Hi everyone

My bitch is due to whelp today. She is showing no inclination towards it at all. I was just looking for some advice as to how to I should leave her before going to the vet. The puppies have been very active over the last few days and she is really full of milk. Her temp has been up and down the lowest it has been is 36.7 but then it went back up again.
Thanks for any help

Alli

Hi If the temp went down that low at one point I think I would have a word with the vet, my bitch didn't ever go into actual labour, and ended up having a ceaser to late. It maybe nothing but after my experience I wouldn't leave her

hi there, I wouldnt worry too much. i have had bitches go several days either side of their expected date, especially if they were given multiple matings, it depends on which day(s) the eggs were fertilised. try to keep calm as she will pick up on your emotions if your stressed or worried. temperature change is a good indicator, as are refusal of food, panting and nest building. also remember, bitches can, and will delay whelping until a quiet part of the day when they feel safe, so try to have the whelping box in a quiet corner and keep visitors, hustle and bustle to a minimum, that way she will have her privacy to get on with the task in hand, while you still get to be there to offer comfort and reassurance.

hi i agree with all above however if nothing has happened in next couple of days i would have a word with the vet just to rule out a few possibles such as primary inertia(not enough hormone to bring on labour) if theres lots of movement etc then i wouldnt be to worried but 1st litters are more troublesome and bitches generally have more problems with a 1st litter
emma

Hi all

My wee girl produced one big healthy bitch puppy last night, she showed no symptoms at all of being in labour apart from one little cry when the puppies head appeared. I waited up most of the night to see if any more puppies would appear, however after having a good feel and watching her lay there feeding this wee girl I realised she was the one and only. I called the vet this morning to take my bitch in for a check and he also said there were no more puppies. I'm relieved it's all over and my wee girlie is fine, she's being such a good mum. I spent the rest of my afternoon calling the people on my puppy waiting list to tell them they couldn't have a puppy and then due to a comic strip fall, I spent three hours in casualty getting x-rays done to see if I had broken my arm. I  have broken the bone just below my elbow joint and will probably never be able to straighten my arm fully again ( thats what they think, they have never had to walk two setters together) lol. It's also pretty amazing how when need be you can instantly become left-handed to trim up feet that really should have been done yesterday.  Any how my bloke has just left to undertake the 6 hour journey to Manchester Show with our 10 month old pup, so hears hoping he has good news when he phones me later.
I'll stop rambling on now and try to get some sleep

Oh it only took me about half an hour to type this one-handed lol :)

Alli

Oh that's brilliant news and glad to hear mum and pup are fine!!!!!
It only took you half an hour left handed.  It takes me that long and I haven't broken anything!!