Hi all. Just a quick enquiry into who found the temperature drop reliable and who didn't. All ive read, before champdogs, says it is a sure sign. My bitch is now 59 days, breed normally whelps 60/61, temperature is fluctuating 37.4-37.8 since day 56. She hasn't eaten since yesterday lunchtime, lost a long string of discharge yesterday evening after a wee and has been sick frothy bile twice this morning, milk is also in. Im beginning to wonder whether she's gonna be an exception to the rule re temperature as shes feeling very sorry for herself today and wont move from me! Exciting/nerve-wracking times!

I've always found it extremely reliable.  Take temps morning and night, and you will see a definite drop of around 1 degree.  Your bitch is still in the high range at the moment.

I've never seen a temperature drop. I've tried several times taking the temperature 3 times a day and pups have always arrived without there being a drop that I have noticed. If there was one it must have been for a few hours during the night only.

Temperature drops are incredibly reliable IF you take the temperature consistently from day 56 to find your bitches pattern. Many breeders miss the "drop" because they do not take the temperature often enough and the "drop" occurs and then the temperature rises inbetween the times you are checking.

I'd rather not have to put a thermometer up my girls bottoms several times a day, don't think they would appreciate it either.

"I'd rather not have to put a thermometer up my girls bottoms several times a day, don't think they would appreciate it either."

I totally agree. I no longer worry about temperature drop as I do not leave my girls at all within 10 days of their due dates, and I normally see lots of other signs that whelping is close. But, the only way that temperature drops are a useful aid is if you are prepared to temperature check several times per day.

> Many breeders miss the "drop" because they do not take the temperature often enough

Perhaps this idea has more going for it than it was initially given credit for.

What is particularly useful about recording temperature drop is the fact that puppies WILL come within 24 hours.  So, if you have noticed this, and then they don't arrive you know you have cause for concern.  It is an additional useful tool in monitoring pre-whelping.

but the problem seems to be identifying this drop. 

There have been countless posts, that only seem to get the breeder worried sick, and the bitch does her own thing and finally whelps happily.

I'd certainly not be able to use a mercury thermometer and the digital ones I never seem to get a true reading.  By the time I use one the batteries are going flat too.