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My pregnant dog has watery, smelly discharge. Is she going into labor?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Labrador | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 11 months old | 55 lbs

Hii my Labrador bitch is 54 days pregnant and she is releasing a watery discharge from her vagina i am bit worried that every thing is normal or not she became restless and milk is also produced in her nipples... And the discharge have a strong smell also. Plz help

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on July 24th, 2017

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I think you should bring Liza to the Vet if she hasn't had a puppy yet. I am concerned by the watery discharge and the fact you think it smells. She may have started labor. Here are some tips: Stages of Labor: -Stage 1 tends to start 10-24 hours after temperature drop (usually below 99 F). -Stage 1: nesting. Can persist for 3-24 hours before abdominal contractions begin -Stage 2: Visible abdominal contractions. FIRST PUPPY SHOULD ARRIVE WITH IN 1-2 HOURS. -Stage 3: passage of placenta. Usually occurs within 15 mins of passing puppy. If it does not happen, don’t worry. When to worry/Call: -Strong contractions > 45-60 mins without birth of a puppy -Weak and infrequent contractions >4-6 hours without birth of puppy ->4-5 hours between puppies (after birth of first puppy without birth of the next puppy). On average a puppy is born every 45-60 mins. HOWEVER, the mother can often rest for several hours between puppies. This rest period is NOT associated with contractions and usually doesn’t exceed 4-6 hours. -If one puppy is born and she is having VISIBLE contractions for >2 hours without 2nd puppy. Recommend calling around 1 hour mark to talk to someone. -Failure to enter active labor (contractions) 24-36 hours after rectal temp falls below 99 F -Mother is in obvious pain: biting at vulva, crying) -No puppy within 2 hours of seeing green vaginal discharge -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing clear fluid from vulva (rupture of allantochorion) -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing a clear/water filled balloon at vulvar lips (puppy is in birth canal) Good luck!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 28th, 2019

    It could be Loulou has lost her mucus plug, which can happen up to a week before going into labor. Take her temperature rectally twice a day. A dog's normal temperature is between 101-102.5F. Once it drops below 100F, she should have her puppies within 24 hours. Best of luck.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 8th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If you feel she is close to 60 days, then she is likely in stage 1 labor. If she continues to lick her vulva and have blood by the 24 hour mark then I would take her to the Vet. Below is a handout I give clients about when to worry during labor. Good luck! Stages of Labor: -Stage 1 tends to start 10-24 hours after temperature drop (usually below 99 F). -Stage 1: nesting. Can persist for 3-24 hours before abdominal contractions begin -Stage 2: Visible abdominal contractions. FIRST PUPPY SHOULD ARRIVE WITH IN 1-2 HOURS. -Stage 3: passage of placenta. Usually occurs within 15 mins of passing puppy. If it does not happen, don’t worry. When to worry/Call: -Strong contractions > 45-60 mins without birth of a puppy -Weak and infrequent contractions >4-6 hours without birth of puppy ->4-5 hours between puppies (after birth of first puppy without birth of the next puppy). On average a puppy is born every 45-60 mins. HOWEVER, the mother can often rest for several hours between puppies. This rest period is NOT associated with contractions and usually doesn’t exceed 4-6 hours. -If one puppy is born and she is having VISIBLE contractions for >2 hours without 2nd puppy. Recommend calling around 1 hour mark to talk to someone. -Failure to enter active labor (contractions) 24-36 hours after rectal temp falls below 99 F -Mother is in obvious pain: biting at vulva, crying) -No puppy within 2 hours of seeing green vaginal discharge -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing clear fluid from vulva (rupture of allantochorion) -No puppy within 1 hour of seeing a clear/water filled balloon at vulvar lips (puppy is in birth canal)

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