Why did my pregnant dog's temperature drop then rise before labor?

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.

Yes, it could be possible Ali is going into labor. Keep an eye on her, and if 24 hours pass after this temperature drop with no sign of puppies, have her seen by a vet. I am concerned about this temperature, it is very low for a dog. A dog's normal temperature is between 101-102.5F. Make sure you are taking the temperature rectally and thermometer isn't inserted into any poop so you can get an accurate reading. Best of luck.

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!

Hi and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! When taking temperature to help predict when whelping will be, be sure to take the temperature at the same time every day to ensure consistency. If the temperature drops below 99F, Molly will likely give birth to her puppies within 24 hours. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!

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! :-)

It's possible this is normal for lady. Watching her behavior will help to predict impending labor and due continue to monitor her temperature. I recommend to have radiographs taken so that you know how many puppies to expect. Small breed dogs can have problems with dystocia if the puppies are too big or if there are too many. Here is a link about normal whelping: https://www.petcoach.co/article/whelping-giving-birth-in-dogs/ I hope this helps and that Lady has a smooth delivery. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

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!