Doggie labor, whelping question

[goldmember]

My Golden Retriever is ready to go into labor any time and my concern is that the materials I have read indicate that the puppies require an enviroment of an 80 to 90 degree temperature, the mom has not tolerated temperatures greater than 70 degrees. I have a whelping box and plenty of blankets, if the mom is in the box with her puppies, is her body heat plus the blankets sufficient enough to keep the puppies warm. I am just uneasy for the moms comfort but concerned for the puppies survival.

Any additional advice welcome, as this is my first whelping experience. Thank you in advance.

[Wolffffman]

That would be fine......Kitana was in a similar situation when she was born but room temp, blankets and mom's body heat worked very well

[Wolffffman]

let us know how it goes.....and get pics if you can

[goldmember]

so far nothing, her temp has maintained 98.6 for about 4 hours, so..........wait and see. I try putting her in her whelping box, but she won't stay in there with out me, so she lays in the living area with the whole family. I will definitely take photos. How do I put them on this forum, or can I just have a link to the pictures?

Thanks

[vinjashira]

hope everything goes ok!
please do attach the pics or the link.

[goldmember]

When the temperature drops below 98 is that considered normal and how low can the temp drop and still be considered normal?

Within the last 14 hours she has been panting for 20 minutes, than lying down for 20 and than getting up and panting some more. Are these panting episodes, could that be a contraction she is having?

Thanks

[LorraineO]

I would assume so,, but not having exp with whelping,, I would call my Vets.... BEST place to ask thats for sure!!

[LuvGold00]

Hope I'm not too late,

As the puppies are being born, see if you can get a basket or something with a heating pad in it, put a blanket over the heating pad and keep the temp on MED or LOW, not too hot. Your Golden might need your help! One of my girls always likes me to help her whelp, the other can mostly do it on her own.

If you have ANY problems or anything feel free to email or Instant Message me, I have alot of experience in whelping, its not always easy.

Kara

AOL/AIM Instant Message: SunKissedGoldens

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goldmember]

I added you to my aol buddy list. I appreciate the advice and the help. I have plenty of questions. I think she will do fine, but I have read to much info about things going wrong, thats all.

Just waiting still. Her temp has been 97.6 all day. Is she in pre- labor ? Oh and another concern is that she is not able to reach her back end she is so big.

[bckrazy]

best of luck with your Golden and her babies! Kara is the best person here to ask.. also definately keep in touch with your vet, as I'm sure you have done. we would *love* to see pics of the mom and babies! I hope they all turn out very healthy and happy

[molucass]

How is your dog doing?

[LuvGold00]

After her temp drops its usually within the next 24 hours, I wouldn't leave the house. He size won't matter, she should know what to do. How old is she, you would only have to worry if she was under 2 years old, when they are young some of them might not know what to do with a puppy.

Glad to hear you read up on whelping, keep in touch!

[goldmember]

I stayed up all night with her with the thoughts it was time, sitll nothing. She's just panting and panting and wants to go outside every hour it seems. I have to go to work now and she will be alone for about 4 hours, . I want to call in for work, but it still might be a waiting game and than I will miss work the day she has them. My job is not too steady currently only becuase I missed 2 days last week for my son being sick.

What shall I do... put her in her whelping box, sides up so she cannot get out, or let her have access to the whole house?

I just was hoping she had them already, so It wouldn't come to this.

[goldmember]

her temp is still way down, it has been as low as 94 is that normal? It currently is at 98.2 so it should be anytime. We have been anticipating since Saturday night. Any thoughts please.

[goldmember]

One so far, a female. Nice and healthy. 1lb - 0.4 oz.

She has green coloring all over her bottom area, is this normal??