Pregnant dog's belly dropped & panting heavily. Is she in labor?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog is pregnant. She is due sometime this week. Yesterday I couldn't see her ribs and today I can. It's like her belly dropped underneath her. She is also panting heavy. Does this mean labor?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 9th, 2019
Yes these are possible signs of labor. She could give birth anytime in the next 48hours. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 17th, 2017
you will see the contractions when they happen, it's hard to miss, the abdominal wall will tense up in waves every few minutes, but she is still very far from the due date so i would not expect anything at the moment. regarding the fall i wouldn't worry about it too much either, she is probably fine.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
New Pet
Lillith is 58 days pregnant (from one and only mating) she has been right on schedule by that count (as far as when she began showing, when you could see and feel pups move) yesterday, she started eating very little to nothing. Vomited a couple times
Yes she could possibly start labor anytime in the next 24 hours. If in 24hours you do not see any sign of it, I would recommend a check up especially if notice diarrhoea, more vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi there. I have a 9 year old Maltese that is 63 days pregnant. She is panting a lot since last night. She is lying most of the day on one spot, but moans every now and again. Could the panting be from the heat as it is hot, or could she be close to
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Snowy. She is likely getting close to delivering her pups. Most dogs will pant, pace and become restless in the hours leading up to labor. You can also monitor her body temperature. Usually the temperature will drop below 99 degrees Fahrenheit approximately 24 hours before labor. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog is 61 days pregnant and for the last 16 hours she has been heavy breathing and not wanting to leave her bed. She did go out to potty twice. She doesn't want me away from her and won't eat. Is this first stage of labor and if so shouldn't it ha
Hello. This very well can be the first stages of labor, & this can last 24-36 hours. Once you start to see her having contractions ( can see her actually pushing ), she should start having puppies in the first 15-30 minutes after observing this. If she starts pushing & no puppies are delivered within an hour, you may need to have her evaluated by your veterinarian, but it sounds like she is progressing nicely for now. You may have puppies very soon! Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My pregnant dog is breathing super heavy no food she only want water no sleep at all constantly pacing or under me
Depending on how far along she is in pregnancy, these can be signs she is in the first stage of labor. The first stage of labor can last up to 18 hours. Should 18 hours pass after these signs and there is no sign of progression and further labor, have her seen by a vet right away. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Better Day to our online Doc. Lyca ( golden retriever) is on her 62 days of pregnancy and tomorrow will be her due date ( 6/10/2017 breed).I am monitoring her behavior ,she keeps on panning her tail,she doesn't allow to touch her tummy ,keeps on stre
Yes they are she should start giving birth any time soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how she is getting on. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog is pregnant and I think she is going into labor she is breathing fast and loud licking a lot very uncomfortable. She will move around in a panic then lay down completely still on and off I took temp with human thermometer under front pit beca
Yes these can be signs of labour and she could deliver any time soon in the next 12 hours. Temperature has to be taken intra-rectally otherwise is not reliable. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog have been panting for over a couple hours and shaking and whining. She's very pregnant. Due any day....even Now but there haven't been any signs of puppy's being born. She sounds like she in is pain. It's been like this since like 11pm
Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Quinn. It sounds like she could be in the first stage of labor. That can last up to 18 hours, so keep monitoring her. If 18 hours pass and she has not progressed to the second stage of labor (contractions and giving birth), get her into a vet immediately. If you feel she is in a lot of pain, you can take her into a vet now to get checked out to be safe. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
My dog is now 62 days pregnant she has started panting on and off she was shivering last night how long till pups are due Her temp all day on the 14.4.19 was 37.4
Sorry, I should have put the temperature in Celcius when I answered your last question. Once it drops below 37.7C, the dog should have puppies within 24 hours. If it's been almost 24 hours since Sasha's temperature drop, you will need to have her checked out by a vet now. I can't be more specific about when the puppies will come beyond that, it's impossible for me to say without seeing her in person. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my pug elly is pregnent she is 63 days from first mating & 58 days from last mating, last night around 10pm she started panting very heavy for hours, she then lost a clear stringy discharge at 2am, her temp is sitting around 37.5c but my main conc
Stage one of labor can last up to 18 hours, and if Elly's temperature has dropped to 37.5C, she should have her puppies within 24 hours. Should 24 hours pass after this temperature drop with no sign of puppies, take her into the vet. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My female is pregnant and just threw up yellow bile. Her temp Is 99.9 F and she's breathing heavy.
The temperature prior to labor depends on the species (dog or [cat](https://www.petcoach.co/article/queening-giving-birth-in-cats)). Your dog’s temperature should be between 101 and 102.5 Fahrenheit. When a [pregnant dog's](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/pregnancy) body temperature drops below 100F, she should begin labor within twenty-four hours. This does not happen for ALL dogs however (99.9 is cutting it close to normal and does not necessarily mean delivering is happening soon). We need to look for other signs that [whelping](https://www.petcoach.co/article/whelping-giving-birth-in-dogs) is imminent as well. During the first stage of labor the cervix begins to dilate and uterine contractions begin. These contractions are painful and perplexing to the dog. She will appear quite uncomfortable and restless - pacing, shivering and panting. She probably will not eat and she may even vomit. Some dogs whine persistently. Others occupy themselves building a nest. Uterine contractio
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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