I have a 12+ year old entire bitch.  This morning she was very slow eating her breakfast which is unusual for her.  She's now lying in the lounge quietly and I've noticed she appears to be 'contracting' to the point of looking as though a puppy is imminent!  There is now way she's in whelp, hasn't had a season for ages.  She looks quieter than normal but no panting as if she were in whelp.  Her gums are a very good colour.
Will be phoning the vet as soon as they open - any ideas?

Does she have a high temperature?

>There is now way she's in whelp, hasn't had a season for ages.

That would concern me - bitches don't have a menopause, but remain fertile all their life.

Just tried to take it, she's not at all happy me going near her rear end, as though she's in pain??  On my own so will keep trying and hope I can take it soon

The apparent contractions suggest abdominal pain - is your vet open yet?

    There is now way she's in whelp, hasn't had a season for ages.

That would concern me - bitches don't have a menopause, but remain fertile all their life.

Me too, but this probably is 'just' some gastric problem going on - she needs a vet.   Only you can tell whether this can wait for normal opening hours, or not.

Seen vet - temp of 103, bladder and bowel empty and uterus fine.  He seems to think its an infection on her tail!  She injured it somehow in the forest on Sunday, did bleed a lot but kept clean and only appears to be like a graze - had a/b and metacam jabs so we wait and see, still contracting!  Can't understand why and vet had no idea either.  Fingers crossed she'll perk up soon...

Her temperature's up a little; keep an eye on it to make sure the ABs bring it down.

Don't want to scare you,  but I would want to see the vet to eliminate the chance of it being tetanus -  which can cause muscle spasms.

It would be an unusual presentation,  but...

The contractions are very concerning; not usual at all.

If she's not been spayed, I'd be suspecting pyometra :-(

Me too, expecially with the contractions. Something is hurting in there.

Did the vet scan her? He did he decide that the uterus was healthy?

Hope she's ok, x

She's not been spayed - vet said her bladder and bowel were empty and her uterus felt normal.  Is putting it down to the infection on her tail - still not sure, have to wait and see how the ab's work.  She does seem much calmer now, contractions have stopped!

If it's just the infection on her tail then the medication she's been given will have made a dramatic effect by now, and within 24 hours she should be back to normal. (But make sure you complete the course of meds!)

She is much calmer now, even wanted some dinner.  Not keen to let me anywhere near her rear end as yet though!  Had injections today, start tablets tomorrow am... I;ll be happier when I can actually see what damage she has to her tail.