Hi all, my pregnant dog is on day 68, we have spoken to the vet and they’ve said for her breed it’s normal to go over due dates, but for about a day she has been panting extremely heavy for hours, then she will stop for about an hour, sleep for ages then start randomly again, we thought she was going into labour but because she keeps on stopping and starting with the panting and shivering I’m really not sure what’s going on with her, any advice will help! Many thanks in advance.

Day 68 from which mating because I never let mine go over by more than a couple of days without involving my vet.   She may well have gone into uterine inertia.   Your vet, or mentor, needs to check to see if her cervix is opening/open and whether there is any slight sign of labour.   Bitches will pant and shiver prior to going into full labour so this may just be what's going on.    I hope she's sleeping in her whelping quarters now, with you in there on a cot (or sofa) so you can keep a close eye on her overnight.   And if she wants out, keep her on a lead /go with her in case she decides to take off and find a whelping place she prefers!

Is this her first litter - she may be having a hard time dealing with what lies ahead poor dear.

Unfortunately it wasn’t a planned pregnancy so we don’t have a breeder but I’ve been on the phone to the vet all day describing what is going on with her but he hasn’t been much help and has just told us to wait it out. She’s in a room with just me and her welping box which fortunately she doesn’t mind being in. This is her first litter, the vet did mention that first time mothers can take longer, but I’m just still a bit worried, we have told our vet if she has not shown signs of progression by tomorrow morning we will pay for the c section happily, as I’d rather not risk my dogs health.

Also it’s day 67/68 from what date we think she caught.

>Also it’s day 67/68 from what date we think she caught.

She might not be as far along as you think, if she was mated before she ovulated. Without knowing that for certain dates are only a estimate.

That sort of behaviour I would consider first stage labour, and can go on for 36 hours.

Nia1234:

Sounds like your girl is in early Labour. She's a first time Mum, will be a little bit stressed and unsure.  Just like human Mums, the first baby (litter in your case) takes time as your Vet advised.
Stay with her, calm her if she is circling/shaking/scarping the floor and keep yourself calm as she will sense YOUR stress.  Mother nature will always take it's own course and your patience is so important.  She should start to 'strain' and there maybe up to an hour between puppies but that is normal.
By all means if it all gets too much, contact your Vet but I wouldn't be panicking at this moment in time.  Good Luck!  Let us know how things go....

Hi Nia, just to say what Hoggie has said about things taking time like with human first time mums is not necessarily the case. Please don’t ignore your gut telling you there may be a problem just because someone has said it takes a while, I’ve know first human babies and first litters come pretty damn quick as well as take a while so there is no guarantee.

It does sound like she is in first stage labour so good luck and get the kettle on for some coffee!

Just like what Brainless/barbara says, this is very normal for the first stage of labour and it can go on for 36 hours. Eventually she won't come out of the panting and settle, she will go further into it and begin contractions proper...

Hi all thought I’d update you, it’s been a very sad and upsetting morning for me and my family, unfortunately my dog has lost her puppy’s and is in the operation room getting them removed currently, they’re not sure how she lost them just yet; and they’re positive my girl will be ok.

So sorry to hear this but pleased to hear the positive about your girl.

I am so sorry. Hope all.goes well for.your bitches recovery

ANOTHER UPDATE: THEY HAVE MANAGED TO SAVE A PUPPY!!! (female) they said both my girl and her puppy are very healthy and can come home tonight! We are keeping her and are going to call her ‘miracle’ just like she is

How fantastic! Your Christmas miracle

Ah this is amazing! Fabulous news!!

Oh that's great they managed to save one!!

So much for 'waiting' eh.   So sad but I'm happy they saved mum, and she has at least one puppy to look after.

The poster did not say how long the behaviour had been ongoing, and no-one can know if it is inertia without seeing the bitch.

Knowledge of the breed, bitch lines, and whelping experience are needed to tell the difference.

I have had healthy litters born 67 days from first mating, but these bitches had been mated up to 5 days later, so likely conceived later.

I would always advise having an experienced breeder on hand for a first litter, or a vet experienced in breeding.

Sadly this has not been possible at this time.

Like Brainless says, the day 68 thing is meaningless unless you know when ovulation happened. To some extent if you don't do timing, you just have to trust mother nature or go with your gut and knowledge of your bitch or breed.

On our last litter I rushed to the vet at 3am, having phoned and gotten him out of bed, because my bitch had been pushing for about 2-3 hours without the first pup appearing. No sooner had we parked at the vet and I went to check on her in the boot, but she had a pup's head emerging from her. So we whelped the pup there and by the time the vet arrived I had to apologise profusely and go home with pup in a warming box on the passenger seat.... We only just got home when the next one arrived. Sometimes I think just going for a drive gets things moving!!

Which is all to say - when to get help isn't at all clear most of the time. You might get help unnecessarily and risk unnecessary c-sections and interventions - I think that happens a lot more than people realise. They are relieved when they get pups out alive and tell themselves it was 'just as well' they did a c-section - when probably they would have whelped just fine in most situations if they'd have waited. Intervening carries its own risks and disadvantages.

MamaBas: > So much for 'waiting' eh
Again, Mother Nature will always have her way. The post from Brainless clearly outlines that there are no guarantees. Do you
believe earlier intervention might have helped - to be honest I have no idea but the great thing is that one Puppy has survived.
A real blessing Good Luck to everyone involved.

Brainless:  > The poster did not say how long the behaviour had been ongoing, and no-one can know if it is inertia without seeing the bitch

Well said Brainless. I have had healthy litters born at 66 days.  I have always been led to believe that 5 days either way of the 'due' date (63 days)
is not unheard of (veterinary advice at sought at 65 days though).  Intervension was not required and my girl whelped naturally.  We can only advise - not
guarantee.