I am whelping a litter for my friend. He had to go away on business for 3 weeks. He bred his dog a few times in the middle of december...not exactly sure when. She is probably due anyday now. Her temp has been between 99.5-100 for the past few days. She stopped eating 2 days ago. Ive tried everything but she wont eat. What do you think i should do? I wish i could remember if any of my bitches went off their food before giving birth but its been a while. What do you think?? Is this something they usually do? Thanks alot

Jen

As you had your first two litters last year and had many problems, and you think this bitch is "probably due any day now", I think that you should contact your Vet so that he is aware of the situation and be there to support you if needed.  It's very difficult to give the correct advice without seeing what's going on.
It's a big liability to whelp any bitch with little experience but an enormous responsibility to do it for someone else when the bitch isn't yours! :(
Hope it all goes well for the bitch.

What breed she is makes a lot of difference too, some breeds are not 'easy whelpers'  and some are not 'self whelpers'    going off food is normally a good indication that things are going to start happening within the next 24hrs though. Weekend is fast approaching tho, so yes I would warn the vet. You should notice the first stages when she starts panting and is restless but all bitches are very different, so very difficult to give any advise. 

Whilst it is normal for a lot of bitches to go off their food prior to whelping, if she hasn't eaten for 2 days, she will not have much strength for the whelping. Try & get her to eat something to build her strength up a little, labour is hardwork & she needs to be strong. No solid food should be offered once she's in established labour - just incase surgery was needed. I'd have some welpi or similar on hand for her to have drinks of or some rehydration fluid (lectade) to help keep her strength up whilst whelping.
- Good Luck.  :)

My bitch went off her food and for the 24 hours before whelping she ate absolutely nothing but drunk a lot of fluids, water and puppy milk (I used Lactol).  My bitch didn't actually show the first stages of labour, eg panting being restless till about 3 hours before she whelped just keep a very close eye on her is all the advice I can offer to you.

I was bad enough with my own, worrying about her labour and if she was going to be alright.  I contacted my vet during the day as soon as I saw her temperature drop to 35.9C, not sure what it is in F but fortunately I did not need his assistance.

Good luck and hope all goes well.

Thanks for all your help....just wondering Val what problems did i have last year whelipng my litters??? I asked alot of questions since they were my 1st two litters but never had a problem.
Thanks again

Sorry, but what sensible breeder breeds a bitch and then goes away for 3 weeks when the bitch is due to give birth!  I really despair at times :-(

Sorry but he didnt plan on breeding her and then taking a vacation when she was due. He was called out of town last week for business and had to go. He hates the fact that he cant be with her but i guess thats what you have to do when your a president of a company.

you dont have to explain why the owner has gone away to bengidog it has nothing to do with him i know what it is like being called away on businees unexpectedly.Never mind. My Bitch when she was pregnant 4 years ago she went off her food for 4 days before welping. she is a german shepherd and she was fine when she welped she needed no help and it was her fitst litter she gave birth to 14 healthy puppies. just keep offering her water all the time try her with different treats and cooked meats liver is usually a good thing to tempt them with just keep a close eye because she could give birth at anytime, if eating doesent return soon and she still hasent welped get in touch with your vet and they can be on hand whenever you need them. If you need any more help at all dont hesitate to get in touch and i will help as much as i can. good look
Mark

How can you offer advice when you then post on this board  asking how long bitches are in season for and for any other advice about breeding a litter...which are you a novice or an expert???
Archer

I would not give a bitch in labour or imminent birth liver, yes they love it but too much causes loose motions and she is about to eat some very rich placentas which also cause loose motions.

Well, while some may berate me for this....my bitch didn't eat properly for a full week before giving birth.  She was so ill, she cost us over $700 in vet fees the week prior to her whelping.  The only thing she would eat and hold down (usually) was hard-boiled eggs and Science diet ID formula (she had awful runs!).  That was IT.  And while we also feared she'd be too weak for birthing, she instead gave birth to 14 very healthy pups without a hitch.  So personally, I wouldn't worry too much about her not eating.  But try your best to get something in her, but above all, make sure she stays hydrated!!

Well after the 4th day of her not eating she got out of her box and ate a whole bowl of food. Her temp went back up between 100 and 101. For the past few days shes been digging and panting on and off but thats about it. Ive been trying to feel if there are any movements but i dont feel anything. Everytime she gets up milk is just dripping out of her..so i guess well see what happens. Thanks for all the replys.

Jen

I have whelped a litter for someone else, family. That were taken ill at the time of whelping. Its quite a worry. Especially when the bitch was panting, bed shredding yet not contracting. I took her to the vets and she had primary inertia. If you are in doubt go to a qualified vet, it can save the life of the bitch. Or get the vet to do a home check. If the litter was unplanned was it a mis-mating with a different pedigree dog? What a job!.......
Good luck.
Nutkin