Hi everyone !
Maiden toy bitch with confirmed 4 puppies. First litter and is showing no signs of nesting or impending whelp. Bitch tends to have quite a low running temp anyway so has been charting at 37.3-37.4 sometimes in early morning as low as 37. So no drop so far. I just came across a post here where a forum member suggested toy bitches shouldn't go past day 60. My bitch did have two matings, each with 30 minute ties 4 days apart due to limited availability of the stud owner. Should I give it a few more days before seeing a vet or would you all suggest I take her in tomorrow ? Puppies have been very active and so far she seems well in herself. No discharge or nesting though but has gone off her puppy food.
TIA x

An update as of this morning - anabelles temp has been a constant 36.7 - 37 first thing , this morning it's dropped to 36.1 then half an hour later 36.5 and now 37.1 I'm so confused ....

Bitch is now day 61 has mostly been lying on side , refuses to eat yet no panting no constant drop in temp . Vet told me to 'hang in' would really appreciate advice

Hopefully it's the calm before the storm as long as she relaxed and calm you as well by the way just leave her be and get yourself ready for the onslaught of no sleep for the next couple of weeks.

Thanks jogold , I keep thinking 'this is it' then she proves me wrong . She's currently eating some fresh chicken so I doubt it will happen today , I've been housebound for the last week so for them to get here safely, finally will be such a relief x

It's a tough one as you have four days in between matings so she could have taken on the later date -in which case she should be fine. We can't mention breed but how much does she normally weigh? Refusing to eat and laying down but no panting (or nesting?) would worry me with my toydogs (my bitches weigh 3-4 kilos). I have never found temperature taking to be of any use personally so I've stopped doing it. Unfortunately few vets know much about breeding.

She's just under 6lb, referred to as a handbag dog. She's eaten some chicken , been outside but has been resting most of the day on her side. She's possibly in the very early stages as she never lies on her own. She has taken to lying on her own on the single seater recliner nested in our fluffy throw. I'll be up tonight watching her just incase. Regretting leaving it so long between matings now. Hopefully puppies in the next few days ?

> Regretting leaving it so long between matings now.

To be honest that makes no difference as whether you have oen mating early or several the bitch could still take several days after first mating.  you only really know more exactly when they are due if you pinpointed ovulation by progesterone testing as bitches mostly whelp plus or minus a day 63 days from Ovulation (not mating).

I had mentioned progesterone testing however the stud owner has an amazing track record and so I went with her advice re day 12 and 16 , it obviously worked. Hopefully won't be too long but she is still eating this morning and seems to be walking around. She's fine in herself however was lying on her side the majority of last night, today . Will give her a few days then if nothing take her in Monday morning. Will progesterone test for sure next time takes all the guess work out I suppose   - day 62 today

You can have reverse progesterone testing done to determine if levels have dropped to those initiating birth.

As presumably today is either day 58 or 62, personally I would not wait until Monday with such a small bitch and large litter. You could either end up with an emergency section during the weekend, or dead pups. I'd see the vet today.

These are the toy breed litters I've had:
1. Day 65 (I did not recognise inertia) -two dead pups. One had been dead for several days.
2. Same bitch, day 63 -2 dead pups one live. She had been scanned with all pups live a couple of days earlier.
3. Day 59, 3 live pups.
4. Day 59, 4 live pups.
5. Day 58, 3 live pups one dead.
6. Day 55, 4 live pups.
7. Day 65 (co-owned this bitch with her breeder and agreed to wait as she said she'd had bitches go longer from this line) 2 live pups 1 dead.
8. Day 58, 4 live pups.

Thanks you I definitely won't wait howeve her temperature has been
12pm -36.6
12:20- 36.8
13:20 -36.9

Good sign I think, my vet has a 10-3pm clinic tomorrow and Sunday if she doesn't go then I will take her in tomorrow to be sure all is well with the pups , this is the first time her temp has been in high 36's for over an hour , it's creeping up but so far hasn't exceeded 37 x

Temp is steady at 36.6 I think this is 'the drop'.

Anabelles temp is creeping lower has been 36.8 or under since 12pm so I think we may go tonight or tomorrow am !! Fingers crossed and thanks for everyone's advice x

How's it going?

Hello thank you for your reply , she went into hard labour first thing we have three beautiful boys and no number 4 scan count was wron g it appears ,we had two breech pups and they were hard to get out, and get going but after a long labour my girl is with pups and they're all squeaking away. My girl didn't take to mothering quickly though she was afraid of them for a few hours, manual stimulation and feeding necessary but she's nursing and licking them now so hopefully she gets the hang of it :) thank you all for your advice I'd have hoped for an earlier delivery but I stupidly listened to my vet. Had I not known how to deliver and revive I'd probably have two little dead boys. Definately will demand a section next time but I'm just glad they're all well.

Congratulations!

Thank you goldenmum:) xx