57 days (today) and counting.

[msbudlite]

My Yorkie is 57 days today from the 1st breeding. So she is due December 26th.

She was quite restless last night and today she's looking for a cold floor to lay on. Plus she's really picky about food. Can't get her to eat very much.

There are 4 puppies possibly 5. The vet said maybe there is one she can't see. But 99% there are 4.

I want to be on top of the whelping signs.

Would someone please post a reliable list.

Thanks in advance.

[bchgirl]

Puppies are born 63 days from the day she ovulated, which may or may not be the date she was bred.

Canine Reproduction Video and Book on Breeding and Whelping dogs by Debbie Jensen for dog breeders and Whelping Supplies needed to deliver puppies.

Whelping Information

[msbudlite]

Thank you for the info and links. Very helpful.

I know it's supposed to be 63 days but my little girl seems to be showing the 1st signs today. How early can these little ones arrive and survive?

thanks

[mommytoSadie]

My female was due Sunday, 12/18, 63 days from first tie and went into labor and delivered on Thursday, 12/15.

She started showing signs on Wednesday. We were told, by xray, 2 weeks prior that she was not pregnant and had a false pregnancy, but one was hiding.

As far as signs, I didn't know they were signs of labor getting ready to start, because I was told she wasn't pregnant. But on Wednesday, she had a huge decrease in appetite, she went up and laid on my teenager's bed (which is very odd, as she avoids his smelly room at all costs LOL) and she didn't even come down barking like a pit bull when the doorbell rang. She also threw up on his bed. I took her temperature around 5pm wednesday night and it was 98 degrees. I was shocked and put my poor yorkipoo through a temp test just to compare their temperatures, when my yorkipoo"s came back at 101. I called the vet.

Took Sadie in to them and to their suprise and mine, the vet said "there's a puppy in there and she is showing early signs of labor". She slept well in our room in a whelping box that my husband scrambled to prepare and she started about 6:30am Thursday becoming restless, slightly panting, very uneasy and shivering. Contractions started at 9:22 and at 10:33am, he was born.

This was my very first birth, but when she started acting funny and not herself Wednesday, I took her temp and that's what started everything. They say that their temperature will drop below 100-99 degrees and once that happens, labor will usually start within 12-24 hours.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[msbudlite]

As for the 3 stages, does this take place over 48 hours?

[luckylady]

The first stage can be easily missed (or at least part of it), as this is when the pups are moving into position, mom may be having some light contractions...but so light that only she knows they are happening (though you may see the bulge of a puppy from time to time), and mom may just want to do nothing more than lay around. In the latter part of this first stage you will notice her being much more restless, have a decrease in appetite, some light vomiting, and light nesting. Her temp will have that drop and/or you will notice that her belly is noticeably cooler to the touch. This part of stage one labor can last at least 24 hours or so.

Stage two is when the pups are born. This can go on for quite a while depending on how many pups you have coming. But strong contractions & pushing per pup should not go on for more than an hour. Between pups mom might rest and contractions & pushing might not start up again for an hour or more. So if you have 3 or 4 pups or more, this stage of labor could go on for quite some time.

[carmen in nj]

My last litter she starting with mild contractions about 6pm and went all night, getting stronger, at 6 am, she had her first puppy, it was my very first daytime whelp...LOL
usually my girls like to whelp at night,so be ready for a marathon once the whelping starts.I give my girls whelping drinks in between and some red raspberry leaf tea,to help them with energy and contractions once labor starts.
best of luck with your girl..
sending good vibes for a fast and safe whelp..
hugs,

[msbudlite]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all the insight. I think basically if my Emmy stops eating everything it's about her time. Hopefully she goes full term which will be this Monday, December 26th.

[msbudlite]

59 days! Still hanging in. 4 days to go.

[msbudlite]

This is day 60. Up at 4:30am. She has rapid breathing. Not panting. She just threw up. Maybe this is the start? She looks so miserable poor soul.

Due December 26th.

[evenstar]

Take a deep breath and relax. Try to be calm so that she can be calm about this as well. Puppies born anywhere between the 56 and 65 days will be fine. I have several litters come on each of these days with no problems whatsoever. If she is carrying 4 to 5 pups, she is very full so will not eat as she normal would. Most just snack off and on during the day and night the last week before whelping - keep food out for her at all times so that if she has the urge to snack, something is available.
Also, you didn't say if she was bred multiple times. If she was, you would start your watch form the 58th day from her first breed until the 63rd day from her last breeding.
Best of luck to you and your girl.

Charlie

Ask me about the 2012 Working Yorkie Group Calendar.

[msbudlite]

She was bred twice. Once on the Monday and again on the Tuesday so the 63 days is this Monday or Tuesday.

She lost her last litter (1) in March, this is why I'm a nervous wreck... The pup separated at 52 days. Happily we are at 60 days with this litter.

Thanks for all the support.

[evenstar]

The next litter after there has been a problem is always nerve racking.
I will say a prayer for both you and her.
I have a girl whose due dates for her first litter is the 26th to January 2nd. I am so hoping she has them in December. I have cute Christmasy names picked out which probably means she will wait until January - contrary thing that she is!! So hopefully you will be watching pups grow as I start my watch for labor.
Another question - just curious. Why did you do back to back days on the breedings? It is usely a good idea to skip a couple of days between so you have a wider spread of coverage since the sperm lives for 72 hours.

Charlie

Ask me about the 2012

[msbudlite]

It was my breeder that did the back to back days. I guess it just happened that way. I talk my Emmy there and leave her for a few days. The last (1st) time the breedings were more apart.

Good luck with your girl. I'll keep you updated.

[msbudlite]

Christmas Eve. 3boys 1girl. All breech! Talk about stress.

Mommy just settle down after 14hours (after birth). She's had a little water but won't eat yet. She's been out numerous times to pee.