Hi

Another question, our pregnant bitch is getting a it hot in the evening and panting. I dont think shes going into labour as  this has been going on for a couple of weeks but she seems to get awkward, warm and a bit panty I assume shes just pregnant??

If I go by 63 days (9 Weeks) and the first tie that is next Thursday is this roughly correct wandering when I should start sleeping down stairs in case she goes into labour?

Panic

Yes panting isn't unusual -lots of extra weight to carry of course. Count day 58 as the first possible day to give birth so best start sleeping downstairs no later than Saturday. Many bitches give birth early.

Probably best to start sleeping in the whelping area at least a week before , my girl recently surprised us by having her babies 8 days early . Thank god i was ready and everything was organised.

I've had bitches whelp on day 56.  I don't think you can ever be too careful.

If they come on day 58 still viable pups I assume?

The first tie was 9 weeks next Thursday and 9 weeks Middle tie a week Saturday with a third the following Wednesday (she stood for a long time and was more reseptive in the mood later in the standing period the Thursday was first day she would stand).

I assume you go by the first tie to be safe?

Mine has gone gone warm aswell, which surprized me.  She sounds more wheezy than panting but i think they're under the ribs.   I've counted from today to be ready and marked the other tie dates to give me an idea.

Our girls are about the same timing.  I didn't sleep very well last night incase she started.  i was worried i'd not hear her, she slept like a baby including snore lol.

Panting serves two purposes in the canine.

One, to cool the dog by removing warm water vapour in the outbreath, by getting the heat from the core of the body to the lungs, by way of the blood stream.

Two, to take oxygen around the body and remove carbon dioxide.

When a bitch is in whelp, the available space for the expansion of the lungs, by the stretching downwards of the diaphram, can be moderately to severely hindered by the squashing effect of the growing pups.

Panting, therefore does not neccessarily mean too hot.

A heavily pregnant bitch can be very uncomfortable. pups sit up under the rib cage, so normal posture is difficult. short breaths can be the norm in cases where a bitch is carrying a large litter (or small litter with larger pups)... we see this as panting,

I am noticing very different behaviour for the 1st time... I have one girl who is very heavily pregant and another girl carrying 2 pups (average litter for my breed is 8)  one girl is very uncomfortable, and has been panting for the last couple of weeks, not in any distress, simply making herself comfortable in any way she can.... The other girl is bouncing around completely oblivious to the fact she is due to whelp tomorrow :-)  She is breathing normally, can still curl up into a ball to sleep comfortably, while the other girl spends her time pacing, fidgiting and drawing short breaths...

Keep a close eye on your girl, whelping can begin anytime so never take anything for granted..

and yes, pups can be viable from day 58.. my last litter arrived 8/9 days early and all 9 were good strong healthy pups. slighly smaller birth weights, but by 8 weeks, had pretty much caught up to average size and weight.