Lily (Pug) 41days pregnant and having clear mucus discharge.

Question
QUESTION: Penny, thank you so much for your help on 12/15/08. Lily is doing well, she is
eating, drinking and SLEEPING very well. She doesn't seem to be getting
very big though. My new worry for today is this, she started having a clear
and smell less mucus discharge. It seems to bother her, meaning as soon as
she sits down, she turns to inspect what is there. Which is a very small spot.
She has a scheduled vet visit for this coming Friday, but should I take her in
tomorrow to has this seen about? Also, if and when will she get bigger, not
that I want to see her suffer with a hugh belly, but as with my own babies, I
always felt good to see my belly getting bigger to prove to me that the baby
was safe and growing. Will I be able to see and feel the babies move? I'm so
sorry for all of the questions, I'm a very worried mama. Thank you so much
for all of your hep! You are priceless to give your help so freely.

ANSWER: Hi Deloris.  A small amount of clear discharge can be normal.  Some dogs don't begin to "show" until the last week or so of their pregnancy.  I have even had people "surprised" by a litter because they didn't even know their dog was expecting.

I'm glad to read that you have a vet appointment scheduled on Friday.  I think, at this point, you can safely wait until then.  In the mean time, keep a close eye on your mommy to be, and record any changes you might observe.  This information will be very helpful to your vet.

I also recommend that you start taking her temp and recording it at the same time each day.  The normal temp for dogs is between 101 & 102.5   When her temp drops below 100 she will be ready to deliver (usually within 24 hrs).

Good luck, and please keep me posted as to her progress.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com

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

QUESTION: It's me again, worried mom of Lily. She is now 43 days, and the discharge is
now more obveious. It still has NO oder at all but looks like baby snot ( sorry
). It looks milky with the tinyest green tint. Could this be vaginist or something
more serious? Could this be her mucus plug? Should I try to take her to the
vet today instead of her scheduled appt. on Friday? Can they do an X-ray at
only 43 days? Ohhhh what was I thinking, I wasn't this worried with my own
babies. Oh, her temp has been the following;
Monday 8:00pm. 99.6
Tuesday 8:00am 100.2.  8:00 pm 100:0
Wednesday 8:00am 99.0

Help!

Answer
Hi Deloris.  I'm happy to read that you are taking your dogs temp and recording it, and I'm sorry for the delay in getting back with you - I was on the road traveling home from the holidays yesterday.

Yes, they can X-ray the puppies at 43 days, but I really don't recommend it.  They don't even let girls under the age of 21 give X-rays due to potential exposure - not to mention the ton of led jackets they pile on pregnant women.  So why would they allow X-rays to be given to expecting dogs?  Because there is no law against it.  I had a litter born with clef plaits once, years ago, and I'm sure it was due to X-ray exposure.  So now, I never recommend it.

I think you are correct in saying that it could be the mucus plug thinning out.  If she is not showing any other symptoms such as;  vomiting, not eating, lack of energy, diarrea, etc then I  think all is well.  However, if you are concerned I would check with your vet.

Good luck, and please keep me posted as to how you are doing. I can't wait to see photo's of the new puppies.

Sincerely,
Penny DiLoreto
www.puppies-dot-com.com