My girl is now day 61 from first mating. This is her 3rd litter and she is a fantastic mum. On Friday (day 59) she refused her supper but was otherwise ok. I took her to bed with me, just in case and spent a relatively sleepless night as she is a licker.....face, hair, anything showing is licked, bless her. Yesterday she didn't eat until supper time when she had a small amount of tripe, she had already refused her scrambled eggs. My husband and I are now sleeping shifts so that she is not left alone. Today she has eaten little until I gave her some mince which she wolfed down and promptly sicked up again. I think that labour is imminent but I wish she would hurry up. She is usually so predictable, doesn't eat, puppies within 12 hours. Should I be worried? She has gone early before(toy breed).

What's her temperature doing? 

Day 61 is still a bit on the early side.  I only assume that labor is imminent if the temp has made a plunge.  What and whether she is eating doesn't really tell me much.  First stage labor usually begins quite soon after the dip in temperature:  panting, digging, shivering.  This can go on for hours and hours, though.  My female gave birth a week ago Thursday (on April 21st), and she went 22 hours between the onset of stage one labor (together with the temperature drop) and the first visible contractions (small breed).  Then she whelped her first litter (5 puppies) in 90 minutes!

Day 61 is still a bit on the early side.

Not for most toys. I've had them born as early as day 55. I've only twice had litters born past day 60 with any live pups (both those litters also included dead ones).

I guess yours is the breed on the left in the avatar, I breed I well recognise.  My goodness, I've never ever had puppies born before day 59!  Day 62 has been about average (43 litters). 

How is it going this morning?

Day 62 today , she is very settled and eating bits ate time so not really worried now.  Haven't checked temp as I can tell from looking at her when it drops, was just worried when she stopped eating for a couple of days. She has gone 5 days early in the past but first mating was quite early, day 9 so not too worried if she goes a bit over a couple of days. We have had a litter of 7 born day 56 and they were all fine.

It is usual for my breed to whelp on day 56.  Very rare that they carry for longer.  Pups are viable and fully developed.  I would be having a seizure if mine went to day 62!!!!

Maggie went into labour early this morning, first puppy girl, very small and weak but has now rallied. Next 2 born sleeping had birth defects. Little boy next and is fine, then. Tiny tiny boy born sleeping. Last of. Lovely little girl who is fine. Last litter for her and me. Can't cope with anymore losses.

I feel for your loss and sad for the sleeping puppies.  I hope your two girls and boy puppy continue to thrive.

I am so sorry for the loss of the sleeping babies. I hope that the others go from strength to strength and fill your heart with joy.

Sending you hugs and love x

Oh how sad for you and Maggie.  Hopefully things will go from strength to strength from now on.

So sorry for you and your girl, enjoy the puppies x

Oh, I'm so sorry.  That is very, very hard to accept.

May I ask someone to explain what it means:   "A puppy was born sleeping."  I never thought about whether the puppies are awake or asleep when they come out.  What happens if a puppy is born sleeping?  Is it something on the order of a coma?  In other words, "sleeping" means unconscious?  I've never heard of this.

Thank you all so much for your good wishes. I just do not understand what went wrong. She has had  2 previous litters  7 and 5  with no problems. Poor wee toot is now looking for her other puppies, who said dogs can't count?

Nimue, it means they were stillborn.

Oh how sad. I feel so sorry for you.  I am glad that a couple of pups have survived.  You can put everything into them.

So sorry to hear of your lost puppies. I hope your girl settles soon, and raises the other three successfully.

My sincerest condolences.  After the long wait this is doubly heartbreaking.  I hope that Maggie settles, I know from experience that they grieve.  My thoughts are with you.

Sleep sound little angels.