups 1 dog/8 bitches)
So my tips for temp taking are start early (she was 5 days early from one and only tie) and dont use it in isolation - in her case behaviour was the biggest giveaway.
Thanks for the advice that resulted in a very happy outcome XX

a big congratultion to you and your girl :) my girl went 5days early too :) x