Hi, I don’t know whether I’m just getting nervous with the impending day or if this is the start of things. Today is day 58 from first mating. Today she had a poop in the house this morning which is very unlike her. And following that has had 3 more poops. She hasn’t touched her food all day but is a bit up and down with eating at the mo anyway. I haven’t taken her temp as she seems to get quite stressed with it. She’s just wants to lie on the kitchen tiled floor and just looks at everything going on around her. Does this sound like the start or am I just a nervous wreck? (I am staying calm with her just inside a nervous wreck lol) TIA x

Yes she's gearing up to do the job at hand.

One of my girls went and pooped in the puppy nursery on the morning of whelping. Loose poo is just clearing the system before whelping starts.

She may not want to eat anything or may just continue on as normal. My girls certainly haven't had the memo about not wanting to eat!

I don't take temperature, just watch like a hawk and once contractions start, move them to the whelping bed to sit with them during the entire process.

I'd watch her everytime she goes out and take a towel with you (+torch if dark), as they sometimes confuse contractions with the need to poo.

Good luck.

Yes, I also think this is the start of things. 

Prostaglandins make you want to EXPEL stuff.  So as well as other things, they make you poop.  (Interesting fact:  Many women find they get softer poops or more poops around the time they get their period, and/or get a bit constipated in the days before it - this is all hormonal!). 

Don't leave her alone and watch closely.

Thanks for your reply’s. Fingers crossed this is the start. I haven’t left her side for days now she’s sick of the sight of me. Since my post she’s had another 2 poops and has are a small amount of chicken. I have also managed to take her temp of 37.2 which is 98F. She is licking everything in sight. Carpet her whelping box. Is this normal behaviour? TIA x

Licking things like that can be a sign of pain.  I think she is probably in pre-labour or stage 1...

Just to update you all after a long night. All the signs have stopped. She started panting from 11pm till about 1am and then went to sleep. Today she has eaten and drank loads of water and is just lounging around with not a sign. X

Did her temperature drop?  If so, I'd be a bit concerned as you want to see a puppy within 36hrs of the temperature drop. 

Did you see any visible contractions?  You want to see a pup within 2hrs of the first contraction. 

If no to both, probably just pre-labour...

> She started panting from 11pm till about 1am

Panting is a normal reaction to pain.  Would you recognise inertia?

Hi, her temp was 37.5 this morning so I don’t think the drop was the drop. It’s fluctuating only slightly. No contractions were seen. And I think the panting is down to the heat we are experiencing at the mo and also as I took her for a 5 min stroll round the block prior to the panting. I will have a more in depth look into Interia as I am aware of it but not experienced. Thankyou x

In 45+ years I have never believed in the reliability of temperature taking.  And honestly believe that people can be too obsessed by it.  To be fair, my view is, if I was about to give birth and someone kept insisting on sticking something up my bum, I would do more than growl. 

Recognising inertia is a learned art.  If you are not sure, you can easily leave a bitch too long.  As I know someone who lost a bitch because they didn't recognise what was happening, I do feel pretty strongly about it.  I would be happier if you had your mentor there.

Yes so would I lol. Although she doesn’t seem to mind so much now as she’s getting used to it. I have taken it this morning 37.7, midday 37.5 and this evening 37.4 so about average still.
When you refer to a mentor I don’t have one as such but more a friend who has experience in my breed that I can call on for advice. I’ve called her and she’s popping over shortly to See her. Thanks for your concern, I feel she’s doing ok but yes you are right you can never be too sure.
Still no signs or changes today everything seems normal. I will update you as soon as my friend as been. Thanks again x

Hi All, well my friend called last night and took a look at her signs, discharge temps etc and she said she’s all good and the signs are her body preparing like pre Labour.
On another note I’ve taken her temperature this morning which is 36.7 I’m taking this as the drop so the 24hour clock countdown is on. It’s so exciting. X

If you are using the temperature drop to indicate whelping, you need to know how to use it properly - or you will end up concluding it is unreliable... Tools are only as good as those who use them.

A week before whelping, take temperature 4x/day.  Insert at least half way up the instrument to get an accurate reading.  Normal temp is 100.5F to 102.5F. 

Most bitches in their last few weeks have temps around 100F but fluctuations from 99.5F to 100.5F are normal. 

Temps will often be higher in the AM and drop as day goes on.  You are looking for a large temperature drop that persists at least 8hrs - this will be 24-36hrs prior to whelping.  So - this means 2 consecutive readings with temp 99F or lower.  Some will go as low as 97F.

If you have only one reading at 36.7 (98.06F), that's not enough to conclude it is a temperature drop.  You need two consecutive readings.  Test again in 4-6 hours.

Thanks for your response. Will the temp stay down all day or go back up after a period of time? Thanks x

So far today she’s had a few panting moments, (which could be down to the heat) but has heavy breathing. she’s been restless changing position a lot a little bit of digging in her whelping box, she hasn’t left her whelping box all day except for 3 or 4 wees. She’s vomited twice. Also keeps trying for a poo but only little rabbit droppings (sorry too much info) and doing lots of lying around on her side sleeping. Does this sound like 1st stage? She’s day 60 well start of day 61 now. Tia x

> Tools are only as good as those who use them.<br />

If that's aimed at me - enough of your digs please.  Trying to make me out to look inexperienced is childish.

She’s had 3 so far all going great x

>In 45+ years I have never believed in the reliability of temperature taking.

It doesn't sound like you are "experienced" at temperature taking.... Telling people that things are unreliable when you haven't been doing them properly is just spreading misinformation.

Glad the whelping is going well MissScottie...

Thanks. All went well. Couple of whelping pauses. 1 for 4 hours but eventually all 6 delivered that were counted on the scan. I finally fell asleep for an hour to wake up to a cheeky 7th. So proud of my girl she’s doing amazing and such a good mum. Does any one have experience with signs of eclampsia? I’m unsure whether she is showing the signs of or this behaviour is normal post whelping x

Eclampsia is an emergency What are the signs she is showing?

Give her calcium, if you are noticing any signs of disturbance or weird behaviours - definitely if you are suspecting eclampsia, supplement with calcium... If she is still digging, it's likely pain from her uterus contracting back down...

I have never found temperature to be reliable either, and I've bothered a lot of bitches with a thermometer up their bum. I've never seen a drop.

MissScottie, can you start a new thread with your next question please:

The Signs of Eclampsia?