How long does it take for a female dog to go into labor after her temp drops?

Question

Her temp has been 100.5 average and this morning read 99.2 and just again 99.8. Is this enough of a drop? Is there anything I can do to help it along? She is a German Shepherd. You can visit www.gspups.weebly.com for updates. I am looking for personal experience only please. I have read allot of books on it. Thanks!

Answer 1

You said you read a lot of books then you should know.  My experience is that it is usually within 24 hours but goes down just a bit more... I look more for the other signs..

since you have read a lot of books I will only refere you to my storefront and the book Breeding a Litter which has excellent post birthing care tips and information.

Also day 62 from the info on your website would put her due around Saturday 23... here is great link for calculating.

http://www.schaferhund.com/gsd_pregnancy...

good luck

Answer 2

your dog should go into labor soon. She should be in her whelping box already. if she must go outside, you can take her but make sure your yard is enclosed and keep an eye on her at all times. There isn`t much you can do to speed the birth along. Birth takes its time. Just make sure she delevers all her puppies head first and she has a Placenta after each puppy and she should be fine

Answer 3

I normally take temps 3 times a day at about the same time every day.  I also keep a chart of the temps and watch for any dramatic drop.  Often the temp will drop and then go up again and with some females, it will go down and stay down for a longer period.  I generally watch for a drop below 99, though since I started to graph my temp charts, I watch for a gradual drop in temperatures.  

The female will usually start showing signs of being in labor 12 - 30 hours after experiencing the temperature drop.  However, this can be held up if the the female is not allowed a quiet dark place in which she feels comfortable to whelp her puppies.  Allow her a place that is out of the activity of the household.  If you don't have a whelping area set up for her, a bathroom that is not going to be used or a large closet in a quiet room will often be acceptable to the female.

Good Luck