Predicting Whelp Date: Using Temperature Analysis

  The chart below can help you in temperature recording.  Keeping track of your dog's temperature can help you estimate, within 24 hours, when labor might begin.
  Usually, the female's temperature will drop sharply 12-24 hours before whelping.  Just 12-24 hours before this temp drop, it often will rise higher then it has been in weeks.

1.  Estimate the 57th day of your dog's pregnancy cycle by counting 57 days from tha date of conception. (conception date=date mated.  If mated more than once, use date of first mating.)

2. Begin taking your dogs temperature on the day that you  estimated  to be day 57 of her cycle.
3. Record her temperature, both in the Am and PM ( best time is when the dog is calm or has been sleeping - NOT after brisk activity).

You may notice a huge increase in temperature right before it drops. Any temperature recorded lower than 99.2 indicates labor could began within 24 hours.

A dog's normal temperature fluctuates between 101-102 degrees.
In the last trimester of pregnancy the pregnant bitch may have a temperature around 100. This is contributed to hormone levels.

Dogs can safely whelp their litters 58 days after conception. After 58 days the pups' lungs are fully developed and they can breath on their own.