My girl is due to have her pups ,she 62 days today,she started a bit in her box last night and the night before but only at night is this normal?
And today she just stoped eating,she will only eat really yummy food.(meat and human food)should I keep feeding it to her as long as she will take it?
Also her temperature last night was @ 99 and then this morning it was 100 is this normal,and when should I expect it to go down to 98,is thier a posibility that it wont?
Sorry for all the questions but I think Iam freaking out!

hello, just read your post hope everything is ok?? normally her temperature can be as low as 99f or even 97f for a few hours, and would indicate that she will whelp within the next 24 hours.. Has she has been doing lots of digging in her whelping box??? Please let me know how you get on...

Thankyou for your responce,she was diging in it last night and the night before but not recently I just took her temp and it was 99.5 I dont know if that means anything or not,I just need to know if I should be worried,she doesnt seem to be in any distress she hasnt been aible to get comfie for a few days but tonight she seems to be a bit more anxtious,her last litter she had at about 5 am and no one was awake and she did the first few with no help and they were fine I just dont want to miss it this time so Iam not sure if I should go to bed tonight or not,I know I worry to much but I feels like shes been almoast ready for a week now and everynight I think shes going to have them she doesnt.
I felt her tummy and the babbies are still moving like crazy in thier.
Is it normal for her to be sleeping alot?she sleeps for a whyle and then goes out to the bathroom and when she comes in it takes her a long time to go back to sleep.
I will check back later.
Thankyou

Most bitches will totally empty their bowels before giving birth so this this happens during darkness go outside with her in case she has her first one outside and does not realise what is happening.  This is rare but can occur

Is it right for her to be sleeping alot?
Her temp has not yet droped to 98 it seems her normal temp is arround 99.5-100 F.
She hasnt had her babies yet,but they are all still moving arround and she is fine besides sleeping alot but shes been doing that for over  week now.
Should I give her a bit more time?
Do you know if having a young male dog arround could be detering her from having them?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thankz

Hello, Hope everything is ok thismorning??? stage 1 panting, distress, bed tearing can go on for quiet some time if unsure seek a vets advice. Your bitch should stop panting and become quiet, but you should see big expelling abdominal contractions as she presses down toward her back end, this stage can be between 10 and 30 mins or it can take up to an hour in the slow whelping breeds. longer than this is a concerne and contact the vets straight away..Good luck.
PS when my lab was due to whelp i slept in the dining room with her, that way you know for sure what is happening...Also a good idea is to offer her glucose and water to drink but no food..ie 1 tablespoon glucose to 1 pint of water...

Thanks for the concern my girl is also a lab,nothing happned last night she went to her box this morning and layed down for a whyle but no diging or anything and she ate a bit this morning,shes drinking alot no painting or distress,it just seems like shes getting ready to go into labour,she was licking herself alot this morning and then just went to sleep,her temp was 99.3 this morning thats the lowest Iv seen so far ,so I would imagine that means shes getting closer.I do feel better about everything now after talking to you guys so thankyou.:))
I will keep tou posted on her progress.
I called the vet and they said not to worry and it shouldnt be long now.

Hello, nice to hear your girl is fine. My girl had 11 puppies last year i had 3 sleepless nights as it was her 1st litter, but she had them on day 61 all fit and well and in very good homes.. I must admit if i don't hear from  there owners in a few months i send e-mails to see how they are getting on..lol  And will be going through what you  are going through now in the near future. So keep up the good work....looking forward to seeing what she has..

I have recalculated her due date and today would be the 63rd day from the second breeding so she is due any time now.
Her apitite has been steadely declining for the last 5 days or so and today she just wont eat at all even when I put some yummy stuff in her food,and she asked to go outside twice this morning and did lots of her business out thier so I guess shes getting ready?
Everyone says they start shaking and stuff but she hasnt done any of that,this will be her 2nd litter and for her first I was at work and my husband was home and I didnt get to see what she did before she had them,my husband woke up after the 1st puppy was already born and she did all the work.Her temp was 99.4 F this morning and last night but last time her temp never really droped much at all so I dont think I can rely on that to much for her, last night she went into her box twive and was starting to dig a bit and then went to sleep in it,also she has been really tired for the last few days sleeping ALOT is this normal?Shes so diferent this time.
And how long would you say I have before she goes into actual labour?

