My bitch is due on July 5th. She's 2 1/2 and this is her first litter. I've been keeping track of her temperature since Monday and it's slowly been decreasing. It went from 100.5 on Wednesday morning to 99.1 on Wednesday evening. As of this morning (Thursday) it's at 98.8. I know once it drops like this, she should be going into labor, but she's not showing any other signs. She's not overly restless, and she's still eating. Is this drop in temperature without going into labor normal?
Thanks, Yvonne

If you have a look at the post a few down "Is she nearly ready", this should answer your query as its virtually the same question.  Good luck with the whelping, keep us updated!

Thank you. I noticed that post after I posted this one. This is my first time on this site, so I'm still trying to "find my way around." I'll let you all know how it goes and when the pups arrive. One more question, I was told to calculate her due date from the first day bred (she was bred for 5 days). I breed horses and with them, you calculate from the last day bred. Calculating from her first day bred, she will be 63 days on Saturday.

Hi and welcome to the forum.  After the big temperature drop, you can give her 24/48 hours.  To be honest all bitches are different just like women and not all show the same signs.    The signs, if any, will all come slowly.  For example, one of my bitches panted slightly but apart from that and the temperature drop she never showed any signs whatsoever.  Interesting to know you breed horses.  I used to breed them too.  Good luck with your girl.  And keep us up to date.

Apparently whelping should be around 63 days from ovulation but of course that does depend if you know your bitch's ovulation date.  I had heard this from several different sources, does anyone on here think the same?  One of my bitches had her puppies 5 days early but I didn't know her ovulation date.  Another of my bitches had hers 3 days early and I did know her ovulation date.  As Spugsy said they are all different and I learnt to be ready 10 days early at least after my first bitch whelped so early.  Sorry, I don't think I've answered your question, just given more food for thought! (How do you do emoticons on here?)

Well she started whelping at 2:15 this afternoon and so far has had 5. 4F/ 1M (one female was stillborn) I can still feel one in her abdomen. How can you be sure when she's done?