Getting Close! dropped to 99 degrees!
 

Hi! So I have been looking at the temperatures. This morning, she was at 100.8 (digital) - pretty normal - so I didn't think this was the "spike". Right now I just took 2 readings. The first was 98.7 - but then i worried it was the gel i used for lubrication. 2nd reading was 99.1.

It's Only the 61st day from 1st mating - which I think we should really count 2 days later for the 2nd breeding becuase I don't think the 1st day "took". According to the Debbie Jensen calendar - our expected due date was Friday the 10th. It's only Tuesday night! And it's her first time so the readings said it would be later for a first timer.

Should I call in sick tomorrow? What if it doesn't happen? eek! can u guys tell its my first time or what!

What about the first few days. Is it okay to leave them at home unattended in the pen? or should I take them to work?

Thanks for your help!

Sorry i cant give you any answers but im sure a breeder will answer you soon just wanted to say good luck!

Whelping advice
 

What you must be going thru having to work and leave your baby at home. First I tell anyone who does breed there little family member they need to be aware they need to be there from day 60 from the first breeding on. 58 if they can swing it. I have had them go 58 from the first breeding. Of course I know when they should be bred most of the time. When they will go can depend on what day of the heat cycle they were bred and if you are positive when you caught them coming into heat. Red means you might be a day or two behind what you really think you are. As far as staying home. Anyone's guess. Temp taking is usually not acurate. Eating: some do right before during and right after, so that is not a clue. Watch the discharge, if there is alot of soft slime this can be another indication of time getting near. By time the plug comes out or the water breaks you do not want to be away from the house. My best advice to you is next time do not breed her unless you can afford to take a couple weeks or so off work. Even right after they are born especially with new moms it is so easy for them to lay on them and squeesh them. Shoot my recent mom her second litter still does this! I am always pulling them out from behind her... Mostly this happen's when there are two or more. With one it seems easy for the mom's to control where they are inconjunction to one puppy. But some take a bit for milk to come down and you must make sure they are nursing. I do not leave the house for any length of time for a couple of weeks. Good Luck....

I've been watching her all night. Her temp is 98.9 now. I know I can take her and the pups to work i f I need to but my bf/ex is going to come over a lot (he is a student so has more time).

I just want to make sure to stay home on the right day. I think it will be today then. I just don't know how long does their temp usually stay so low? Until after the births? Then the temp should spike up again?

The books say that once the temp drops to the low 98 degree range, stays there a couple of hours and starts to rise again, labor should begin within 24 hours. This was very true with Gracie's first litter. Her second litter, it stayed in the high 98 degree range. Both times, she carried till her 64th day.

As far as taking off of work, if you can take her with you, do so and keep her in a play pen. They get pretty restless and wanting to stay around you constantly. I can tell when Gracie isn't feeling well and isn't acting herself is a sure sign for me. She eats right up on the day she whelps.

Make sure you have your emergency vets numbers handy...Best of luck and let us know how it goes! The last week of pregnancy can be nerve racking!!!!

Back at home!
 

Her temp was down to 98.5 this morning. Took her in to work with me. She was having a lot of panting in the morning - and each time panting seems longer - I think these are contractions? She didn't want any water, milk, food, nothing. It was 101 yesterday morning and 98.9 by evening (so I am expecting 24 hrs from then).

Brought her back home, she was heavily panting the whole 20 min home. Her temp now is 99.5 - is this sort of a spike? I am expecting things to start moving along this afternoon hopefully. She has made a cocoon out of my blankets on the sofa now. She doesn't want to be in her whelping box. She prefers what she normally sleeps on i guess.

Sounds like you're going to have a long evening/night ahead of you. Let us know how many she has... :)

Hope that things go well!!!!!!
It is going to happen sooooooooonnnnnnnnnnn!!

I can't hardly wait to see the babies!!!!!!!!!!