whepling pug

Question
QUESTION: My female pug is almost 2 yrs old.  She locked up with our 8 month old Boston terrier earlier this year. I knew nothing about the process of counting day so I have no idea of the actual date.  She appears the be ready to whelp.  She has woken me up the last two nights panting.  I saw milk yesterday.  I made her a whelping box but she will not use it, she follows me around constantly.  How can I tell if it is time?  I have never taken a dogs tempature so please don't tell me that.  Thank you for your help.
ANSWER: Hi Carol,

Place newspaper/old sheets in the whelping box.  If this is her first go she's most likely looking to you for direction.

Sit with her in the box and pet her and get her use to being in there.  If she seems more restless and "off" she should be close to her time.

Although I won't tell you to.. taking a temperature is easy and painless...insert and read.  When her temp drops it's close to the time.

Good luck.

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

QUESTION: two questions:

How long after milk is readily available do they usually whelp?

Isn't it too late to start taking temps?

Ok three how long do you have to leave the thermomator in?


Answer
Sometimes milk will come down a day or two prior to whelping (sometimes it comes in after all the pups are born).

Another sure sign that your female is close is that she is "off her feed".

Leave the thermometer in to the count of 25.  Rectal temperature will drop to an average 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit somewhere between 8 - 24 hours prior to whelping.  A rise in her temperature during labor over 103.5 should be report to your vet as it could be a sign of infection.  

Good luck!