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my jack russell bitch is overdue in her pregnancy

18 11:59:51

Question
QUESTION: My jacrussel bitch is on her 3rd day overdue with her first litter of pups she is tiny only 78 inches tall Im very worried about her she has been producing milk for the past week plz can you help?

ANSWER: Hi Stacy

What some breeders forget is that it's 63 days from the egg getting fertilized not necessarily from the day of mating.  

Did you do x-rays?  If so, how many pups is she expecting and where are they placed?

If she's straining, panting and pushing without result, then you have a problem.  If she's calm with periodic nesting and still eating, you're still okay.

Some female produce milk a week prior to whelp, and some produce after the pups are born. Both are normal.

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

QUESTION: thank u so much foryour fast response she is on her 66th day she was mated on the 1st of august do you have an idea of when she will be due ? just hoping I have my dates wrong she is very quiet and nesting no puffing or panting and still eating kind regards

ANSWER: Was she bred only the once?

Are you comfortable giving her an internal?  Insert your CLEAN middle finger as far as it will go.  If she yelps, or if your finger won't make it in, a pup can't make it out. And that will give you an idea.   If she makes no noise and has lots of flexibility then it's a matter of waiting.

I would give her 24 hours before going to a vet.

Good luck

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

QUESTION: Yes she was only bred the once on the 1st of august, Im not sure i would be comfortable to give her an internal as she is liable to bite me! (her temprement has changed since being pregnant!) she is very quiet at the moment showing no signs of distress in a calm and quiet nest I have prepared for her (Im hopoing this will help) Is it right what I have read even though cookie was only put in once on the 1st of august does it take some more time to fertilise her? I really need an idea of when she may be due I do not want to miss her giving birth incase of complications due to her size.. As you may tell this is my first (and last time) I will be breeding Jacks I have bred many lurcher pups and had no problems all been exactly to the day!

Answer
All dogs are the same in the sense of timing.   If the timing is off, there will be no pups.

Did you confirm her pregnancy?  

Sperm can live 72 hours and eggs need 7 days to mature. So if the eggs where not ready on the first, she may still be on track.