Is a pregnant Dog's Temp. a good indicator of delivery time??

Question

Dog: Mini Dachshund
Today is her 56th day from the first day she "tied" with the male. Her milk (kinda clear stuff) came in this morning.
Yesterday, her temps were as follows:
9:30am=99.9
12:30pm=99.5
11:00pm=99.1

This morning, her temp was 98.7 at 6:30am, after going outside to potty.

She is just laying around sleeping. Last night in bed, I felt her pups moving constantly for over 30 minutes, and I hadn't been able to feel any movement up until then. I've heard that when they are moving, they're getting into place to deliver.

Do I have another 24-48 hours or anytime now?
Oh, and she still has the pee colored slimy & stringy discharge today. This is her 4th day of this.

Any help is MUCH appreciated!
Thanks to ALL in Advance!

P.S.
I've heard that a dog's normal temp is 101-102 degrees, and that when they are close to delivering, their temp will drop to between 98 & 99 degrees, then will spike up and drop back down again. At 6:30am, it was 98.7 and at 8am 100.2.

Answer 1

I can tell you from experience that this is not always the most reliable way to watch for labor to begin. With my Bossie's last litter, her temp fluctuated between 98 degrees and 101 degrees for almost a week. She didn't even have the characteristic "spike" before dropping to the final low temp. It was definitely frustrating! But then, my female went overdue with this last litter by several days. (I didn't sleep for two weeks, waiting for it to happen!) ;) Finally, several vets and other breeders told me to scrap the thermometer altogether and find something else to do. *lol*

Day 56 is just a bit early for mom to have her babies... (Puppies before Day 58 *can* have developmental problems.) I agree with Chetco that the best way to determine if labor really is about to begin is to observe her food intake. If she refuses even her *favorite* treats, labor will begin within a few hours.

The puppies should move often, usually noticeable from about the 30th day, but with small litters it can be difficult to detect until they are much later in their pregnancy.

In my own experience, the milk can "drop" at any time within the last few days before labor, or it may not come in until the first puppy is born. I have noticed in my own dogs that the mothers that have had litters before will wait longer before the milk drops. My Bossie just had her third litter, and her milk did not drop until the first puppy was being born. With the last litter it dropped about a day before, and with her first litter, it dropped just about three days prior to labor.

The discharge can go on for some time as well. Watch for some serious nesting behavior. I mean, when she's spinning in circles trying to make a bed, trying to go *under* beds, furniture, behind the couch... anywhere she can find something soft to dig in. She might dig more casually for several days before going into labor, but when it really hits her, she'll be digging like a little prairie dog on fire.

Good to see someone so vigilant and caring! Best of luck to you, mom, and the babies!

Answer 2

Dogs will whelp at usually 63 days from breeding. A dogs temp will fluctuate before delivery as yours is doing so don't be alarmed. An indicator of delivery being near is a dramatic drop from the usual 101.5 or so to 99 degrees. Dogs will also start nesting and will usually stop eating before giving birth as well. Make her a nest and let her rest as much as she wants to. If your not sure about the day she was breed though you may want to have her examined by a vet. I would stay near her and not leave her alone. My dog delivered four days early and I was glad I was there because it was difficult and she needed a c-section. If your sure of the day of her breeding I wouldn't be alarmed as I said the temperature will fluctuate. Be sure to keep taking her temp and recording it and when you see that drastic drop you should start seeing pups soon after. Is she a small dog or a large dog?

Answer 3

im not exactly sure what the exact temperature will be when shes ready to deliver, but it is true that the temperature of a normal dog is 101-102 and it DOES go down when shes ready to deliver. u mite wanna call the vets and just ask them or ask a breeder. also, in horses, the baby moves around constantly before being delivered. and im almost positive the same is true for dogs.

Answer 4

Watching for temperature changes is helpful, but not really reliable.
all of her symptoms sound normal for her stage of pregnancy. I still think she has a day or two to go. One thing I use, to let me know if I should stay home from work, or such, is to offer a tiny piece of chicken, or treat she really can't resist. If she refuses it, then she may be in early labor, but if she will eat at and act like she wants more, then she won't have pups for at least another 6 hours.

Answer 5

That isn't a really high temperature for dogs! There's is usually 100 to 102 degrees! that means your dogs are too cold. If they were going to have puppies, it wouldbe higher than that. You have way more than 1-2 days. I sugget going to the vet and just checking out for yourself!

Answer 6

Did you ever get ahold of your vet. If your vet didn't call you back then maybe you should get a new vet.

Answer 7

don't worry its normal,,i f u still feal worried,, contact any vet