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Thank you so much to everyone who was able to respond last night, it really helped me to think things through . I've never before dealt with a pregnant/lactating female dog, so this was all brand new to me.
Here's the update after this morning's vet visit:
It appears she is roughly 2 years old (older than I thought), no puppies inside (thank you! ), her pups - wherever they might be - are possibly as old as 6 weeks, but she was with them just recently (last 24 hours?) because she is full of milk.
My vet feels this dog was a breeder . We checked for worms and there were none of any kind (no heartworms, no belly worms). This would be unusual in a feral dog unless she was very lucky. It appears this dog was well taken care of nutritionally and medically (she's probably been getting heartworm prevention and was probably wormed for belly worms too). The scarring/bite wounds could be from being caged up with other dogs (she does not seem at all familiar with the concept of being indoors...probably caged).
Timing as it is, and the fact that she was free to travel back to her pups yesterday if they were in the vicinity (instead of running up and down my street), my vet said it's likely someone bred her, let her barely wean her pups, and then dumped her yesterday .
He said that even though 6 weeks is really too young, people who do this want the money and they usually sell the pups young. This dog looks "pit enough" to be used as a breeder, though she is very small and looking at her, you wouldn't normally think "I should breed this dog". Her pups would come out looking pit enough to sell .
THE GOOD NEWS........health-wise, she's looking quite good. She'll be spayed soon enough and he gave her a shot to dry up her milk, we'll have to watch for Mastitis. Temperment-wise, she is great, he said she would have no problem being adopted out.
FOR NOW........she is in the care of my vet for today. Tomorrow morning, we'll take my female dog to meet her there and see how they do together. My vet said since this dog is much smaller than mine, if she'll take a submissive role with my female, it might work out, but if not, we should be able to get her adopted through a rescue group - she's that sweet of a dog .
If she passes muster with my female, then she'll meet my male dog and then we'll see how she does with cats & birds........baby steps !
Thank you so much to everyone who was able to respond last night, it really helped me to think things through . I've never before dealt with a pregnant/lactating female dog, so this was all brand new to me.
Here's the update after this morning's vet visit:
It appears she is roughly 2 years old (older than I thought), no puppies inside (thank you! ), her pups - wherever they might be - are possibly as old as 6 weeks, but she was with them just recently (last 24 hours?) because she is full of milk.
My vet feels this dog was a breeder . We checked for worms and there were none of any kind (no heartworms, no belly worms). This would be unusual in a feral dog unless she was very lucky. It appears this dog was well taken care of nutritionally and medically (she's probably been getting heartworm prevention and was probably wormed for belly worms too). The scarring/bite wounds could be from being caged up with other dogs (she does not seem at all familiar with the concept of being indoors...probably caged).
Timing as it is, and the fact that she was free to travel back to her pups yesterday if they were in the vicinity (instead of running up and down my street), my vet said it's likely someone bred her, let her barely wean her pups, and then dumped her yesterday .
He said that even though 6 weeks is really too young, people who do this want the money and they usually sell the pups young. This dog looks "pit enough" to be used as a breeder, though she is very small and looking at her, you wouldn't normally think "I should breed this dog". Her pups would come out looking pit enough to sell .
THE GOOD NEWS........health-wise, she's looking quite good. She'll be spayed soon enough and he gave her a shot to dry up her milk, we'll have to watch for Mastitis. Temperment-wise, she is great, he said she would have no problem being adopted out.
FOR NOW........she is in the care of my vet for today. Tomorrow morning, we'll take my female dog to meet her there and see how they do together. My vet said since this dog is much smaller than mine, if she'll take a submissive role with my female, it might work out, but if not, we should be able to get her adopted through a rescue group - she's that sweet of a dog .
If she passes muster with my female, then she'll meet my male dog and then we'll see how she does with cats & birds........baby steps !
This is what I thought. She was dumped. Very sad. How confused she must be. Thank you for taking care of her.
This is what I thought. She was dumped. Very sad. How confused she must be. Thank you for taking care of her.
Greenie
Isn't it terrible? Though I have to say, I'm relieved that the decision to keep her overnight appears to be the right one......we were really stressing over that one (could you tell by my panicked typing ?).
She's still scared and trembling quite a bit, tail tucked under and all that, but she seems to have a good spirit, so I know she's going to be okay .
I'll try to get some pics tomorrow......she's got a cute little mug !
You and your hubby are amazing people. Pits have such a bad rap. Most people would have just called animal control. Pit Bulls are usually always destroyed if picked up. I have no doubt you will be able to find a loving home for her if you are not able to keep her. It breaks my heart when I hear about animals who are abused. Very sad. I am a firm believer that anyone capable of harming an animal is capable of harming a human.
You Did A Wonderful Thing For The Dog!! Have You Picked A Name For Her Yet? I Hope U Get To Keep Her She Will Return All The Care And Love U Gave Her. I Have A Pit, A Rottie, And A Boxer. Ha All The Dogs With Bad Reps, They Are All Very Loving.. As For Kitty Slowly It Will Work Out.. Best Wishes.
You and your husband are both really kind to go to so much trouble for a stray - there are plenty of people out there who would have just kept on walking.
Are there any rescue organisations near you that you can call for advice? They might be able to suggest something or offer some practical help.
Best wishes
Stuart
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*update*
. I've never before dealt with a pregnant/lactating female dog, so this was all brand new to me.
), her pups - wherever they might be - are possibly as old as 6 weeks, but she was with them just recently (last 24 hours?) because she is full of milk.
. We checked for worms and there were none of any kind (no heartworms, no belly worms). This would be unusual in a feral dog unless she was very lucky. It appears this dog was well taken care of nutritionally and medically (she's probably been getting heartworm prevention and was probably wormed for belly worms too). The scarring/bite wounds could be from being caged up with other dogs (she does not seem at all familiar with the concept of being indoors...probably caged).
!