Hi Daina

There is no definitive answer as to how long your bitch will be in labour. I suppose they are like humans and each one does it differently. My breeder had a bitch who was in the first stage of labour for 12-14 hours and when my bitch whelped recently there was no sign of the first stage the only indication I had of the arrival of her puppy as her having a wee cry to herself. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to give you a better answer,

Hi Daina
Sorry about the half post my girl decided to put her paw on the keyboard and sent it before I was ready. lol

There is no definitive answer as to how long your bitch will be in labour. I suppose they are like humans and each one does it differently. My breeder had a bitch who was in the first stage of labour for 12-14 hours and when my bitch whelped recently there was no sign of the first stage, the only indication I had of the arrival of her puppy was her having a wee cry to herself. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to give you a better answer, I just wanted to let you see that all bitches do it in their own way, so don't be too concerned unless there is any green discharge before any puppies arrive (perfectly normal after the first puppy arrives though) or your bitch is straining for an excessively long time without producing any puppies. If you are at all worried contact your vet and they will be able to reassure you. As far as I can see all the signs are there and it's just a matter of waiting till the puppies decide it's time. As she isn't a maiden bitch I wouldn't be too concerned at the moment, she knew what she was doing last time so I'm sure the same will apply this time.

Hope all goes well and keep us posted

Alli

Thankyou for your wonderful answer,thats what I was thinking to but it gets a bit confusing when you read so much conflicting stuff,I took her out this morning for the 3rd time and she had major runs,so I guess thats a sign of her getting closer and my Male Dalmatian has been realy interested in her area.
Also hasnt been sleeping as much today, is it ok that when she went pee this morning for the 4th time it was a really small one and it looked a bit thicker at the end than normal?
I also called the vet to ask about inducing her if she doesnt have them in the next two days and they said that I should call them then and make an appt to bring her in for an injection to get her labour started but they also said not to worry to much yet and to keep an eye on her , so thats what Iam doing. I also got a price finally on what it would cost if I had to get her induced and its not nearly what I thaught so thats good news.I dont know about the vets in England but here they wont tell you anything unless you bring your animal in to them and then they give you this ENORMOUS bill right before you leave,so at least that gets rid of some worry.Oh wow,she just totally snaped at the boy thats a first!!
Thankyou for your reply.

I'm no expert but I would say she is on her way.
Just to let you know not to worry.
My Sibe bitch went 10 days over on her first litter, she was only mated once.
7 days late on her second, the vet said was I sure she had been mated. Hell I was there course I new.
Took her home, she whelped within the hour. Must have been the car journey.
Third time, 10 days late, won't tell you the whole story yet. Ask me after your girl whelps. I got 8 beautiful babes though.
She obviously knows what she's doing. Just keep an eye on her and the babes when they come and try to interfere as little as possible.
Good luck Daina.
D4wn

Thankz D4wn ,its comfroting to hear things like that,cause all you normally hear is how terrible things turned out and it can really start to freak you out.
I do feel much better about things today after having seen the new posts and talking to the vet.so thankyou very much for your help:))
This just seems to take for ever when your waiting,last time I missed moast of it and this time I really want to be here for my girl shes like my daughter.
Wernt you just totally freaking out after 10 days?Iam already freakin and shes not even a day over yet.
We just went for a walk to the local store so I hope that will maby help things along a bit.
Now you got my curiosity I want to know what happned but maby I dont ( if its bad) ok if its bad dont tell me if its good that go ahead.
Hope to hear back from you soon.
Thankz

hi daina, hows your girl doing today? . i have a girl lab and thinking of breeding her and like you a bit unsure about labour and the arrival of the pups.after reading your questions and thier replies it gives me a bit more insight.i did ask the vet how long a dog would carry her pups and she said it could be between 54 days to 67 days,well i think thats what she said well good luck with the labour and please let me know how she gets on

Hi Shirley.p.
Well another day and night and still no pups,I was REALY getting worried and ready to take her to the vet today but when I called them they said to hold on for one more day,so here I am again still waiting its now 10:30 pm and I decided to make her box a bit more private today as she is a very private kindove girl and sure enough right after she went in and was diging alot and biting at the blankets and then she actully slept in it for the first time,tonight I took her temp at 9:00pm and it was down to 99.2 F thats the lowest Iv seen it yet shes been acting diferant, a bit of panting and restlesness she seems to be relaxing right now on the bed but Iam scared to go to bed just incase I miss something, but if I dont how will I ever get up for work in the morning.
I dont know how some people can stay up for like 3 or 4 days just waiting,if I did that I think I would be in a mental institution or something.
The babies are still quite active so at least I know thier still ok (knock on wood)the thing that was realy begining to worry me was that she hasnt been eating well for about 5 days,its been about once a day with some bonies and a few goodies and I noticed this morning that her boobs wernt as full with milk as they have been,so I am putting some puppy formula in her food and water and giving her some doggie supplements and now her milk seems to have gone back to normal witch makes me feel a bit better.Labs normally make realy good moms and arnt known for having alot of problems with labour and delivery I think I tend to get realy paranoid my mom was a Lab breeder for about 15 years so Iam used to this in a sence but when its your baby and all your responsibility everything just goes out the window,well for me at least.Thankyou very much for your reply and concern.:))

