worried owner here

Question
My Lab is on her 64th day and started panting heavily and nesting yesterday afternoon. I took her to my vet this morning because I was worried...she had 9 pups on her first litter and the last 3 had to be taken by c-section. I got worried because I thought maybe she might be in trouble with this litter. My vet said that she was not dialated yet and that I should expect her to deliver with in 4-6 hours. It has now been 12 hours and she has yet to start anything. She is still panting like crazy and is very restless. I have seen stringy mucus but no sign of anything else...should I be concerned or is it too early too worry yet? Her temp at last check was 99.5.

Thanks in advance
S.Clausen

Answer
Hi Shelley

How long was it from her last section?

Typically when a dam has a section she has to have another.  There is usually a reason for a section in the first place, obstruction, tilted pelvis, exhaustion, etc.

Did you do x-rays prior to see how many pups to expect and if her pregnancy was "normal"?

The thing is sometimes it takes longer to get things going, some time they happen quickly.  What was her last whelping experience like?

She sounds like she's in the first part of her whelping, try taking her out for short walks, gravity has a way of repositioning pups, give her some vanilla ice cream and contact your vet or local emergency center. You may feel better speaking to a live person and having a vet on stand by in case a section is required.

Good luck