What signs show dog is going into labor?
Signs of Labor The normal body temperature of a dog is 101.5° F with variations of one degree above and below normal. About 24 hours before labor begins, the mother dog’s temperature may drop by 2 degrees. By taking the expectant mother’s temperature twice a day and recording it, dog owners may be able to predict quite accurately when the whelping process will begin. Also about 24 hours before labor, milk is produced, the external genitalia become enlarged and soft, and a thick mucous discharge appears. The dog will refuse food and will become quite restless. Since whelping is imminent, this is a good time to allow the dog some brief exercise, as well as one last chance for urination and bowel movements. The mucous vaginal discharge turns to a thin greenish discharge a few hours prior to delivery. Primary uterine contractions (labor) begin shortly afterward. A dog may show no pain from these contractions, but she will be nervous and restless. Whelping When labor signs are first apparen
