How soon after a dog starts lactating does she give birth?

Question

I have a pure bred dog that wasn't suppose to be fertile. I was planning on getting her spayed a couple of months ago but kept putting it off because the vet said she likely couldn't get pregnant anymore. I've had her for 2 years and she has been in heat 3 times around my male of the same breed but hasn't become pregnant until now. She has had 2 litters of puppies in the past before i got her. She is 6 years old. I didn't bother writing down the date when she came into heat last time thinking she couldn't get pregnant. I never saw them tie either. I realized she was getting fat 2 weeks ago. I took her to the vet the next day and she had an ultrasound and had gained 3 lbs. The Vet guessed she was about 30 days along. So i'm guessing her delivery date is Dec.10. But today i noticed she's beginning to lactate.

I forgot to mention that i felt the puppies moving around and kicking last night.

Answer 1

Lactating is not an indicator. They can start to lactate a week or more before whelping.
You will want to start taking her rectal temperature. When her temperature drops to 98 degrees and stays there she is about to whelp.

Answer 2

Usually after they start lactating pups will come within a week. Looks like the vet was wrong. Also they don't start showing much until about 3 weeks before whelping so that would be about right timewise with another week too.

Answer 3

I have some dogs that begin to lactate upto 2 1/2 weeks before delivering others not until after they start to give birth. teh best thing is to figure on taking her temp (rectally) when it goes below 99 degrees figure on delivery withing 48 hours.
Otherwise take her back to the vet for another exam

Answer 4

oooo..... lactating usually means she is within 24 hours! call the vet! the pups may be coming too early!