How To Tell If A Bitch Is Ready To Whelp?

[JennSLK]

So she's not due untill the 13th, but it may be because Im parindoid allready something is telling me to put her in the big pen for the night.

Any signs I should look out for?

[Romy]

My friend's collie delivered a week early. She said she had a gut feeling it was going to happen early, and was right about the day and everything.

More concrete stuff was her temps, and she went off food the day before she went into labor.

Does she smell the same? Animals always smell different to me within a day or so of giving birth.

[JennSLK]

I think she smells the same. Im not to familure with her. I gave her a bunch of blankets and what not. I hope Im just being paraniod. She's still on her food. Mind you these dogs are food hounds.

[Romy]

It's kind of a funky, subtle tangy smell. Almost a taste more than a smell. I've noticed it with cats, cattle, rabbits, and chinchillas so far.

Fingers crossed she won't be early. Is there anyone that can come help if she does?

[JennSLK]

Well I know the vet's number off by heart. She uses the same one I do. Tailcreek lives kinda close. LOL so she gets a phone call from a stranger at 4am. I know were the scale is and the phone. LOL. Denise is about 5hrs away.

[JennSLK]

Oh, franticly call my mom to take care of Katelynne

[Dekka]

Are you taking her temperature at least 2x a day? Check out the dekklet diary thread to see what I did.

[SisMorphine]

We didn't bother with temps as from what I read it isn't always a good way of telling when a bitch is going to go.

For Teeny I got my phone call at 7:15 telling me to head up because she had diarrhea that morning, she buried her chicken back instead of eating it, and then she grabbed a stuffed rabbit and hid behind the couch with it and refused to let go. Within the hour she had her first pup. I'd say her behavioral signs were pretty darn obvious. LOL!

[Dekka]

I like the temps because its often right (not always) but often. And nothing is 100% (dekka ate right up till going into labour, she nests all the time, etc) The temp also gives you more warning. Dekka wanted to hide in the closet and then went into labour an hour or so later. BUT her temp let me know it was likely happening in the next 24 hours so I would know to not go anywhere that day. We did have once false alarm though.

[bubbatd]

I went by temp and anxiety ,