Is my pregnant dog in labor? She's restless, nesting, teats swollen.

Hello, sorry to hear about Xena. She may be going into labor soon. Monitor her for any signs of labor without producing any puppies as this could indicate that she is having a dystocia. Signs may include lethargy, panting, vocalizing, pain, and eventually dullness. Otherwise, ensure Xena has a padded area that is warm and dry for her to deliver her puppies. Best of luck and hope this helps.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Shadow. She is likely displaying nesting behavior. This is an early sign of labor. Body temperature typically drops below 99 degrees approximately 24 hours prior to delivering the puppies. She appears close to this drop. I recommend monitoring her closely as I suspect she will have the puppies soon. However, if you are concerned, please contact her veterinarian. They will know her specific case details and can give you more accurate recommendations. I hope this information helps!

It sounds like she might be showing signs of early labor, but it also could be normal behavior for the end of pregnancy. I would recommend seeing your veterinarian for an exam and an x-ray if you haven't already seen them recently - it is very helpful to take an x-ray to count puppies late in pregnancy. That way you know approximately how many puppies to expect. You should also start checking her rectal temperature with a well lubricated digital thermometer three times a day to establish a baseline (make sure it's at the same time every day) - usually a dog's baseline temperature will drop by one full degree prior to labor. If Luna's temperature drops but you don't see puppies within 24 hours you should see a veterinarian to make sure everything is okay.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Based off of this information, it is possible that Willow is close to whelping. Some bitches stop eating during the last twenty-four hours before labor, and may act differently. The rectal temperature will drop below 100F (37.8C), usually an hour or two before whelping. I would keep a close eye on her tonight to see if she progresses to the second stage of labor. Second stage labor is the stage of delivery. She will start to strain. If straining continues for two hours without any signs of a watery discharge ("water breaking") or puppies, you should contact your veterinarian. Most dogs experience no complications with delivery. First time mothers should be attended by their owners until at least one or two puppies have been born. I hope this is helpful!

Nesting can be a sign associated with the first stage of labor, and when this is the case you would expect puppies within 24 hours. It can also be a relatively vague sign that can occur weeks before puppies come. If Vill is nearing the end of her pregnancy it could help to monitor her rectal temperature 2-3 times daily. A drop of one degree or more usually means puppies should arrive within 24 hours.

56 days is a bit early, but it is possible she could be in labor, or closer to her due date than thought. Signs of labor can include visible contractions, changes in body temperature, lack of appetite, and waxing of the nipples (producing a milk substance). I would keep an eye on her, and if she doesn't have any puppies within a few hours of signs of labor, or she seems in great distress/is extremely exhausted take her into your vet ASAP for care to make sure there isn't a stuck puppy or other illness or complication causing her early symptoms.

If her temperature remains below 37.7 celsius, then yes she will likely go into labor within the next 24 hrs. The next stage of labor is nesting, whimpering and then stomach contractions. Here is a website link with more information on signs of labor and signs of any complications --> https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951546 I hope that Millie has her puppies here soon without any issues warranting a vet visit. Best of luck to you both and take care!