Temp. taking before birth...
 

Sorry, this question is for our Aussie, Stormie.... but I've learned so much on YT that I was thinking I could get a little help from the breeders here.

Her 61st day is on Saturday. Last year (her first litter) she delivered about that time. Kind of took us by surprise because I was counting on a few more days to go yet. So this time we have her ready and resting indoors in her whelping box and taking her temperature twice a day. On Debbie Jensen's site it says to look for a spike (around 101 or so) and then a drop. Last time I think we missed the spike because she delivered a little over a day after we started taking her temperature. I really thought we'd started taking it early enough this time but here are her temps.... day 55 - 99.7, day 56 - 99.6 (only taken once a day because she wasn't very cooperative and we didn't want to stress her too much), today (day 57) - 98.6. So do you think I'm still looking for the "spike" or maybe we're on the downhill? Debbie Jensen's chart shows an up and down range between 99 and 100 for a few days before the spike. Maybe I'm just reading too much into this but am still confused. Someone is trying to be home with her most of the time throughout the day. I just don't want to miss the birth! I think she could do just fine on her own but I want to be there to help like I did the first time. There's almost nothing like watching babies come into the world (furbutts or otherwise!!).

I am a temp taker and I have found every girl to be very different but most times once I get in the 98's, I have babies within the next 24 hours :)

Well wishes for a safe whelp!

Do you always see that spike though? Maybe we should have started taking it even sooner again. But if she would have spiked before Sunday, we would have pups by now. Maybe she'll still spike. And is day 57 okay or still too early? I thought I read that they really need to get to day 58 at least.

I can just picture that with taking temps on Yorkies it might just be a little easier. At least they have a tail that you can kinda hold up and make the process a little smoother. :p Stormie has NO tail which has been making this a little more difficult than it should be. I really trimmed her hair good around there but it's still been quite a booger to do this! ;)

One thing is, she's still eating and not acting strangely just yet. Just resting a lot in her warm blankets. But I seriously can't recall any "different" behavior last time either. And she had them so quick.... 5 pups within 45 minutes. I do hope we are there for it this time too.

Tatum (Yorkie) and Blaze (her son from previous litter) were really sniffing around on her a lot on Sunday. And she was being real cuddly with us - like she was trying to tell us something. I wonder what the other dogs are sniffing.... could it be milk coming in or just something only other animals know? I sure wish they could talk!!;)

There isn't always a spike in temp and with a temp that's dropped to 98...I'd expect pups within 12 - 24 hours too. Btw, she'll deliver 63 days from the date she ovulated...which may or may not be the date you bred her.

Well, see that's what's hard to pinpoint..... On her 12th day, the stud was interested but she wouldn't stand so they AI'd her. Then on her 14th day, they got a natural breeding. They got another natural breed on her 16th or 17th day. I was counting from the 14th day (which happens to be Nov. 14th). I was kinda going by her previous time also..... the breeder was concerned because she wouldn't stand for the stud when they thought she should so they did some testing and found that she was actually later than "normal" coming in (however that's worded) so I guess all that I've read doesn't really apply here. I don't know... confused a little. But, after all that, if she DID ovulate on the 12th (when she was AI'd), her 63rd day would be Thursday! Eek! I don't know why I try so hard to control this.... it's ultimately out of my control, right?? :p Better let my boss know my calculations may have been off a few days and to not be surprised if I call in tomorrow or Thursday. ;) Woo Hoo!!! Babies!!

A female can whelp anytime from her 58th day of her first breeding to her 63 or a bit beyond of her last breeding. It's all dependent on when she ovulated as to when she concieved.

Temp taking varies from female to female....I have had females who never have a temp fluxuation prior to whelping and eat up to the last minute.


Bottom line what will be will be and a watched pot never boils. Just keep her quiet and calm.....she'll have them when she's ready.

I know.... she's being quite pampered and not hovered over. I'm just getting anxious being at work - an hour away from her! Hubby is working from home today so he'll let me know if anything happens but given how quickly she whelped last time, I would hate to miss it all because I have to drive so far to get home.

Thanks for all of your help!!

Progesterone testing? If it was at it's peak...that's the day you'd count from.

Yes, they did progesterone testing last year when they had her to breed to their stud (they live in Kansas, we're in TX) because she seemed to be later than normal and wouldn't stand for him but then they also found out she had a stricture. The wife works for a vet so that came in real handy. They did find out from the testing that she was later to come in so I was kinda banking on that this time too. I think this is why I was figuring the date to be this Saturday but may actually be tomorrow or Thursday. They did NOT do progesterone testing this time because she stood for him on her 14th day. They did do an AI on the 12th day just to be covered for sure. Last time she had a stricture that prevented a natural covering so she was AI'd every time. This time we got a natural breeding twice after the AI.

Ugh.... 99.5 last night, 98.5 this morning. Maybe it will still spike?? Who knows. Nervous now that I'm back at work an hour away from her.

The temperature watch will drive you slightly insane. :D Mine hovered around 99 the entire time....and suddenly it dropped. A lot. Not home to give you a definitive number...but it wasn't mere tenths of a degree

I never saw a spike though...

I know... it is a bit nervewracking! Especially since Stormie REALLY doesn't like it. And it's not easy to do since she has no tail to hold up. Poor girl.... so violated! :p Waiting for that big drop I guess. Or maybe she'll just keep me confused. ;)

Babies are here! I posted a pic in my thread under "Brothers and Sisters" forum.