My dog is carrying her first litter I know she is 60days in but today she is unsettled and her temp is normally around 37.2-37.8 c but it has gone up to 38.3 can the temp go up before it goes down or should I be going back to the vets? She isn't panting she has been in her box digging and her eyes are dilated.

Can you give the vet a call to be on the safe side? She sounds like she is getting there but they are all different. Some  girls do not show the usual signs but the dilated pupils are usually a sign of imminent whelping, it is in my girls anyway.

I've never had any luck taking temperature, it's never indicated anything at all in my pregnant bitches, but for those that do find it works, I believe there is meant to be a rise just before the sharp drop.

I can call the vet but they will want me to take her in but I don't want to be one of those ppl who keep phoning the vets as I am a worry wart anyway I haven't left her all day and night since Saturday (I know a bit much but she is very close to me and I don't want anything bad to happen to her)
Thanks for the advice much appreciated

With you not being able to tell by the temp what else did you look for I know there is panting, nesting crying sometimes and temp is there anything else to look out for I have helped out friends with there litters but never had to wait or look for it happening.

Some girls do not show any signs at all and you just need to keep an eye on them. A wet back end is a dead giveaway, sorry to be base but that is the only guarantee.

I never had success with the temp either, if you skewer poo it gives a different reading to just the rectal temp.

Bitches all act differently, some pop them out quickly with very little warning, others are trying for an Oscar with their performance, all you can do is watch and wait, I let mine carry on as normal during the day and take them to bed with me at night with the bed suitably protected so any restlessness I am aware of, so far they have waited till morning to go into labour, one was done & dusted in 4hrs,the other had 2 litters and it was nearly midnight before she had the first pup having started at 7-8am.

You have to be patient and try not to pass anxiety on to the dog or she may delay things.

Your vet shouldn't mind you ringing for over the phone advice, I did it a lot with my first litter as well as having 2 mentors at the end of the phone.

Good Luck

I don't want to be one of those ppl who keep phoning the vets

You pay their wages....that is what they are there for.

Any news

As her temperature has gone down to about 37.2 (99 - sorry I talk in old money!) and is now up to around "normal for pregnancy" temperature, your 37.8, I would definitely get your Vet to look at her.

No joy everything stopped been back to the vets she hasn't dilated enough yet she is happy and puppies have a strong heart beat so they have given her a antibiotic and calcium injection just hoping something starts today as if not they want to do a c section

Was just coming to ask again re news.

How many days now from first/last mating?

Hope she goes on her own as no one wants a c/section if they can avoid it.

65 today but I took her to a different vet for a second opinion and he said she is fine she will manage on her own and its not uncommon for contractions to start 3-5 days before to get things where they need to be. He also said she is really healthy and should pass them with no problems. She is eating tiny bits and drinking plenty and is in no distress and puppies heart rate sound fine so any luck today-tonight she should have them I will let you know any way.

What's normal gestation for your breed? For one of my breeds I would worry but not panic if it went to 65 days, for the other I'd be pretty certain something was very wrong as there I'd expect pups before day 60.

I hope the pups are safely here by now

God yeah sorry guys they came on the 4th all fit and well two beautiful little boys thanks for all the help and advice it was much appreciated. Oh and she manage all by herself.

Thanks for the update