Regarding my preg. JRT

Question
QUESTION: My JRT is at her 59th day of being pregnant and for the past week she wont eat any of her 'dog' food. She will only eat 'people' foods. Two days ago, she started panting and kept panting for over an hour. She was also nesting and turning in circles. Of course no pups yet, but my question was...Is the people food going to be ok for the pups while they are inside her? I'm defently going to give the pups the puppy food when its weaning time, but for the mom, she will not eat people food, bad habit for her, but she is healthy and strong. Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Natasha,
I'm a little worried that you said she started panting TWO days ago. Usually when they act like that it's the start of hard labor and pushing. Can you feel the puppies moving inside?
To answer your question, because it's so late in the pregnancy and birth is soon, human food will not hurt her or the puppies in the least. Just don't over do it. It's most important that you have been feeding her and will continue to feed her high quality puppy food which helps in the development of the fetus's bones, organs etc.  Keep her on the puppy food until she has completely finished nursing the puppies - around 4-5 weeks - then you can introduce Esbilac to the puppies and good adult dog food for the mom.
Is this her first litter? She might be very nervous, make sure you have a nice quiet soft warm place away from everyone for her to have those puppies. If there is commotion or noise going on, she can stop her own labor.
Make sure she feels safe and that her puppies will be safe. If she doesn't feel that her puppies are safe she will move them on her own somewhere else (even outside!!) be careful.
Any other help or advice, please feel free to contact me.
Good luck with everything, it's quite an experience. :)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes this is her first litter (she is 3yrs). She is a very 'alert' and a hunting dog, so yes she does jump at every sound. She crys and digs at the kennel when we put her in there, so we moved her to our spare room and we keep her kennel open so she can go in and out. She still hasn't eaten much today, she has nibbled on alittle puppy food. We can feel the pups moving around quite abit today. Her back area is real puffy and her tummy and milk glands have dropped alot. I would like to hear your advice before we make a trip to the vet and spend lots of money if she is ok and just holding them due to her being nervous. We also have the stud in the house (he cant stay outside due to running away), think she is worried about him? To add, the stud is only 11mths old, very nice to her, doesn't follow her, and is not aggressive.

Answer
Hi Natasha,
You need to give her a special place to have the puppies.
I use a little plastic childrens pool with shredded paper and a soft blanket. Her crate is OK but is not going to be easy for you to get at if she needs help.  
Keep it out of the way and away from everyone else.
Yes, she is absolutely nervous about the stud or any other dog or animal in the house. Put her somewhere alone and away from everyone. If she is not eating it's got to be very near the time. Have you been taking her temperature by any chance?  If her temperature is 99 or below, she is very ready to have the puppies.
I don't want to go overboard with the information if you know it already but each puppy is born in it's own sac and has it's own placenta. If you are going to be helping with the delivery make sure you don't pull the puppy straight out, it has to be done in a gentle DOWNWARD motion. Breech is common and OK in puppies. Help your mom dog by breaking the sac open and she will clean and lick the puppy clean. If you have a baby syringe, you can suction out the nose and mouth gently. You can also help and rub the puppy vigorously to get it moving. Be careful of the cord because they bleed. Tie it off with a piece of thread and then cut it.
Your mom dog will try to bite it off but sometimes they bite too close to the belly. Watch closely.
Clean up and throw away the mess and placenta. Some dogs eat their placenta's and that's OK but not too many. I never let my dogs eath theirs, its an old wolf survival instinct and unnecessary for them to eat.  
Give your dog a little ice cream in between puppies to keep up her energy up and to keep her hydrated. Put the new puppies on the mothers nipples.
Please please let me know how it's going!!
Here is my personal email address if you have any questions/concerns, anything!!  carolf1209@yahoo.com
I'll check my mail often to look for you - good luck!!!