Hi all

My girls on day 52 since first tie & last night she was having more jelly clear discharge than normal spent the night licking where she was lying. Today she refused breakfast. About 12 she ate some then vomited it all up. Twice now she's been outside & having loose jelly like diahorrea. I'm really panicking she's going to go into early labour.

Any advice. Obviously I will see how the next couple hours go & phone my vet if this carries on.

Chill out.....it's all normal. She's full up and her gut is getting squeezed. If she starts panting, digging and shivering then she is in first stage labour.
I hope you don't mind me saying but....pregnancy is not an illness and back and forth to the vet with a healthily pregnant bitch is not something I would do.

Thanks tooolz

Really hope she's ok, I knew the last part would be the worst but gosh it's worse then when I was pregnant it would be just our luck to get this far and run into problems..

That's made me feel better. No I've only been to vets twice since she became pregnant. Once for her scan & yesterday cause my vet wanted to do a overall check & weigh in. She's asked I go back next Friday for final check & weigh. Do you think I should cancel this?

I'm trying to put myself in your position....it's tempting to expect vets to be your 'Go to' expert in this situation but in reality most vets don't breed dogs, they usually only see abnormal whelpings and in truth, are little help in a normal run of the mill whelping.
Taking her to a place where a number of sick dogs gather ..probably isn't the wisest thing to do when she is, in fact, healthy and normal.
An expert dog breeder, someone you can trust, is a better bet for remote assurance and help over the phone.

Wouldn't going into early labour involve a severe drop in temperature?  Did you measure it?  What is it?

Toolz you are amazing and that is exactly what I think too.

Yes as I said I'm not running there with her every wk...

I wouldn't worry. Increased discharge and a bit of vomiting is normal. When she goes into labour you will know all about it! It is unmistakeable. Can you see or feel any movement yet?

Maybe best to start taking temps now morning and evening to get a baseline and look out for the drop, if she'll let you.

Whether you want to take her for another vet check is your choice. It isn't strictly necessary, although after my recent experience of primary inertia I am considering doing it the American way from now on and having an x ray done near day 63.

Try to stay calm...save the frantic anxiety for this time next week ;)

Thank Ruby

Yeah I can feel them moving and kicking which I just adore

I will try to remain calm. Just tried her with dinner she's not up for it. So will see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully she will pick up then.

I have no idea how I will be coping with my anxiety this time next wk it's all coming round so quick.

Thanks though. I feel better now. Xx

> I will try to remain calm

No two ways about it.  You need to do more than try.  Your anxiety should not be picked up by a pregnant bitch.  She needs your vibes to be positive and relaxed.

Take yourself in hand.  Give yourself a good talking to.  (You put her in this position remember.)  And acting calm and relaxed,, done often enough, will be much better for your girl.

As Jean says....keep calm!
This is not an illness, a drama or a crisis.
Many bitches whelp perfectly normally and because of this we don't hear about them....you do however see and read a lot about the problem ones which are the minority.

It's what makes the world go around.

Never been asked to take a bitch for a check and weigh in? What is that all about?
I would question that as totally unnecessary.

I'm not sure as it's our first time at this, she said it was for a check over & final weigh in. I think I will just cancel it. As everyone's said no point taking her to somewhere unnecessary.

> I'm trying to put myself in your position....it's tempting to expect vets to be your 'Go to' expert in this situation but in reality most vets don't breed dogs, they usually only see abnormal whelpings and in truth, are little help in a normal run of the mill whelping.<br />Taking her to a place where a number of sick dogs gather ..probably isn't the wisest thing to do when she is, in fact, healthy and normal.<br />An expert dog breeder, someone you can trust, is a better bet for remote assurance and help over the phone.

I'd totally agree with this advice.  BUT only you can see/know your bitch so it really is down to you to call the tune.   If you feel she's not right, then do get expert advice much as as said, not many vets have ever actually bred or whelped a normal birth.    Clearly your vet is taking a belt and braces approach so if things do go wrong, he's covered (me cynic) but again as said, sick dogs go to vets and personally I'd not risk my bitch in the middle of that, much as I guess he could examine her outside in the car?   And for this reason, I prefer not to take mine anywhere near a vet unless at the end, they need a C.Section.

Any updates Axe97?

I would not be taking her that close to her due date!  Not necessary at all in my opinion. Why do you need her weight? If for records, is she light enough breed to lift and weight at home.
One of my girls picked up a tummy bug from vets whilst having a csection ( so had to be in there), pups got it at 2 days old. An experience I would not like to repeat, lost pups to it.

I don't want to take her and her weight to me is fine from all I've read. It was my vet who said I should return. Guess I thought the checks would be ok. But now I see other wise and will not be going.

She's fine. Day 54 today. No more vomiting or the runs. Still looking miserable though but what do I expect. I was miserable with one in my belly.

I did expect to see more growing of her tummy these last couple of wks. Maybe it will happen this week.

Axe97 - Hope you don't mind me asking, out of interest, do you pay for checks and weigh-ins or are they free?

I don't mind :-)

No the weighs & checks are free.

Ah that's good.... Was wondering about the vets motive for it but if you don't pay it can't be that.

Hope everything goes well with the labour and birth

I'd only ever take a bitch to the vets after mating her for the two herpes vaccines or if there was a problem (unless an immediate emergency I'd consult a mentor first). Even if the vet suggested she went in for monitoring throughout I'd politely decline as there is no need. Nothing can possibly be done to prevent preterm labour, monitoring weight gain or "checks" will not make it any less likely of problems. Unfortunately/ fortunately, depending on your point of view, vets do not have the knowledge/ equipment/ tests available as that of obstetricians to get an accurate internal picture of the pups before they arrive, so IMO there is very little point of involving the vet unless obvious problems have already occurred (infection, c section required, herpes vaccine etc). Other than that, as already mentioned, the risks of coming home with an infection are far too high for my liking.

Thanks guys. Made the decision we won't be taking her next wk for sure. As all mentioned the checks won't be useful to us at this point.

She's tired today no wonder. Feeling the kicks and movement getting stronger :-) and seen one moving under the skin this morning!! love it.

Really can't wait for things to start.