My Shih Tzu is 62 days pregnant. Is a hard tummy normal or concerning?

Hello. The average gestation for dogs is 58-68 days, so she should be getting very close. As long as she seems happy, I do not think you have anything to worry about just yet. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Shady. If her appetite has decreased, I suspect that she will have the puppies soon. Dogs can have a variation in gestation periods and she is still within the normal timeframe. If you are concerned though, it is also a good idea to have her seen by her veterinarian. I hope this information helps!

Average gestation period is anywhere from 58-72 days with an average of 65 days, so technically she is not overdue, just longer than the average. I would continue to monitor since she is not showing any signs of being in distress or trouble. If she goes past day 72, then certainly it is worthwhile getting her seen by your vet to ensure the puppies are still healthy and to consider a c-section. Here is a website link to help guide you moving forward --> https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951546 I hope that things work out well for Marshmellow moving forward. Best wishes and take care. : )

She may not be pregnant, the date may be incorrect or she may not have a large litter. Ideally, she should be physically examined by your veterinarian. Pregnancy can be confirmed via palpation, blood test or abdominal x-ray or ultrasound. The imaging may diagnose any other underlying condition as well.

Dogs are pregnant for approximately 63 days, so she is fairly on. It is not uncommon for them to pass some discharge in pregnancy so unless it is very profuse or smelly i wouldnt worry too much. If you are really worried you can have her scanned at the vets to check the pups are ok. The other possibility is that she is further on and gettibg ready to give birth.

It's possible the discharge could be the beginning signs of labor, and keeping the area clean and free of hair and debris will help if she is going into labor. That said, if the discharge continues and she doesn't produce any puppies after a few hours, she seems in distress, or she is in labor for several hours/exhausted without any puppies it is best to seek veterinary care ASAP.

I am sorry to hear about your concern for Tara. I would recommend bringing her in to your vet for examination. If your vet has an ultrasound machine they can use it to check the puppies and ensure they are doing ok/ are not in distress. What concerns me is it sounded like she was going into labor a few days ago, and normally dogs labor will progress and not stop. I would be concerned she is not going through a normal labor, and if she seems lethargic today that is even more concerning. I would get her in to ensure her safety and that of her puppies. You can read more about birthing puppies at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951546