It’s quite exciting waiting for your pregnant dog to give birth to an adorable litter, but it can also be a confusing and daunting experience for both dog owner and their fur baby. That’s why it’s important to learn and understand the process so you know what’s normal, what requires a vet, and when they’re ready to give birth. One thing to know about is the temperature fluctuations your dog experiences, which is usually before birth.
So read on to find out more about pregnant dog temperature fluctuation and when the whelping is about to begin so you can prepare ahead.
Pregnant Dog Temperature Fluctuation
One of the necessary tools when preparing whelping supplies is a thermometer to check your pregnant dog’s temperature before whelping. This is a very important indicator that they are about to give birth!
Not only can this help detect any fevers or issues but knowing their temperature and any fluctuations experience can tell you when your dog is ready to head into labor. It’s best to begin monitoring your dog’s temperature with a digital or rectal thermometer by day 57, or even up to 14 days earlier than their expected date of birth!
Pregnant mothers would usually stop eating a few days before birth, starting to build their “nest” for their litter. Furthermore, they’ll start to pant heavily, with their temperature dropping from 100-102.5 degrees F down to 99 degrees or lower right before they head into labor. During the days leading to the birth, their temperature would drop, being around 100 degrees, fluctuating between 99-101 degrees F.
A good indicator that birth is coming within 24 hours is when they have. rectal temperature below 99 degrees. You’ll need god timing when catching the temperature, as it would go back to 101 degrees just before they begin giving birth. Once the temperature drops, that’s when the first stage of labor begins, and after about 24 hours after the drop, she’ll begin whelping and have their litter of puppies!
However, if they haven’t begun whelping within 24-48 hours after they began the first stage of labor, you’ll need to call their vet for medical intervention. Furthermore, if your dog has a temperature above 102 degrees or 3 degrees lower than their normal temperature, then you need to call your vet immediately or take them to emergency services.
That’s why it’s important to have the thermometer ready to monitor their temperature when they are showing physical signs of labor. It’s also important to keep a graph of the fluctuations in case you will need to call the vet, as he might need all the details.
Plus, the thermometers can be useful in monitoring the temperatures of the new litter, along with their whelping box, which should be of ambient temperature to keep them warm.
Wrapping It Up
When you breed your dog and everything is going well, then you can expect the litter of puppies within 60-63 days. When the whelping day is nearing, it’s totally normal to feel on the edge, which is why you need to know what to expect. When you notice temperature fluctuations, then it’s high time to prepare for the first stage of labor.
I hope that this article regarding pregnant dog temperature fluctuation informed you more about the pregnancy and whelping process. If the time for whelping is coming, then it’s best to start preparing for it with the proper tools and equipment now!