pregnant lab

[don-key]

My lab is within 2 weeks of having her pups. In the last 4 days she has slowed down. She is a very active dog. When she gets up, she seems stiff and has a hard time to get going. She eats and drinks, wags her tail and seems to be happy when she is near me. I'm wondering if anyone has had this happen to their pet. Is it normal for a dog to be this way before having pups?

[growler~GateKeeper]

Hi don-key welcome to the forum. You will find the vast majority of the members here are pro spay & neuter and have not had a pregnant animal in their care. Your best bet is contacting your vet to ask all pregnancy related questions you may have, they can then tell if you should bring your lab in to be checked over. Good Luck

[Melinda]

sorry, in my 53 yrs I've never owned an unaltered pet. responsible pet owner here and I always spay or neuter, good luck to your lab , hope nothing goes wrong for her.

[Longblades]

There are some breeders on this board and also a few rescuers who have fostered pregnant dogs. Hopefully one will be along shortly to reassure you. In the meantime I agree a phone call, at least, to your Vet is in order. Have you put your Vet on alert in case of complications? Or arranged with a local E-Vet? Hope this is not required but as you sound inexperienced it would be a good idea. Most breeders I know arrange for another experienced breeder to be with them at whelping time so prior arrangements might be taken as a prerequisite.

[erykah1310]

I would recommend you contact your mentor and or vet as soon as possible, it is normal for them to slow down and relax prior to whelping, but I am sorry but if you are on here asking for very basic information, you NEED to have someone knowledgeable to assist you in delivering these pups. Whelping is not always a natural and pleasant experience, you need to keep track of placentas and pups and make sure all come out with each pup. If one is stuck you will need to know how much time is too much in between pups and when a shot of oxytocin is required.
I would recommend sitting down with your vet and getting to know the risks and warning signs that you need to know as a breeder.

[don-key]

I have contacted my vet and he has told me that nothing is wrong. I appreciate the replies I received. I really don't care that most of you support spaying and neutering. How did you obtain your pet? Not from a spayed animal I assume. I wanted my lab to have 1 litter of pups before she gets spayed. This was a planned event. I am not an irresponsible pet owner, just a concerned one that wanted to ask a question. I live on a grain farm and raise livestock for a living. It's not like I have not had any experience in the birth of any animals. I have run a farrow to finish hog operation for 20 years. I came to this forum to ask a question and not to be lectured on spaying or neutering my pet. I can appreciate your views on spaying and neutering. Anyone who owns a pet should consider this, as ther are way to many pets neglected and abandoned. I do not support anyone who neglects their pet. I am an animal lover as well. I consider my dog to be a member of our family. So save your lectures for the people who neglect and abandon their pets.