Hi Daina

Hope to hear from you soon and hope everything is well with you and your girl :)

Alli

Hell Daina i cannot offer any advice on the waiting only to sat that i sympathize with both of you. I know when i was pregnant, i too kept thinking how much longer can this go on for, i made beach whales look good :-D , then as a mother i know very well what sleepless nights feel like. What i hated most was when they did sleep i worried why they were sleeping and all the other thing's that like rushing through your head when you can finally go to sleep :-( . the best thing for you though is all CDS are hear for you both and keep your chin up as you are obviously a first class mum and i am sure your girl know's and thanx for taking the time to let us all know how it is going. Good Luck Emma :-)

well last night I slept very lightley with her beside my bed in her new area for the whole night painting in my ear,but no pups last night.
Tonight shes shaking and painting and just cant sit still for long at all,I took her out alot tonoght to poo but moast of the time she couldnt she hasnt started pushing yet but it will be very soon Iam sure right now shes tearing up the towels like crazy.
But if still no pups by tomorrow I will be taking her to the vet they said they would give her a shot of oxycitocyn to help her start her to puch but Iam starting to think that she wont be needing it with how shes acting now,thankyou for all the help and support Il keep you informed:))

Good luck Daina!  Let us know how things are going :)

Lesley

Hi everyone
Shortly after my last post she started pushing hard for 20 minuts or so I was wetting worried so I call the emergency clinic and they said if I didnt see any pup within the next 15 min I would need to bring her in and just as I was talking to the lady I heard a loud squeek so I droped the phone and ran over and she had her first baby a black boy and he was ok thank god and right after 2 more followed right away both boys also one yellow one black,she seemed to have stoped pushing for about an hour so we went for a walk and she had a drink and has been going ever since its now 4:00 am and she just had another one a few minuts ago whyle I was typing,I thaught she was all done so I went on the computer but I guess she wasnt so we are now up to 8 pups 4 yellow and 4 black with only 2 girls 1 black F and one yellow F they all seem to be healthy but a few had a hard time getting going they had some fluid in the mouth and nose so I had to help a bit and they are all fine,I wish I knew if she was done yet as I thaught she was done at 6 pups she wasnt all that big when she was pregnant,please wish them luck !!
How do you know if they are getting enough milk?
Sorry this si all messed up,I am REALY tired.

Great news Daina!!  Wishing the new babies luck!  Sorry, don't know anything about the milk, have only got males, but I'm sure someone will be along soon who knows :)

Lesley

Daina, you're doing fine!  Don't panic.  They don't need enormous quantities at this stage.  It's colostrum at the moment.  The more they suck, the more she'll produce!  Just stay with her and make sure that she doesn't squash them - she's tired too, she's done all the work, you've only watched!! ;)

Congratulations Daina and your girl :-D Tis is all good news and i am glad the waiting is over for you. I am sure you will still have some worries and concerns still, but try and get some rest and relax and enjoy them all. Dont forget to get some pics as i am sure they wont stay that size for long, and please give {{{ BIG HUGS }}} to your girl, she has certainly earned them, Emma.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahh great news.  I don't have many litters but I get as worrie das you every time :d So pleased to hear the great news.

Diane

Congratulations!!!! Glad to hear everything is okay. Good luck to you and your new young family. Thanks for your advice too on my bitch not eating it was very much appreciated.

Daina,
I'm so pleased you and your girl have the babies now. She obviously is a good mum who knew what she was doing.
I bet you're wondering what all the worry was about now! No doubt you'll find another reason or ten to worry about them before they go to their new homes.
I didn't tell you about my bitch before you got your pups as the delivery was a bit harrowing and I didn't want to worry you any more. I'll elaborate when you've recouped your sleep. Enough to say I didn't lose any babies and ended up with eight.
Good luck to all 10 of you.

D4wn

Glad that everything went well - try and get a little sleep tonight :D

Margot

hi diana great news well thats the waiting over . i hope all the babies and mum is doing well give her a cuddle and tell her well done!