Is it possible for a dog to have a long labor or does that mean something is wrong?

Question

Back in Oct we found a stray dog. We looked for her rightful owner but came up empty. We decided to keep her because we grew very attached and she is now apart of our family. She was just barely pregnant when we found her. She is now at full term, has started nesting as of last night at aprox 6-7pm. She then made her whelping area under my son's crib and has been under there and wont come out since aprox 9-10pm last night. Prior to that she was pacing, shivering, panting and real gaggy. I did some reading and it said that is a sign of labor. It is now 11:05am and nothing. No puppies, and she is still under the crib, will pant and shiver every few mins and then sleep for a few mins. I have read that labor can last 6-12 hours before delivering the first pup, but then read other places that after labor starts it is usually w/in an hr. Im very confused on what to do and it seems that every vet I call for info wont tell me over the phone. Any vets on here that can help me please? Thanks!

I am on the phone with the Vet now, thanks everyone for your input I will update shortly!

I talked with my aunts vet, he said 2 getrectal temp on her and I did. It is 98.6 and he also said since she has NOT been pushing yet that she is fine. It becomes a problem when she has pushed for more than 2 hours and nothing has happened. He said after the panting, shivering and nesting phase it could be a good 24hrs before she'll push for the 1st time. So as for now all is well. Thanks so much for everyones input. I greatly appreciate it!

Answer 1

You are a GREAT PERSON to have taken this sweet girl in when she needed someone the most!! You deserve a pat on your back!!!!!! KUDOS to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I were in this situation, I would take her straight to the vet.!!!! She could have mated with a dog that is larger than what she could deliver!!!!!!!!!!! This is one of the most dangerous things when a dog mates and it gets time to deliver pups!! Because if a dog that can't deliver on her own, could die and so could all of the pups, if they don't get help in time!! I hope she is o.k.!! Good Luck to you!!!!

Answer 2

It does sound like she is in labor. My toy poodle's temp dropped to 98 and she would pant, shiver, etc and did not go into active labor until the next morning. She started laboring mid morning and delivered her first pup the following morning at 7am. There is no need to be to alarmed yet if she is not pushing. If she has been pushing for more than 1 - 1 1/2 hrs then you need to contact a vet as she may need help.

You can also call your local vet for some extra advice. Most generally they can help over the phone and some are willing to help you via phone so as not to upset the female by dragging her out of her comfortable nest unless absolutely necessary. The less stress for her the better. Be patient and watcher her closely.

Good luck

Answer 3

Here is a little info and a great site that we use as reference at the center where I work, ONLY a reference, it does not take the place of a Vet and you do need to take her in good luck.
If labor has not started within 24 hours past temperature drop.
From the time the first visible contraction is seen, the first puppy should be delivered within two hours, although up to three hours can be normal. It is the passage of the puppy into and through vagina that stimulates these contractions. A gloved finger inserted into the vagina and pressed against the dorsal vagina wall will stimulate labor contractions in the same way as a pup in the passage. This technique is called feathering.
Prolonged second-stage labor may be caused by large pups or malpresentations, such as the back presented first or forelegs extending into the body of the uterus with the head extending up one horn and rear legs up the opposite horn.
Too small of a maternal pelvis for the size of the pups is another problem when whelping.

A call to the veterinarian is indicated when

More than twenty-four hours have passed since the temperature drop without signs of second-stage labor (thirty-six hours maximum).
Mild or intermittent labor contractions have been seen for more than thirty minutes without appearance of the puppy at the vulva.
Head, nose, or rear legs and tail protruding through the vulva for more than fifteen minutes and you are unable to pull the pup out.
More than six hours rest (no labor) between puppies and you know she is not finished
http://www.whelphelp.com/?page=Signs%20of%20Trouble

Answer 4

labour differs for most dogs
my brown lab female dog ( it blocks *****) gave birth 8 weeks ago and she shivered like anything this usually happens 24hrs b4 whelping, labour usually lasts 24 hrs from the temprature change and the shivering , my lab started pushing her pups out at 12 midnight and had her last at 11 am next day - 12 pups later she was fine =)
once her contractions start expect the pup within 2 hours if it takes more than 3 then take her to the vets - they are expensive to go to if nothing is bad btw.
these kind of symptoms can ccur in a whelping *****, also a discharge from the vagina, she may go off her food too. i hope this helps - if you are still worried add a reply to ur message and i can give u my contact details

Answer 5

You really need to be on the phone to your local vet.....I would suggest getting her in to have an exam to see just what is going on, since this is your first experience with canine labor.

If labor goes on for too long the dog and uterus can become exhausted and unable to push out puppies. At that point you are looking at a C-section.......

An exam and perhaps an radiograph with tell you alot, how many puppies (give or take 1 or 2), the size (too large), and if any are presently in the birth canal.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

I agree with the majority of the rest of the answers...you can call the vet to give the details and see if you have waited long enough..any good vet will give you this kind of advice over the phone..but will not be able to diagnose if there really is a problem without seeing the dog. If she was mine I would just take her in and have her looked at to make sure everything is ok . I wouldnt want to take a chance on losing her and /or her puppies....good luck

Answer 7

Good luck with the puppies.
And vets do give advice over the phone (where I live anyway) my neighbours maltese dog had pups one was stuck and breach and the vet guided her through the process over the phone, and hospitals give advice for pregnant women in labour also over the phone they tell you whether they think you should come in or stay at home and wait for more action. Actually we even have a hotline in QLD for you to ring a nurse when you have a sick child for her to evaluate the symtoms to see if a trip to the hospital is necessary.

Good Luck again.

Answer 8

The nesting stage should take 6-12 hours. The puppies should arrive in 2-6 hours after that (with less than 1 hour per puppy). Given your estimations of when nesting began, it sounds like the puppies and mom are in trouble. You should get to a veterinarian immediately to have them check if the puppies are stuck (called dystocia).

Answer 9

If I were you I would call your vets office and consult with the vet or vet tech over the phone before taking her in. Some dogs especially if its their first litter will take a while and will even hold out if they are uncomfortable with their surroundings. Try sitting down with her and giving her a gentle belly rub while speaking softly to her. Do call the vets office though to be sure. If she needs to go in they will tell you.

Answer 10

this does not address your question approximately culling, different than..that's basically too quickly to tell. If the Catahoulas are of the 'patchwork' development, they could proceed to strengthen pigmentation for various weeks, and could not be as white as they seem. ( basically as Dalmatians strengthen spots as they strengthen) they could or would possibly not finally end up as 'extreme white'. with the help of the time that they are 8 weeks previous, the breeder would be responsive to if there are any deaf or blind puppies. notwithstanding, the curiously healthful EW puppies could pass to residences that have an be responsive to-how that there is a small threat of demodex or different pores and skin issues. except the two mothers and fathers are double merle, then there is little project over the different genetic themes, alongside with intestinal issues. The breeder could tips with an experienced Catahoula mentor to check greater with regard to the information. ( having pedigree in hand)