I don't think she was used for fighting at all Those look like wounds she caused her self or Could have even been attacked by a wild animal since she was in the yard.

Ann, it looks like you have a diamond in the 'ruff'. I'd say she lucked out in finding you.

The wounds on her head looks more like deep scratches, like from a fence, than from fighting. Her belly pic shows she definitely had a recent litter but most likely not currently nursing. Did you try to express some milk? That might be telling as to whether she still has nursing pups somewhere.

My youngest son has 2 pits (well, one is a mix) and they are both real sweeties. He also has a small poodle and 2 mini-dachshund, chi mixes and all the dogs get along very well.

We had Christmas dinner over there yesterday and there were some puppies there that some of his in-laws had. The pits had never seen these dogs before but were very tolerant of them. One of the pups was very small and Sadie, my son's pit girl, just wanted to baby him. Turk, the male, was a little less tolerant but only gave a little warning growl and walked away when the pups tried to jump at his face.

If you go back to that house, just look around the yard and it should be obvious if a pit lived there. There should be a path at the fence line and maybe a hole or two in the yard. It may well be that the owners moved and abandoned her so she may need a new home.

I know your babies are very small and you should be cautious for now. And, like you said, you don't know her health history. I would think that Ambrey, being a girl and recent mom, would take right to your babies, though. You have to err on the side of caution but she may fit in better than you might imagine if you have her for a while.

Best of luck to you with her and I hope for a good resolution, whatever it may be. :):)

Jim

Ann, I know it is a remote possibility, but you should have her scanned for a chip. Just in case.

Alison

Thank you all SO much :)! I'm going to have her scanned tomorrow (the Humane Ass'n says they don't have a tech available to scan her today) so we'll scan her Sunday.

Mardelin/Jim...how do I try to express milk, just in case - just w/ gentle pressure (downward?)?

I drove by that house today, but was by myself...and a little nervous...so I took down the Agent's phone and am going to ask if house is empty for sure...if yes, then I'm heading over again today for a SNOOP.

I think wounds are infected - UPDATE post/pics following...

So, I slept with another woman last night :p. Yep, I brought her in last night...as you all probably knew I would. I brought her into a guest bedroom and she was great; prior to that - she had some quality sofa time w/ me (um, hopped right up there :rolleyes:!).

Before we gave her a bath today...gave her a full inspection - btwn toes, armpits, around tail - you know, the full deal - she just loved all the fawning and sat/laid there, lol. Nothing really of note except these occasional scratches/bumps throughout body...whatever these are (?). But the real ones of note (right now) are on the head. I don't think this is fleas or mites...at least I sure hope not.

Anyway...lol...giving a bath to a BIG dog is NOT the same as a yorkie...note to all :p. Wow, she was dirty. Smells so good now :D.

So, we gently cleaned her head wounds and put on anti-biotic ointment and *boom*, right after that, they started draining like crazy! I think they are infected and would be turning into abscesses soon...if they aren't already on their way (see pics...this is just a dab of "drainage" here...they are all draining quite a bit now, which is good, really). Once I saw it draining, I put some prescription anti-bio ointment on these areas, which I have on hand....she just sits and lets me do it...I can tell her head is itching her - so that's probably why these wounds keep opening on her (her claws are opening them up). Luckily, the ointment I have on hand also treats staph.

Intermittent paw licking/foreleg itching going on...wouldn't be surprised if this is solely due to her head itching/driving her nuts...we'll see.

She is REALLY FUNNY...a character. Hops around pouncing at stuff. Thinks she is a lap dog. Our boys still have not met her, but when they hear her, they lose their yorkie minds, of course...very dramatic here right now :rolleyes:.

Pics attached of these draining wounds (obvs. needs to see a vet) and her brand new collar. Btw, heard back from Pit Rescue and they are full, of course.

Very gently grasp at the base of the nipple and squeeze inward. If she's lactating you'll immediately know.

Ann,

Clean her wounds with peroxide with sterile guauze pads and apply a triple antibiotic....you can purchase at any drug store. If you can, get her to a vet and have the vet check her, he'll definately prescribe oral antibiotics and most likely a stronger topical.

Oh, PHEW...tried 3 nipples...very gently...nothing at all came out.

