Question
 

My baby girl is expecting. I have no idea when she was bred. She has gained a little over 3 lbs. so far. Her tits are larger and her private area is swelled. I noticed some dried blood near that area yesterday. Her temp keeps going from 99 to 100 back to 99. I have been checking it since the 5th. She is also just laying around all the time but she keeps moving trying to get comfortable. Everytime I leave the room she follows me and lays at my feet. Is there a way to possibly tell how far along she is without an xray? I had her at the vet yesterday and the vet couldn't feel individual pups. This was a new vet in the office and she was kinda grumpy so I just wanted to hurry up and get out of there. When I called back to set up an appointment with my regular vet there he is gone on vacation. I am afraid that she will have the pups before I can get her in to her regular vet for an xray. Any input and help is greatly appriciated. This is her first litter and I am worried to death.
Thanks,
Shelly Plemons :confused:

the only way to tell the due date estimate is an xray...I would suggest you do that, if he cant feel the pups then she isnt far enough along...you dont begin to feel the pups until about 45 - 50 days along unless its someone with experience to palputate (about 23-25 days in), you will being to feel the movement.

The blood disconcerting..I would take her to a vet as soon as you can, blood is not normal

read this site it should help you a lot http://www.debbiejensen.com/

you sound like you have not whelped a litter before, search for some one to guide you with experience if you can it will calm your nerves.

Please find yourself a good vet. Ask your friends for recommendations in your area. Since your not comfortable and unsure of what or when to expect the litter, you will have to have someone who's reliable and comforting. Just splurge for the xray and you'll feel better knowing...

Kimberly brought up some very good points. I want to add that she is following you around for reassurance. You need to stay with her just in case something happens. Temp will drop to around 98.4 and will stay there for a few hours. When it's that low, labor should begin within 24 hours. Good luck and keep us updated!

Blood is not a normal part of the whelping process so I would take her to ANY reputable vet for a check and an x-ray. And, give serious consideration to setting a date for a c-section based on the size of the puppies AND the POSSIBLE date of mating. If you know within a few days about when she was impregnated, you can make definite decisions.
My suggestiions would be these..if you are within 5 days (or so) of the possible time she was mated her babies will be okay if they are born any time now. BUT! you need to know their size, mom's pelvis size-opening and the number of puppies she is carrying.
You need to go ahead and prepare the usual whelping items and if you need help deciding what you need you can PM any of us who are experienced breeders. Stacy or Whispersmom are available. Pat is away for a while so no need to PM her..There are some issues in this situation that you might need to have input about..

Thanks
 

I am taking her to the vet for an xray next week to a new vet in town.I have to call them first thing mon. morning to find out when they can get her in.I have searched for a mentor with no luck. I live in a small town in Tennessee and there aren't many breeders around here.I just took her temp and it is 98.8. As for the blood I am not 100% shure what it was. It was a brown color and was in her hair around her private area and bottom area. I am worried to death about her. She is my baby and my son is very close to her. Like I said before I wasn't trying to get her bred. I had no idea she was even in heat until they locked up. I have bought some books and copied some info off the internet just in case. But I am keeping my fingers crossed until I get her back to another vet.
Thanks again,
Shelly P.

Splemoms even brown in color of discharge is worrisome please get her to the vet on monday dont delay you could jepordize her health and her babies. Brown or red discharge is cause for alert!

I have already made her a whelping box but I can't get her to lay in it. As for the whelping kit this is what I have in it: sterile gloves, towels, sterile scissors, iodine, lots of towels, bulb syringe,trash bag for the soiled towels, newspapers, heating pad,gauze pads in case she doesn't clean their bottoms, and little pieses of different colored string to tell them apart. Any other items you think I might need? I was told to call the vet on monday morning to set her up an appointment. Hopefully they can get her in that day for xray. I really want to thank you guys so much for your replys and concerns. It makes me feel so much better knowing I can get help from people experienced.
Shelly P.

Shelly I think time is on your side since your last vet visit he couldnt feel them, I am so glad your getting her to the vet no matter what make sure its monday so you dont harm the impending litter or your mommy because of the discharge.

She wont get into the whelping box Shelly until she is ready if at all, Bella (my girl) wouldnt have her babies anywhere else except my bed YIKES and I have all creme bedding nonetheless you want to let her be where she feels most comfortable and safe. Keep all bedroom doors closed so she doesnt decide to have them in a closet or bed without you knowing.

Be sure and arrange with the vet an emergency number in case your mom needs a c-section or have a emergency address and phone number handy right at the phone. Ask your vet for a breeder in your area that might be willing to help you. Trust me things can go wrong and if youve never done this you need that second pair of hands and eyes.

Good example I had a dog tie (outside bitch - Benz was studding) at the same time Bella started whelping had I not had my brother here one of my dogs could have been in distress or harmed. On top of the confusion Bellas first born didnt breathe it took 5 minutes to get a labored breath and another 15 minutes to get him to breathe on his own. For that 15 mins I was breathing for him (mouth to mouth) and finally a loud scream and a rearing up - success -!! Had I not had my brother able to watch Bella begin to whelp her second baby while I was working on her first born I would have lost this little guy.

So Please please please find someone with experience that can help you!!!

hope this helps