Question on impending whelp...UPDATE: PICTURES POSTED!!! - Page 1

My bitch is on day 61 post first tie, and up until today, has been consistant on her temp (100.2-100.6, with the exception on one that was 99.7, which was yesterday morning).  She was at 100.1 this am, and today I started taking her temp 3 times, so I re-took it at 2pm and it was at 99.2.

My question is, is that low "enough" to consider her possibly going into labor in 12-24 hours?  I know there are other "signs", but I'm just curious about the temp.  Everything I've read said usually it falls below 99.  Should I prepare to stay up tonight?

I can't count on heavy panting as an indicator, because she pants ALL THE TIME (yes, heavily).  She has gone off her food.

Any forethoughts about when she might go?  This is her first litter.

Thanks!

Rowdy,

From what I've read on this site in the past, you may want to stay up late tonight.  Not all bitches' temps will drop, but the fact that her's has and she has gone off her feed is a pretty good sign.  Watch how she pants.  If she has moments when she closes her mouth for a moment or two she may be having a contraction.  It starts off subtle at first but if you watch for it, you'll know it when you see it.  As they get stronger, she'll get rigid and may stretch her legs out trying to ease the discomfort.  Watch for signs of nest making too.  She may start pawing at the bedding or if not in the whelping box, she may try to dig up your carpet or a throw rug.  She may also get real clingy and want to be underfoot or she can go the opposite and be less than friendly.  Any change in her behavior at this time can be a clue.  Keep us posted!  Sounds like the time is near.

Deb   

You should keep a close eye on her. Yes 99.2 is low enough to consider labor depending on the dog. My dog normally hits 98. something degrees.
Is she producing milk yet? She may not drop milk till after whelping.  Has she really started scratching "nesting"?  For the next few days (especially once she's started whelping) take her out on a leash to use the bathroom. Keep a close on her with that you don't want her to whelp a pup outside and you not know about it. 
Is she a first time mom?
I'm guessing shes gonna start whelping Monday or Tuesday.  It wont be a bad idea to stay up.
  Hope everything goes well.

Rowdy,
It sounds like it could happen tonight or tomorrow.  With it being her first litter its a bit harder  to determine when.  Just keep her close and continue to check her temp.  If it does go below 99 then you will know for sure.  Or show any other symptoms. 
Rookie and I are very excited.. Be sure and send pictures..

KIM

www.justk9s.com

Also, be aware that bitches instinctively whelp at night when it is safe. My experience dictates that her water will break about six (6) hours after sundown and within an hour or so the whelping will begin. The "nesting" behaviour usually starts a few days before whelp and is most observed with a first-time dam.

The contractions will begin many hours before the whelp and can be easily observed and felt as they become stronger. Really, you are now so close to the time of whelp that you must be aware that it can happen at any time now. Take a nap and prepare to stay up tonight.

Best Regards,
Bob-O 

Thank you for all your input, guys!  I just took her 8pm temp, and it's still down at 99.3.  While she isn't "nesting" persay, she is sleeping in her whelping box, which before, she wouldn't stay in it, just lay outside of it.  She wouldn't even eat her afternoon meal of canned dog food, cottage cheese, and an egg (which she usually eats with gusto).  Got everything ready, coffee is on....hopefully will have baby pics in the morning.  I will be on here most of the night, until she "gets busy", so any other input will be greatly appreciated!

Ok, in a normal whelping, the temp always drops below 99.. what you are really looking for is that drop and THEN rise before anything will happen
The signs are all good ....your thermometer could be a little off.. mine always reads a bit lower than normal

I have had a number of girls (including my last litter in April)  start mid morning, mid afternoon..... last one was this.. water broke 11:30 AM, first contrax 12:30, first pup 1:13, 2nd pup 1:50, etc.....

Do a google search on Dr Robert Hutchinson from Northview AH in Ohio.. he has a couple dvd's that are excellent.. you can watch them while you wait!!
He shows surgeries.. they are awesome.. anyone who wants to breed should have these and should try to get to a seminar of his!!

I never take their temp. I just see if they have lost their appetite, that's a BIG indicator, like try something yummy,
like raw chicken or beef, also, if you follow them around outdoors, (like you should--don't let her out of your site)...
then you will see them trying to dig under stairs or a shed or part of your house, they start to get that nesting instinct
big time starting the day before...also, lots & lots of sleeping the day before.........

When they lose their appetite, it's only a matter of about 5 hours or less before she has them....

Anyway......that's my take on it

Ok, well...no puppies this morning.  Temp is at 99.8, and she is resting.  She nested all night, still not eating, and acted agitated.  Now she is sleeping.  And I'm EXHAUSTED (we stayed up until 4, but even when we went to bed, I still didn't sleep much).  I'm hoping she'll go today....

Let's guess,

I want to predict she will start having her pups early morning of July 14th and why not....it's Bastille Day in france,
say.......maybe start around 12:15 am........yep......Oh ya....also, lets say there will be 4 boys & 4 girls,

This could be fun.......anyone else want to guess!

Also,good luck with everything, and this may sound crazy, but while she's still having pups if she gets her appetite back, give her some American cheese, like 2 or 3 slices to start, cause the calcium helps contractions, really it does....

and plenty of water at all times