is there something wrong with my pregnant dog?

hi, I have a pregnant dog that’s expected to give birth this week said by my vet. I don’t have an actual date since this pregnancy was unexpected because my male dog managed to successfully mate with her while I was at work. I’ve been taking frequent temperature checks but theres a problem. Two days ago, her temperature dropped to 99°F and I was thinking she’d start giving birth in the next 24/48 hours. It’s been two days but no sign of her being in labor and just now I took a temp check and noticed her temperature raised back to 100°. Why did it go up?

Hello!  I am really pleased that you have asked this question but first, please brace yourself for a comment - not aimed at you, as you have clearly discovered how difficult it is to keep entire female and male dogs apart together in the same household.  Rather, this is for anyone else reading,  because mating is so much easier and faster than people expect - I've heard 'we'll just keep them apart' so many times over the years and I should just save myself time and book in the pregnancy scan the second I hear it.  A female dog in season and a male in proximity both become extremely determined.  If two dogs tie together in coitus, there is a 50% or more chance of pregnancy.  If two young, un-neutered dogs live in the same household, there is a very high chance that they will mate. It's worth mentioning that chemical castration techniques may now be available from your vet. Sex ed lecture over, let me see if I can answer your question.

You sound as if you've done your research and are familiar with the process of regularly checking the female's temperature prior to whelping - ideally every 12 hours - in order to detect a drop in rectal temperature that occurs before whelping takes place.  However, it is worth noting that dogs' rectal temperatures can change for other reasons - most commonly, if the thermometer isn't pressed properly against the rectal wall - which can lead to a misread taking place.

For this reason, we would suggest that there is not necessarily a need to worry.  However, we would always reccommend calling your vets immediately and perhaps talking through the thermometer technique and explaining your concern, as they may want to review her case.  You haven't mentioned whether a scan has taken place and it's obviously difficult to tell at what stage of pregnancy your Mum to be is at (furthermore, the length of pregnancy in dogs can vary dramatically depending on the time of the season at which she mates), but talking all this through with your vet may prove extremely useful.

Finally, best of luck with your impeding arrivals - and do let us know how your baby gets on at this very special time.

(To answer a query I've had about "chemical castration" - it sounds horrific doesn't it!  What is meant by this phrases is use of drugs or implants to prevent conception in males.  This is frequently practised now and is not as sinister as it may sound! - it's worth a chat to your vet if this is something that interests anyone)