AboutJennifer Walker Expertise I can answer questions on breeding and genetics, including coat colors and white markings; breed-specific issues; general health and genetic disease; nutrition and raw diet; behavior and training; conformation showing; and basic obedience and agility competition.
Experience I have owned Boxers for over a decade; I bred my first litter (which produced my first AKC Champion) nine years ago; I am an officer of my local Boxer Club and a Committee Member and Committee Chair of the American Boxer Club; I answer all e-mail inquiries from the American Boxer Club website; I moderate several Boxer-related message forums and mailing lists, and administrate one of each, as well as actively participating on many others.
Organizations Michigan Boxer Club
American Boxer Club
American Boxer Charitable Foundation
Midwest Boxer Health Alliance
Publications The Boxer Ring
Boxer Champions - 1988-2004
Education/Credentials I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Michigan State University; since graduation I have taken online seminars on nutrition, breeding, and health.
Expert: Jennifer Walker Date: 7/10/2008 Subject: Boxer in Labor
Question This is our first time. She is due three days ago if we are correct. She is panting and resting. She is breathing through her mouth and is all over the place in her bed when she is panting.
She is looking at her backside and seems to be staring at us. I am lost? What do we do? Is she close?
Answer Have you been taking her temperature twice a day? This is usually the best "home" indication of impending labor - when the temperature drops below 99F and stays down, labor will start within 24 hours. Most bitches will pant, shiver, and nest starting 24-36 hours before they go into labor; you may see a slight discharge when she loses her mucous plug, and when she gets closer to delivering you might see her contractions rippling along her abdomen. However, some bitches (especially if they have small litters) don't go into active labor, so you want to be sure that's not the case here.
If you don't know her ovulation date (whelping is 62-63 days post-ovulation), and if her temperature is down and you haven't been tracking it, then I'd get her to the vet to be sure there are no problems; they can do an ultrasound or x-ray to see where the puppies are, or they can do a progesterone test (progesterone drops just before a bitch goes into labor). If she's not in active labor but her progesterone is down and the pups are in position, she may need a c-section.
This article has quite a bit of detail and good information on impending whelping; it's about Corgis but most of the information is relevant for any breed. http://www.jimanie.com/lists/archive16.html
