The average gestation period is 63 days but if you're not sure of when she tied with your male, that may not be of much help. Due to her large size, she'll probably be able to deliver just fine but will need some assistance with tearing the sacs and cutting the cords. The x-ray is useful in telling you the number and size of the pups but is more accurate in the last week of pregnancy. The main concern would be that she only has 1 or 2 pups which, if that were the case, she may have problems delivering. She is very young, though, and will need to be kept calm while whelping so you need to stay relaxed or she will sense your nervousness. You need to have a whelping area set up in a quiet part of the house away from everyone and don't let your male around her at that time. With my girls, they get very fat during pregnancy but kind of symmetrical until near delivery and then they get lumpy as the babies shift around. They may also pant off and on for a couple of days prior to going into labor but if you see that behavior, it's near time. It's a busy time of year but she shouldn't be left alone as the due date approaches. You may also see a mucousy discharge from her vulva prior to delivery, maybe a day or two before. I don't focus so much on the temp but on the other things I've described to know when it's time for whelping. I'm not sure from your post how experienced you may be but I hope this helps for now. Feel free to ask away with any questions you may have. There's really so many other things to consider. Have a number for a vet, including an after-hours vet in case she shows any distress during whelping. I'm sure others will post more info for you as I've just barely scratched the surface. Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask if you need any more info. Also, take the little time you have to do some research on whelping if you haven't already done so. |