My bitch started panting 14 hours ago and has just lost a little clear discharge.  Her last litter was 24 hours panting, then a feet first pup which was stuck leading to a section.

I feel she is fine and progressing ok but worried about length of time to due previous problems, i thought she would have delivered quicker this time.  The vets are sure she can deliver on her own and have said to take her in if she is pushing for more than 30 mins, however no signs of straining yet.

Dont know whether to be worried and take her to the vet anyway or let her take her time and give her a bit longer?

If she isnt straining yet i would give her more time, first stage labour can go on for a long time, one of my girls was panting for 26 hours, i was petrified things were not going well, my vet asked me to check to see if she was dilated myself and she was only slightly, then 1 hr later i checked again, she was fully dilated and then produced a very large litter with no problems.

Give her some more time and keep a very close eye, any signs of problems or any green/black discharge then take her in but she will probably get on with it in her own time. I know some say if a bitch has had a section then it is more likely to be a section again but i had a section with one of my girls and she delivered her next litter fine, so it is wait and see and just be vigilant.

Hope all goes well, let us know x

My bitvh was panting and nesting for 36hours befor her waters broke and gave birth to 3pups in an hour. Though she had finished only for her to go into labour again 14hours( shoeing no signs of distress throughtout this time) after last pup and with help of oxitocin she deliverd one still born but also 2big healthy pups. As long as she is straining I wouldn't worry yet. 

Has she got going yet?

Would you recognise inertia?

i do hope no news is good news ?

Hi all,

thanks for the replies.

She finally starting pushing and delivered her first girl after 20 mins of straining..i was about to get her in the car to the vets when she had her! pup weighed 665g so a big one!

We had 7 lovely pups but unfortunately lost 2, my husband tried cpr for half hour on one pup but unfortunately couldnt revive him.  the final pup was born via forceps at the vets, he had been stuck for an hour in total and vet couldnt revive him either.  At least it didnt lead to a section and following a scan and x-ray to confirm no more pups we were able to get her home and settled with them.

sorry for your loss, but congratulations on the new arrivals xxx

wow 1st pup was a big 1 ,so sorry for the loss of 2 pups :( ...sleepless night now start here! good luck x