Hey guys, I've been reading these boards for weeks now and gained lots of useful info but not posted myself until now. My girl is a large breed and on day 55/56 depending on which day you count as day 1. Anyway, I've been chatting her temp the last couple of days 3 or 4 times a day and it's been a steady 37.3 or 4. This morning it's 37.0 and she didn't look well (ears back) and restless within an hour or so her stomach was gurgling like mad. She's been in and out of the garden with diarrhoea (latterly clear jelly, Def from her bum) and then sickness (white froth). Refused all food and drink. Within 2 hours her stomach has settled and she's eaten scrambled eggs and drank some water. Her stomach is no longer gurgling and she's resting nicely. Temp still 37. Do you think this may be the very beginning of the beginning or just a slight upset tummy?

My bitch had extremely loud - worryingly loud! - gurgling belly 2 or 3 days before whelping along with diarrhoea. The temperature will fluctuate naturally but I'd guess you've a few days still to go. Can't comment on large breeds but in my small breed you're looking for a drop of 36.9 or below. Although from what I gather the drop isn't guaranteed, it has been reliable for me so far.

Thanks for replying. Yes!! That's exactly what it was like here too! Her stomach was growling and gurgling like mad! Her temp was 36.8 @ 3pm but 37.7 (the highest it's been) at 7pm. I've just taken it now and its 37.5. I'm pretty certain this is not the drop and spike to indicate labour is imminent but feel I should sleep with her now just in case. Do you think I should?  She ate a small meal this evening and seems fine in herself and has been since her episode this morning. Thank you!

Could have been a false reading earlier but I'd take her into bed with you (or sleep near her if you're not willing) tonight just in case..after I'd seen 36.8 and those symptoms I wouldn't leave her at all...i wouldn't be too surprised if she starts digging and panting tonight!

I tried bringing her to bed with me but she lay on my bed for about 3 mins then took herself off back downstairs. She's now flat out on the biggest settee snoring her head off so I guess I'll take the small one lol

My girls temp has been around 37.4 but has dropped this afternoon - 36.8 at 3pm and 36.5 @ 5.20pm. Do you think this is her 'drop'? Thank you

> Do you think this is her 'drop'

I have never found temperature taking reliable.  So I never, ever take it.  Preferring to rely on my experienced eye.  I only have to look one of my bitches in the face to know.

I agree, in this case the temperature seems to be very variable day to day.

When she's well swollen up at her back end, the milk is down and her behavior changes you'll know it's time...at this stage it could be a few hours or a week. Only you know your girl well enough to pick up changes in her behavior, but when the time comes you will know.

I agree her temp is fluctuating somewhat, by 10.pm last night it was back up to 37.3. I guess the reason for my uncertainty is that I've seen the pre labour indicators for a week or so. Her bits became enlarged and puffy about a week ago, loss of stringy clear mucous for the last week. Her shape changed also from the barrel shape to hanging low.  This, coupled with her short bout of illness and temperature chart led me to think things may be progressing. She's nested a few times albeit briefly and this last couple of days has much preferred the whelping box to sitting with me on the settee, which became the norm from the moment she became pregnant. As you've probably guessed this is our first litter

This morning she keeps going right down the bottom of the garden behind the shed in the garden waste heap. I'm guessing she's looking for somewhere private. I daren't let her out alone any longer and have a good torch for night time

Boxers often have a long drawn out first stage labour with lots of panting and shivering.
Sounds like she's just about to go into this could be tonight or tomorrow...but you will know.
Keep her on the lead in the garden as you don't want to dig her out at night nor want her covered in soil.
In my long experience if whelping boxers you will have plenty of time as nothing seems to happen in a rush.
( only once around 25 years ago, I had a bitch on the sofa with me and out popped a puppy... Never happened again and for ever more... the sound of panting, like sawing wood, for hours and hours  has been the norm)

Thanks for replying so quickly. She's fast asleep now. No panting or anything. I can feel pups moving and she's had a small meal. Thank you for your help and advice x

She's definitely preparing for first stage labour if not quite there yet. This waiting stage is pretty nerve wracking. Hopefully you see some movement this evening...my bitches would typically act like this for a day or two then kick it up a gear around 11pm before starting to push at about 3am although of course my breed is different.

Thanks Ruby. I think we may be too but the uncertainty and not knowing for definite are driving me nuts. Once I know we're in labour I'll be fine lol. Thanks for your replies and experiences x