hi everyone, i'm a bit worried about taking my girls temperature! when do i start (she's on day 45), is it ok to use a normal 'human' thermometer, ie: an 'under the tonge' one or do i get one from the vets. is there any other kind of thermometer i can get and if so where can i get one from?

many thanks julie

An ordinary under the tongue one is not suitable as they are more likely to break (I assume you are not considering actually putting it under the tongue :D)  you need at least a rectal one, available from a chemist or I prefer a electronic one, also available very cheaply from the chemist, as they are much quicker.  Remember to mark it 'dog only' and don't keep it in the bathroom cabinet :D

thanks for your reply, i shall go to the chemist next week, i presume the electronic one you put in there ear as that is what i would prefer. and yes i will mark it 'dog only'!!!!! when should i start taking her temp? also because her mum and gran both have there pups early does this mean my girl will have hers early( she was only mated once on day 13 of her cycle)

thanks again julie

I think the tympanic (ear) ones are not suitable for dogs as they rely on reflected heat from the ear drum which is way down a dogs ear compared with humans.  I have an ordinary electronic one meant for under the tongue (in humans) or rectally I have seen them as cheap as a fiver.  I would get your dog used to the temperature taking as soon as possible with gently encouragement, she should not mind it at all as it does not hurt.  Support her gently at the groin to prevent her sitting down enlist the help of someone else to steady her at the head end until she accepts it happily which mine have all done. 
If you get her used to it daily at this stage you can establish a good base line of a normal temperature for her, about 5 days before due date you can increase to 12 hourly to detect any drop.  The temperature tends to rise again after a few hours so if you continue with just daily it is possible to miss it.

I have an ear thermometer especially for pets.  I bought it online, it's called Pet-Temp PT-250 instant ear thermometer for pets, it definitely works, as it showed my girls temp drop 24 hours before whelping last week.  It cost around £35, but the majority of it was shipping cost as it came from USA

That's interesting, I expect a lot of owners would prefer to use that.  I think it worth remember, though, that some dogs will object more to something in their ear than their bottom, bearing in mind they have no modesty about these things :)

I don't know about the dog, but I didn't feel comfortable taking the temperature bottom end ;-)  this has been great, she doesn't mind her ears played with, so it suited us both.

I think they ought to sell this item in the UK, but they said at the moment nobody does, and yet it's used by vets and pet owners all over the USA.