Shih-Tzu Pre-Labor

Question
I have a couple of questions regarding my pregnant Shih-Tzu. Her temperature has been fluctuating between 100.4 and 99.1 and she shows no signs of labor. Last night she would dig a little but then would stop. She hasn't stopped eating yet and we are on day 62. A couple of days ago she had a clear sticky discharge, no foul smells or anything like that. This is her first pregnancy. Can you tell me when I should be able to see her labor and what the symptoms are of pre-labor in dogs?

Answer
Hi Lisa

Do you know the temp of this female when she's not pregnant?  Was she sitting in the sun or on a heat register? I personally don't hold to the temperature theory unless you take it the same time in the same place under the same conditions. And with dogs, that's not always possible.

Counting is great too, unless she ovulated after she was bred, then you have to add a few days.  

The hardest thing about expecting puppies, whether they are two legged or four, is the waiting.

By the sounds of things, everything is on track, she's doing fine.  When she's ready she let you know by not eating, panting and digging.

Good luck