My dog is overdue with one puppy. When should I worry about labor?

Question

My lab girl is due to whelp on sat (if dates correct) with a single pup. How long should I leave it after this time, if she hasn't whelped? I'm worried that she may not produce enough hormones to start whelping and pup may die inutero. Pet's info: Dog | Golden Labrador | Female | spayed | 4 years and 6 months old | 75 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! She will go in to labor regardless of how many puppies she is having. I consider 70 days overdue. The biggest concern for singleton pregnancies is the large size of the one puppy. A lot of dogs with just one puppy need C-sections. I've attached a handout I give my clients on whelping and when to be concerned. I hope this helps and I wish Emma the very best! 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 dog is overdue with one puppy. When should I worry about labor?

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