Miss Molly Day 62: Whelping Notes

UPDATE: Since posting this earlier in the day Molly has had her first temperature drop below 100.  It is 99.6 at 7:30 p.m.  Since there have been no fluctuations at all we are watching her closely. It could rise again of course. - Ann
UPDATE: Didn't want to leave you hanging, especially those who are on a vacation and checking in! It was an initial fluctuation because temp went back up a full degree. Would have loved for it to have remained below 100 but this is how it goes as we hurry up and wait.  Molly is doing great despite her obvious discomfort.  - Ann

Day 62 from first breeding with Scooby.  Molly was content to spend the night in her whelping box with some gentle persuasion.  As much as I enjoy Molly sleeping with me it's not in her best interest to keep jumping off or stuggling to climb up to be next to me. It's hard for her to find or remain in a comfortable position, afterall the cot is twin and not queen or king sized!  The whole idea of the whelping box anyway is to provide ample space for her to stretch, roll, scratch, dig or whatever. She knows I am nearby and I know she is safe. I walked her outdoors a few times during the night to stretch her legs and eliminate.  The pressure on her bladder increases in relation to her size.  Even if she doesn't always have to 'pee' she may feel the need to.  Also as the pups continue to progress along in their journey through the uterine horns until the actual delivery Molly will begin to feel as if she has to push for a bowel moment.  The frequent walking/exercising coincides with her need for smaller and more frequent meals.  She's also enjoying having her belly rubbed, ears scratched, and simply being loved on.

Because Mollys temperature is not fluctuating (staying at 100.2) it will make the drop in her temperature more certain.  Up and down is typical for a week before but as labor approaches it is more likely the temp will linger at 100 degrees.  When it drops below 100, I begin to take temps much more frequently. When it drops below 99 or lower and stays there, pups will usually arrive within 24 - 48 hours.  This is the hurry up and wait period, and it's a time I use to review whelping notes from the past, gather my canine reproduction books, and maybe catch up on some reading.  (I am in the 5th book of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series, - the Fiery Cross.  Thanks Julie!) 

Speaking of books, for those following along in the Monks of New Skete "Art of Raising a Puppy" you'll find yourself right at home in Chapter One "Monks as Midwife".  Because Molly Rose knows she is about ready to deliver a liter of pups she absolutely wants John or I, or both of us to be near.  The puppy room is a wonderful controlled environment just perfect for Molly's natural and maternal instincts to kick in.  She can dig away to her hearts content.  During the day she has rull reign of the entire puppy room, as labor approaches we will encourage her to actually whelp her pups in the whelping box.  However, as the 3 stages of labor progress she may have her puppies anywhere she likes in the puppy room. We are all set.  And the puppy basket awaits (Thanks again Steve and Steph).

Just for reference, the following is recognized as text book stages of labor.  Each situation is unique but this information may be helpful to some and it is always important to have a vet on standby when/if there are any deviations from the following and take no chances. When a breeder is worried that something may be wrong, it is better to call your vet than second guess yourself.  Usually the vet will reassure you but also will know when to bring your laboring girl in.  Most breeders have taken at least one trip to an emergency clinic on a holiday afternoon or in the middle of the night. 
Stage 1
The first stage of labor typically begins 24 hours after the dog's rectal temperature drops from around 101 degrees F to 98 or 99 degrees F. The mother dog will appear anxious and restless and may look for a place to hide, retreating behind furniture or into a closet. She will commonly begin "nesting"--pulling towels and fabric into a pile on the floor, shredding paper, etc. where she can give birth. She may refuse food, start panting and pacing, and may vomit. Although there are no visible contractions at this point, the cervix is beginning to soften and dilate.Stage 1 normally lasts 6 to 12 hours, and the cervix will be completely dilated at the end of it.

Stage 2
The second stage starts when the first puppy enters the birth canal and the mother begins active contractions to give birth. Heavy, strong abdominal spasms are visible by this time, and the dog will either lie down or rest on one side of her haunches to expose her vulva. She may vocalize as the contractions become stronger and the puppy's amniotic sac emerges from her vulva. Usually, one large contraction will push the puppy completely out and the mother will begin licking the sac away from its face within seconds. The mother may rest after the birth of the first puppy. 

Stage 3
The delivery of the placenta (the organ that provides nutrition to the puppy while in the uterus) indicates the onset of stage three labor. This normally occurs 5 to 10 minutes after the birth of the puppy. If several puppies are delivered in rapid succession, several placentas may be delivered at one time. The mother dog usually eats the placenta, which then releases the hormone oxytocin into her system and allows her colostrum to flow. There should be one placenta per puppy.

Whelping
The mother dog will repeat stages two and three until all of the puppies are born. She may rest between each birth or have several puppies at one time and then rest. Typically, each puppy will begin nursing directly after it is born, and the mother will clean and lick her newborns even as she is contracting for the next birth.

We'll be taking Mollys temperature again later this evening.  If John's prediction is right there should be a drop.  Molly and Scooby had several succesful ties so it's always possible we're off.  But one thing is true, pups are always born 63 days after ovulation regardless of how we humans are counting! We may not always know the exact day of ovulation even when we know breeding occurred.  Well, for sure tomorrow is Brook's birthday and it would be nice to have pups then!  Take care and God bless, John, Ann, Molly and ATB