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Pregnant dog's temp dropped, lethargic. Are puppies coming tonight?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Shih Tzu | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 10 months old | 17 lbs

My dogs temp was 97.6 last night at1am and 98.1 this morning and stayed there for 6 hours. She is distant and lethargic. She is on day 57 of her pregnancy. Do you think this was a random temp drop it should we expect puppies tonight?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on July 17th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Holly. I would not be surprised if puppies came tonight. Should the morning come and there are no puppies or signs of labor, have her seen by a vet to be safe. I hope this helps!

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My Willow’s temp is 98.6 tonight, she is very lethargic, has been leaking milk for days. Should we be getting close? Her temp went to 98.9 the other night but then came back up. But she wasn’t acting like she is now. She was more her normal self.
Hello and thank you for reaching out to Boop by Petco. Based off of this information, it is possible that Willow is close to whelping. Some bitches stop eating during the last twenty-four hours before labor, and may act differently. The rectal temperature will drop below 100F (37.8C), usually an hour or two before whelping. I would keep a close eye on her tonight to see if she progresses to the second stage of labor. Second stage labor is the stage of delivery. She will start to strain. If straining continues for two hours without any signs of a watery discharge ("water breaking") or puppies, you should contact your veterinarian. Most dogs experience no complications with delivery. First time mothers should be attended by their owners until at least one or two puppies have been born. I hope this is helpful!
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Hello, I need some advice. My husky malamute mix is due any day now. Her temp dropped Saturday night at around 10pm to 98.8f. She was slightly restless and was panting a little bit. The next morning, she still had an appetite and was wanting to eat a
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! How many days pregnant is she? Usually they enter stage 1 labor about 24 hours after the temperature drop. They can be in stage 1 labor for up to 24hrs as well. I consider 70 days overdue. If she doesn't start going into stage 2 labor tonight then I would take her to the Vet tomorrow and confirm she is pregnant (if you haven't done so). and that she isn't experiencing a false pregnancy. I've attached a handout I provide my clients, in case it may help. I wish you the 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 infrequ
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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 cle
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! 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 p
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My five year old pitbull was breed July 5 due date should be n 8 days 9/5/2018 any ways I started taking her temperature a few days back first day 99.9 yesterday 100.0 and two times today and both times to it was 98.3
Hi and thanks for posting on Boop by Petco! When taking temperature to help predict when whelping will be, be sure to take the temperature at the same time every day to ensure consistency. If the temperature drops below 99F, Molly will likely give birth to her puppies within 24 hours. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!
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My pregnant GSD temperature dropped below 100 degrees, should I be expecting for her to be having puppies?.
Congrats! Yes expect puppies within the next 24 hrs. You should see her start to nest, so provide adequate blankets/towels for her. Then you will see her panting, becoming restless and having contractions. After the contractions start puppies should be delivered within 30 mins on average. If she seems to be having complications and not producing puppies within that time frame, or if you see green or black discharge then she needs to go to an ER vet immediately. Hopefully all goes well and she has an uneventful labor. Best of luck!
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Pregnant and her boobs have been hang down for about 4 days she had got real tired last couple of days she cam barely walk when will she start having the puppies. And how can we tell if she needs help having them
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My Chihuahua is 61 days pregnant today her temp is 98.8. She doesn't show any other signs of labor. Could this be it?
Hello, and thanks for using Boop by Petco. As labor is approaching, a pregnant dog's temperature generally drops by a degree or more. Once this happens, whelping should start within the next 24 hours. Sounds like it's time to get ready for Sage's puppies! Good luck! :-)
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hello, my dog is pregnant in her last trimester and I took her temp and it is at 98.7 is she going into labor soon? Also she had a small prolapse in her vagina the doctor gave her antibiotics and it had brung it down to almost a grape size now is she
When a dog's temperature drops below 100F, they should give birth to puppies within 24 hours. Keep an eye on her, and if 24 hours pass with no sign of puppies, bring her into the vet for a health check. Hopefully she should be able to push out her puppies safely. Best of luck.
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I'm working for one of my mom's clients and she has a pregnant dog I just took her temperature and it's below a hundred how do I know when she should start having the puppies and how many should I expect in a large breed dog?
Once the temperature drops below 100F, puppies should be born within 24 hours. It can vary how many puppies to expect, some dogs have large litters while it's possible that some large breed dogs only have one puppy. Without seeing her in person, I can't say how much puppies to expect. Best of luck.
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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.
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