Has anyone found checking a bitches temperature a reliable way of telling them when she should start whelping?

I have not done this before as I have always just stayed with them around the time of whelping to make sure I'm there when it happens, although this won't change I decided to start taking my bitches temp from monday (day56).
She averages out at between 100.4 to 100.6 at every check, then yesterday it started to slowly drop, at 17.30pm it dropped to 98.8 then started to slowly rise again. In the book of the bitch it says that it can drop as low as 99f for a few hours as an indercative that she will whelp in the next 24hrs. She is showing no signs of whelping other than panting a bit but it is very hot today, no digging still eating and so on. I know not all dogs are the same (obviously mine just have to be different!!!!)  but just wondered if anyone else had found this reliable in giving a good indication of whelping?

I find the temperature checking 100% accurate for me personally.  I have heard the odd people say their dog objects to it or they don't like doing it but mine will let me do anything to them so it never stresses them out. 

The book of the bitch if I remember words it a bit strange. It says somewhere along the lines of it can drop to 99  but then in the next sentence it says it can drop even lower. Can't remember exactly how it is worded but when you keep reading it does say it can go lower.

Generally the temp sits aroung 99.8- 100 Degrees F  whilst pregnant, then drops over a period and can fluctuate up and down but once it goes down and stays down for a good 12 hours down nearer 98 then this is generally a good sign things are about to happen.

A lot of people dismiss the temp signs or say they never noticed the peak or their bitch never had a temp change , but taking it at regular intervals and charting you will honestly see it and it has always been spot on for me. I personally believe the temp drop is the body getting the pups ready for the outside world.

My very first litter was 1 week early. I checked her temp and it was down near 98 , I rechecked a couple hours later.I was honestly questioning it , with it be so early and she was showing no other signs still eating just a bit quieter.  I decided not to let her out my sight, I had a quick jump in the shower and out I came.. there was a pup on it's way out.

Since then I have charted it on a note pad from the last week and been spot on everytime. Some dogs show so many external symptoms making  is so easy to tell others don't.

I don't say this to worry you but a temperature temp that has been low for too long is also a possible warning sign of Inertia which requires assistance. The cervix can be open but no contractions.

Good luck

Thank for the reply, she stayed below 100f yesterday but is back to 100.6 today, well I will keep checking it and see what happens, it was just the sudden drop to 98.8 that I thougt maybe she would start sometime today. I think maybe I shouldn't have started it now as I am worrying more than ever!!!!!! I will let you know if it happens!!!

Kerry

Hi
My bitch's temp was up and down for a week before she had her pups. It would drop but only for about 4 hours - but even at its highest it was still lower than normal. When it dropped on her due date to 36.6 & stayed there, she had her pups the next morning. As said peviously when its on a chart its much easier to see when it drops and stays down.
Good luck :)
Helen

A breeder told me that the temperature can drop for a few hours and then go up again, she said that was usually 4 days before it was going to happen, and then when it drops and stays down, then it will not be long before things do happen.