Hi
My bitch is on day 60 of her pregnancy (or day 58 from 2nd mating). I've been taking her temperature 3 times per day at the same time for a week now and her temperature dropped to 36.4 two days ago, then went up to 37.2 and has dropped back to 36.4-36.6 since yesterday morning at 7am and stayed at this temperature since.

She seems ok in herself, just very tired and breathing heavily plus she's lost a bit of a green mucus discharge since last night but only a tiny amount so I don't think its the plug?

I spoke to the vet this morning who told me not to worry and to let them know if her symptoms change.

I just wanted some advice as I've done so much research on the actual birth but everything I've read and been told said if her temp drops suddenly and stays down for 24hours she will have puppies very soon.

I stayed up with her all night last night and I won't leave her side until she's had them. Just wanted a bit of advice from other people who may have experienced a similar thing with their bitch.

Also, this is Ruby's first litter, I've also been told the first whelp is usually a long drawn out one!

Please note I have researched breeding since I got my dog as a puppy, she's the right age for having a litter (2yrs) and has a good hip score and elbow score and the sire is a KC champion with good hip, eye and elbow scores. I'm not a backyard breeder.
(Just wanted you to know before you comment as I've seen some really nasty comments in other forums!)

Thanks in advance!

I also have 5 books next to the whelping box including the book of the bitch but none of these say about the temperature drop lasting so long without seeing any other signs of labour developing :-/

You need to remove the breed from your post or Admin will.

I've never had much luck re temp taking, in theory labour is suppose to start within 24hrs of the final temp drop[ not temp staying down for 24hrs]and it rising again.

The first stage can go on for over 24hrs without much outward signs of action or it can be over in a few hours with obvious contractions seen.

I hope the discharge you saw wasn't dark green as this indicates a placenta has seperated meaning that before any pups are born this is an emergency and a vet visit is needed.

The plug is like stringy egg white, if the bitch keeps herself clean then you may not see it.

Hope she gets down to business soon for you.

I tried to remove the breed from my post but it wouldn't let me edit :-/

It was a pale green whitish mucus, she's been licking a lot and her breathing is getting faster. Her temperature has just gone back up to 37.4. She seems very restless at the moment.

She's just started to pant so maybe this could be the start?

I have had them go for 48 hours and I thought it was about to happen although never do the temperature drop test I'll admit.
I would be concerned if I saw anything green. As has been said it should be white/clear stringy.
Hope all goes well. I'll be in your position myself in a couple of weeks.

Hi, I don't think I'm going to be of much help, but thought I'd say like you I read as much as I could in advance of our litter. (Born last week, same breed) I too took the temperature 3 times each day 37.1 most of the time, it dropped to 36.4 and she did have her 1st pup 24 hours later. She did heavy breathing for 24 hours, only in last hour did she do really loud heavy panting, I must say I was expecting it to go on longer so she caught me by surprise when 1st pup arrived. Also she had pale green mucous for 24 hours. Sounds like yours is getting close. Good luck!

My girl is now nesting a lot in her box. She's also had two episodes of all over body shivers which I'm assuming could be the contractions.
Fingers crossed for some very healthy puppies tonight! :)

Hope you have the coffee on

wishing you and your girlgood luck ,mine are4weeks now and im just starting to get 4-5 sleep anight :)

Fingers crossed you have puppies by now :)

Any news

i keep poping back to look ,hope all is ok?

All is very well thanks. My girl had her first pup at 4.50am this morning. It was a very long night but worth it to see 7 very healthy puppies come out the end of it :) mum and pups are all doing really well.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Great news!

Congrats on the new arrivals

great news :)