If your dog is going into labor early, immediately contact your veterinarian or call the nearest emergency veterinarian for guidance. Start taking the temperature of the dog twice a day during day 60 and watch for a drop in baseline temperature. However, your dog could go into labor a few days earlier or later, so keep an eye out for signs that your dog is going to give birth such as: Dilation of the vulva and pelvic ligaments. About 12 hours to 24 hours before productive labor begins, the dog’s temperature will drop from 101.5 F, which is normal, to between 98 F and 100 F. If your dog doesn’t go into labor within 24 hours after the temperature drop, call your veterinarian. Knowing and understanding normal labor and delivery, as well as proper pregnancy care, can help make the process go more smoothly and help you know what is normal and when it is time to get the veterinarian involved. "The night before my induction my dog … Do this three times a day -- at the same time each day -- and record the results. Approximately 12 hours before the pups are born your dog's (a female pregnant dog is called a bitch) temperature may drop below 100 from the normal range which is between 100 to 102. Signs of Whelping - 12 Hours Before Birth. Start to take your dog's rectal temperature 2 to 3 days prior to the expected birth. Drop in body temperature. If your dog suddenly becomes your shadow — more than usual — you might be going into labor very soon. You can make this prediction by working with your vet and looking for signs at home that your dog is about to whelp. The gestation period for a dog ranges from 56 to 69 days, with 63 being the average. Appetite loss. Scientists and animal behaviorist claim that dogs sense oncoming labor due to a combination of scent and feeling the changes in human behavior. Stage 1 Licking of the genitals, restlessness and a reluctance to eat are some of the signs that she is within 24 hours of labor. Being able to predict when your dog will whelp will help you prepare her and your home for the arrival of her puppies. Some dog breeds cannot whelp their own puppies (English Bulldogs), and veterinary assistance will be required. The average length of dog pregnancies is 63 days. As you now know, a dog's pregnancy ends in week 9, with delivery usually taking place between days 60-63. The puppies will arrive in 12–24 hours after the dam's temperature drops to 98 degrees, which means that the labor process will soon begin. Living and Management. Your dog will most probably require medical treatment, either for an illness or to remove stillborn fetuses. The first stage is actually a “pre-labor” which can last anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. 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