Overdue, or Having a False Pregnancy

Is Bitch Overdue, or Having a False Pregnancy?

My Australian Shepherd was bred 67 days ago, and she is not showing. She has had three litters prior to this one, and she is producing milk, but we do not feel any puppies.

With all of her prior litters you could tell she was pregnant. We aren't sure what to do. Her temperature has been right around 100.3 degrees F for the last three days.

• Is that a sign that she is getting close?
• Are there any other signs that would let us know she is about ready to have the puppies?
• Could she just have a very small litter, and that is why we can't tell she is pregnant?
• When should we take her into a vet to check her?

Thanks--Susan

Expert Reply

Hi Susan,

Regardless of her due date, it sounds like it will be a very small litter if she has one at all. Exactly how many times did you breed her this last season? Would it be 67 days from the first breeding or the last, because you won't know which day she took on.

Her temperature is normal at this point, so I don't think it a case of a dead pup, or she would likely be running a fever by now, but continue to take her temperature as long as you've been tracking it already. The pre-labor drop usually goes down to 99 degrees F, and remains there for two consecutive readings taken 12 hours apart.

I think at this point it's worth consulting with your vet to find out if he/she can feel any pups in there. There's a chance that she's having a false pregnancy, and yes, she could come into milk even if there are no pups. Continue to treat her as if she's pregnant, and make an appointment with your vet.

Thanks for your question~~ Kelly

Follow Up Questions

We bred our dog three days in a row, so this would now be her 68th day from the last breeding. Her temperature is now running at 101.7 as of two hours ago. She is still acting like her normal self. What would be a high temperature for a dog with dead puppies? Do I need to have an ultrasound done or should I just have them palpate her?

If she is having a false pregnancy, will she continue to have them? Should we sell her and get a different female to breed? She has never had a false pregnancy before that we are aware of. She has been producing milk now for about three weeks. Is it usual for them to start producing milk that early before they have puppies or does that indicate a false pregnancy?

Do most dogs act very strange while in labor? My mother-in-law has an Australian Shepherd that pants very hard and needs attention all the time while she is in labor. Do all dogs do that?

Thanks for your help.

Concerned~~ Susan

Expert Reply

Wow, you have a lot of questions. Let me answer them this way. Up to 102 degrees F is a normal temperature for dogs. when it starts creeping beyond that point you need to get to a vet.

That said, I still recommend you take her to the vet to figure out if she's pregnant or not. I'm suspecting not, but your vet can tell you for sure. One false pregnancy does not necessarily mean it will become a habit.

As for the milk, yes, it's a little unusual to come in three weeks early, but it's not completely unheard of. And yes, many bitches in labor want their favorite human around them. Others prefer to be given space to attend to things themselves.

Should you get rid of your bitch just because she may not produce more pups? Certainly not. I would hope you value her for the wonderful pet she is. This is something I feel very strongly about. This is a companion pet, not a business to be sold off when it no longer becomes profitable.

Please take my suggestions to heart.

~~ Kelly.