My pregnant dog's temp is 98-99. Is this normal before giving birth?

Hello there! Congratulations on your impending puppies! If Pebble is close to her due date, the drop is temperature is likely indicative of her starting the labor process. A dog's temperature can drop below 100 degrees starting at about 24 hours before they whelp (give birth). If she is not close to her due date and/or has any other symptoms (lethargy, vomiting, etc), please bring her to a vet as soon as possible. Additionally, I see that Pebble is a chihuahua - small dogs like chihuahuas are notorious for having difficult births, so keep your vet's number handy in case of any trouble. They usually have between 1 and 4 puppies, with 2 being average, and it is not uncommon for one or more of the puppies to be stillborn. Chihuahua mothers may also have trouble passing the head of the puppies as they are very large - if Pebble seems to struggle with passing a pup's head (or any other part of the body), please bring her to the vet ASAP as she may require an emergency cesarean surgery (C-section). Be sure that she has food available during the whelping process in case she wants to eat. During the stress of pregnancy and giving birth, tiny dogs like chihuahuas may have trouble maintaining their blood sugar (glucose). Puppy food is a great choice for birthing moms as it is higher in sugars and calories. Lastly, if she does give birth successfully, she will be at risk for eclampsia as she is feeding the pups. This is when the mom's calcium levels drop dangerously low. Symptoms of eclampsia are twitching or tremors, stiff legs, and weakness. If any of these symptoms develop once she is nursing, bring her to the vet immediately as it may be deadly. I hope that Pebble's whelping is successful, and that you end up with happy, healthy puppies! Good luck!

A pregnant dog's temperature will often dip down up to 48 hours before going into labor. It usually drops to 98-99, then will go back up to normal (100-102). I would watch Tobie for any other signs of labor. If she hasn't had any puppies in 48 hours, it may be best to have her examined by the vet.

Changes in appetite and temperature can indicate labor is close. If she's had a litter before, second and beyond litters will often be closer to 60 days than 63-65, so it is possible she is very close to her due date. I would continue to monitor her, and if she doesn't seem to be progressing to labor (contractions, nesting, waxing of nipples, etc) or seems to be in great distress, have her checked by your vet to make sure there isn't another cause, especially since she is having such a large litter for her size!

This temperature isn't enough of a drop for me to think labor is occurring. It would be down around 99-98F. At 56 days, yes it is still a little early, but because a due date isn't an exact science, more of a guesstimate, it could happen. A dog's normal gestation length is 58-68 days, and if 68 days pass without a sign of labor, I would take Sissy into the vet.

It sounds like Harley is preparing for birth. Average gestation is 63 to 65 days , but parturition (birth) can happen anytime from 58 to 68 days. When the temperature drops by about 1 degree Fahrenheit from her normal temperature you can expect her to give birth within 24 to 48 hours. This is not a 100% surefire determination, so do not panic if it takes a bit longer. Watch her for building a nest, dripping milk, and general nervousness. These will also be signs of an impending birth. Here is some useful information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/whelping-giving-birth-in-dogs/

It's not difficult to take your dog's temperature rectally, but it is a task best performed by two people. Have someone hold the dog still, preferably someone the dog knows and likes. If no help is available, make your dog lie down on her side and hold her as best you can, while talking to her soothingly. After shaking down the thermometer (or use a digital thermometer) and lubricating it well with petroleum jelly or K-Y, lift his tail and gently push the thermometer in. Insert the thermometer from one to three inches, depending on the size of your dog and hold it in place for at least two minutes (or until it beeps, for a digital). After you remove the thermometer, wipe it clean and read the temperature by the height of the silver column of mercury on the thermometer scale. A temperature of 100.5° to 102°F degrees is normal.

Hello, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. As labor is approaching, a pregnant dog's temperature generally drops by a degree or more. Once this happens, whelping should start within the next 24 hours. Sounds like it's time to get ready for Sage's puppies! Good luck! :-)