When to Call the Vet During Dog Pregnancy

Being a responsible dog owner during pregnancy means knowing not just how to care for your dog day to day — but also knowing when a situation has moved beyond what you can handle at home and when it is time to pick up the phone and call your vet.

When Bella was pregnant I saved my vet's number in my phone on the very first day I confirmed her pregnancy. I called several times throughout those nine weeks — sometimes for reassurance, sometimes because something genuinely needed attention. Every single call was worth it. Knowing when to reach out is one of the most important skills you can develop as a dog owner during pregnancy.

Here is a complete guide to when you should call your vet during dog pregnancy.

Call Your Vet to Confirm the Pregnancy

The very first call you should make is to confirm the pregnancy and book an initial appointment. Even if you are fairly certain your dog is pregnant based on behavioral and physical signs, a vet confirmation through ultrasound or blood test is essential.

Your vet will confirm the pregnancy, estimate the number of puppies, check your dog's overall health, and advise you on nutrition, exercise, and what to expect in the weeks ahead. This first appointment sets the foundation for everything that follows.

Book this appointment around day 25 to 28 after mating — this is when an ultrasound can first detect heartbeats reliably.

Call If Your Dog Has Severe or Prolonged Vomiting

Mild nausea and occasional vomiting in the first few weeks of pregnancy is normal — similar to morning sickness in humans. However if your dog is vomiting frequently, cannot keep any food or water down, or seems weak and lethargic alongside the vomiting, this is not normal and needs veterinary attention.

Severe vomiting can lead to dangerous dehydration in a pregnant dog and can affect the developing puppies. Do not wait more than 24 hours if vomiting is persistent or severe.

Call If She Stops Eating for More Than 48 Hours

A temporary reduction in appetite in early pregnancy is normal. But if your dog completely refuses to eat for more than 48 hours — especially in the middle or later stages of pregnancy — call your vet. The developing puppies need constant nutrition and prolonged fasting during pregnancy can be harmful.

Note that loss of appetite in the final 24 hours before labor is completely normal and expected — this is different from prolonged food refusal earlier in the pregnancy.

Call If You Notice Any Unusual Vaginal Discharge

A small amount of clear or slightly cloudy discharge during pregnancy can be normal. However contact your vet immediately if you notice:

Green, black, or foul smelling discharge at any point before labor begins

Heavy bright red bleeding at any stage of pregnancy

Any discharge accompanied by fever, pain, or lethargy

These signs can indicate infection, placental problems, or pregnancy loss — all of which require urgent veterinary attention.

Call If Your Dog Seems to Be in Pain

Pregnant dogs should not be in visible pain during a normal pregnancy. If your dog is whimpering, crying, reluctant to move, guarding her belly, or showing signs of significant discomfort at any point during the pregnancy — call your vet.

Pain during pregnancy can indicate several serious conditions including uterine infection, placental separation, or problems with the developing puppies.

Call If You Suspect a Miscarriage or Pregnancy Loss

If your dog's belly seems to have reduced in size suddenly, if she passes tissue or blood, or if she seems to go from showing signs of pregnancy to not showing them — contact your vet as soon as possible.

Pregnancy loss can happen at any stage. In some cases one or more puppies are lost while the rest of the litter continues developing normally. Your vet will perform an ultrasound to assess what is happening and advise on next steps.

Call If Her Temperature Drops Below 98 Degrees

Once you begin taking your dog's temperature twice daily from day 58 — which you absolutely should be doing — a drop to around 98 or 99 degrees Fahrenheit signals that labor will begin within 12 to 24 hours. This is normal and expected.

However if the temperature drops below 97 degrees Fahrenheit or if more than 24 hours pass after the temperature drop with no signs of labor beginning, call your vet immediately. This can indicate a problem with the onset of labor that needs professional assessment.

Call If Labor Has Not Started by Day 65 or 66

A normal dog pregnancy lasts between 58 and 68 days from mating. If day 65 passes with no signs of labor — no nesting, no panting, no restlessness, no temperature drop — contact your vet right away.

Do not wait past day 66 or 67 without speaking to your vet. Puppies that remain in the womb significantly past their due date can be stillborn or can put the mother's life at risk.

Call If Active Labor Lasts More Than 30 Minutes Without a Puppy

Once your dog is actively straining and pushing during labor, the first puppy should arrive within 30 to 45 minutes. If strong, regular contractions have been happening for more than 45 minutes without a puppy being delivered, this is a medical emergency.

A puppy may be stuck in the birth canal — this is called dystocia. Call your vet immediately and do not wait to see if things improve on their own.

Call If More Than Two Hours Pass Between Puppies

Once the first puppy has been delivered, subsequent puppies should follow within two hours of each other. If more than two hours pass between puppies and you know there are more inside — based on your pre-delivery X-ray count — call your vet immediately.

The mother may be exhausted, a puppy may be stuck, or uterine contractions may have stopped. All of these situations require professional attention.

Call If a Puppy Is Not Breathing After Birth

If a puppy is born limp, not breathing, or unresponsive, you can try to stimulate it by rubbing firmly with a warm towel and clearing the airway. If the puppy does not respond within a couple of minutes, call your vet right away. Some vets can guide you through further steps over the phone.

Call If the Mother Shows Signs of Illness After Delivery

The days following delivery are a critical time for the mother. Contact your vet if you notice:

Fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit

Foul smelling vaginal discharge after delivery

Loss of appetite lasting more than 24 hours after delivery

Extreme lethargy or weakness

Mammary glands that are hot, hard, red, or painful — signs of mastitis

Muscle tremors or seizures — signs of eclampsia

Postpartum complications can become life threatening very quickly if left untreated.

When in Doubt — Always Call

This is perhaps the most important advice of all. If something feels wrong — even if you cannot quite explain why — call your vet. You know your dog better than anyone. Trust your instincts.

A phone call costs nothing and takes a few minutes. Missing a warning sign because you talked yourself out of calling can cost much more. Your vet would always rather hear from a cautious owner than be called too late.

My Personal Experience

I called my vet four times during Bella's pregnancy. Once to confirm the pregnancy, once when her appetite dropped significantly in week three and I was worried, once when I noticed a small amount of unusual discharge in week six, and once on the night of delivery when there was a long gap between the third and fourth puppy.

Every single call was handled with patience and reassurance. The discharge turned out to be completely normal. The gap between puppies resolved naturally — but I was glad I had the phone in my hand ready to go. That readiness gave me confidence, and that confidence helped me stay calm for Bella.

Final Thoughts

Knowing when to call your vet is not about being anxious or overreacting — it is about being a responsible and informed dog owner. The signs listed above are your guide. Save your vet's number now, before labor begins. Know the warning signs. And never hesitate to make that call.

Your dog is trusting you with her life and the lives of her puppies. Being willing to ask for help when you need it is one of the most important things you can do for her.

For more dog pregnancy and puppy care guides, keep exploring PawMama! 🐾