Hi my toy breed bitch is having pups her temperature dropped from 37.4 to 37.1 and now it's gone up to 37.2 she couldn't settle last night and now she is sleeping I'm getting confused with the temperature and what it's ment to be

I don't breed but I think you will find there is no meant to about it but when the experienced breeders come along they will give advise . for now just keep her close by and watch her carefully . especially if her due date is near

I will do thanks

The temperature will fluctuate, down and back up again, during the final stages of a pregnancy but it's when it drops and stays down, that you can usually expect labour to start within 48 hours.   I don't set too much importance on the temperature however but on the number of days from the first mating (I do know that conception may not take place immediately).    I'm assuming you know who the sire is because if he's significantly bigger than your 'toy bitch', she may have difficulty whelping naturally, and need a C.Section.   In any case I didn't let mine (not a toy breed) go over by more than two days without involving my vet, or, once labour starts (strong contractions, pushing hard), for no longer than about 1 hour without seeing a puppy delivered - each delivery.   If she's going to need a C.Section, it's way better to get her in for one before she becomes exhausted, risking her life and those of the unborn puppies.

I hope you have a mentor to hold your hand if this is your first pregnant bitch.

Thanks I will take her to vet

In 40 plus years I've never depended on temps.  But I am extremely experienced in whelping toy breeds.  Do NOT let her have strong contractions for over 40 minutes maximum.  You would be risking her life.

My dog went to loo last night and there was a string of discharge stuck to her leg and her vigina is that normal and I had a restless night she was scratching at me and moaning is this normal when I woke up she went to sleep again

When is she due?

In 2 week time

What day is she on?

Not sure but I now she is due in 2 weeks

It is very important to know the day. Toybreeds whelp early, the earliest I have had is 55 days, so you need to be prepared from then on -don't count on her going to term as it's unlikely she will.

Thanks I will keep a close eye on her

Sonia - would you recognise inertia?  Because it is life threatening and very common in toy breeds.

My dog had her pups 5 weeks ago and there eating ok I can't get the lapping water or goats milk how can I get them to drink

Leave water down for them; they'll investigate it and start to lap when they're ready. In the meantime make sure they still get topped up by mum after every meal (while she finishes the food they leave) and they won't be too thirsty.

Right now, they probably don't need water - food contains moisture, especially tinned dog meat (80% usually) so just leave a shallow bowl down and they should start to lap.   Incidentally, initially with weaning, we started using warmed goats milk and, holding each puppy individually on our knees, encourage them to lap - very early on (end of week 3 going into week 4).   Early days too, puppies should be taking a lot of their nourishment from mum still.

To make sure they are not dehydrated, do the tenting test - gently lift their skin from around the neck and if should snap back immediately.   If it remains 'tented', then they are suffering with dehydration.   I'd bet they aren't.

They are probably also getting some milk from mum still, so they just don't need to drink yet in all likelihood.