First stage Labour - how long is too long?? - Page 1

 Today is day 63 from the first breeding, 57 from the last.  Her temperature over the lat few days has between 37.5-37.7C, yesterday morning it was 37.1,  then 37.2 at mid day, i was not sure if this was a significant drop.  By evening it had gone up to 37.9.  Yesterday she did not want to eat anything all day.  She was calm and quiet  until about 7.30 pm when she became agitated, nervous, pacing, panting etc.  I thought the birth was going to happen pretty soon, but this has now been going on all night, with some quite intense panting and shivering, and calmer periods in between.  I have not seen any mucus plug come out, though she has licked herself occasionally.  I have not seen any obvious contractions or pushing. Last night I looked at a few articles on the internet and some said stage 1 could last 12-24 hours, some 6-12 hours, one even said that more than 6-8 hours was an emergency.  This is her third litter and I never remember this stage lasting this long before with her or my other females, except .with her mother who turned out to have a puppy stuck and later needed an emergency C-section.  I could not get hold of my vet last night but will be calling him shortly.  However, I think he will either tell me to wait or ask if I want to do a C-section, and I am not sure what would be the best course of action.  I know she has at least 6 puppies.  I do have some experience whelping litters, but every birth seems to be different  I would be grateful for any opinions. It has been nearly 12 hours now.

if you are worried, take her to the vet.

 No change, she is going to the vet now.

keep us posted with her progress!!
good luck!!

the longest mine went was 12 hours , but i would wait up to 24 Hours and if nothing, then its time for a call to the vet.
 

you would think ,you would start to see contractions by now.
 

12-24 hours  is very normal for first stange of labor.

Bella acted like that (pacing, panting, nervous) several days before she whelped. Then it went away and the real deal involved a heap of frantic digging. But then...I had two stillborn, so I don't think I would be so cavalier again. I sure hope everything goes well!!

 Thanks for your replies.  I did take her to the vet (and typically by the time we got there she had calmed down a lot), we did a scan and the puppies seem to be all fine so far, the doctor is pretty sure there are seven.   The vet says the mucus plug has not come out yet and she is not having obvious contractions, so not to worry yet, but it should be soon.  I hope she does not keep me hanging on for days like yours did, Vom Marischal!  Its strange as with her last litter the active labour started pretty soon after the panting and nervousness ( a couple of hours at most) so I was sure something would happen last night...I am a little nervous as last time with her we lost two out of five puppies due to things taking too long, it was in the middle of the night and I was unable to get help until the morning.  This time my vet knows and is prepared.  Will keep you posted.

ooo its all exciting!!! b ut i hope she doesn't keep you in suspense for too long.... in the mean time get yourself some rest and get ready!!

keep us posted!!

She is going to TORTURE you and then dump a couple dozen puppies on you the second you try to even take a shower or scoop poop! Oh, and don't believe those vets and their puppy estimates!!  
 

maybe it will be tonight....