My pregnant dog has temp drop, milk, discharge. Is labor coming?

Question

My Australian Shpherd is 52-53 days pregnant this is her first litter over the last 24 hours her temperature started at 100. 3 spiked up to 100.9 and has now dropped down to 99.7 she has milk coming from her teats as well as a pretty big chunk of clear mucus like discharge hanging from her vulva could this mean labor really soon? Pet's info: Dog | Australian Shepherd | Female | unspayed | 2 years and 9 months old | 65 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It could mean labor is soon. Mild can come in days to a week before labor. I'd want to see the temperature consistently stay lower. If it does it should mean stage 1 labor should begin in 24 hours. I just want to be sure you have confirmed pregnancy. If not then keep in mind pseudopregnancy and an infected uterus. I've attached a handout I provide for my clients. 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)

My pregnant dog has temp drop, milk, discharge. Is labor coming?

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