Mary, I did clean the wounds very well...that's when they seemed to "free up" and begin to drain, actually, which I'm glad about right now bc I think they were on their way to abscessing :(. It now looks like they are pretty much done w/ the major drainage. (but still draining :()

Luckily, I do have prescription anti-bio ointment here at home (treats staph. too) -- but I agree, she will need oral anti-bios as well. I'm waiting to hear back from the Pit Rescue to see if they have a vet they recommend -- otherwise, it'll be to my vet's colleague (my vet out of town).

Poor girl...I wonder how long her head has been infected like this :thumbdown.

Well at least she isn't lactating. Could have been the owners sold the pups and left her. So sad.........

Keep us informed.

She does have a brindle coat, and looking in her eyes shows a wonderful soul. Her wounds are not from being faught, fighting would show signs of tearing,and these are more like surface wounds from a scuffle or abuse.. I'm glad she's taking to you. Have you let her see the babies a little more. I wouldn't push it, but you need to increase the time that they see each other to determine her personality with them. Thanks for not taking her to the shelter as they would have put her down. If you decide to rehome her be very careful, and ask a price that would discourage back yard breeders and fighters. Whenever I sold one of my pitbulls I always did a home visit before I'd let them go. People can tell you anything, but the truth is in the pudding. If they ask you questions like will she be a good watch dog, has she come from a fighting family, or things like she seems to be a very strong dog, if they try to antagonize(sp) her to see how she reacts these are all bad signs. Also just listening to the people talk about her could give you warning signs. If I didn't live so far away, and was not in the middle of trying to move to another state I'd gladly take her in. Best wishes, and thank you for not being scared of her breed. Whoops she has had a litter. Much to young for her.

Well, you give a fairly firm (but not pinching) squeeze while you're pulling down. Don't just grab the end of the nipple but rather go back to the base a little more and squeeze and pull at the same time. You should be able to tell by just looking if she's still producing milk. Her teats should be bigger by now than when you first got her.

She has found and Angel in you!! I hope she heals and can find a loving home.

That's what we're thinking too...sold the pups, left her. :(.

Great comments/thoughts - thank you! I will be very, very careful if she goes anywhere - I totally agree with you. If she stays w/ us for any amount of time, she will be spayed, have shots etc.; will likely see my vet's colleague on Monday. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Good point! They are no larger. I'm pretty sure she's not lactating. So relieved. :)

Thank you :). Btw...we did go back to that "For Sale" house today, where I thought she may have come from. Talked to the neighbors...and they said the woman who used to live there has been gone for months, and they don't recall her having a dog - so though she may have come from that neighborhood...it doesn't appear to be that For Sale house. I bet the "back door" gate is same as her old house. We did look around the entire back yard at that house too...no clues/signs.

Also...her head wounds look like they emptied of the pus...I'm blotting them and applying prescription ointment - I talked to my vet's office and consulted over phone...will probably be going in Monday if she is still with us...I'm thinking she will be given how full rescues are...she's really a sweetie. :)

{lastly...ack, this is long...she finally pottied and poo-ed -- and all looks really good; I keep Solid Gold Barking at The Moon in my car at all times for strays...so this is what I've given her since her arrival...guess I'll keep doing that for now...}

LOVE IT :D! I think that's so wonderful and I love hearing things like this...especially w/ all that we hear *lately* in this world :rolleyes:.

Your story reminds me of when I lived in Denver (or Boulder?) and I found an injured bird...had NO IDEA what to do...ended up locating a wonderful woman who was called "The Bird Lady" -- I took the bird to her house - she had a crow living in her Living Room - his name was "Edgar Allan Crow" - lol!

I will never forget her, thanks for bringing that memory back for me :).

Just was checking in to see how things were going. And have to add... I LOVE her new collar!!!

Hi Ann, I was thinking about your new guest and wondering how she is doing. I was talking to my BF about her today, and how wonderful it is that a kind person like you found her is and giving her the help she needs! Hope all is going well!

If she was a fighting Pitt she would have definitely in a heart-beat went after your baby/babies. Fighting Pitts are social with humans , cause they are used to being beat so she would have been ok with you for fear you would hurt her , but no way with another dog. I don't think she was used for fighting. Another thing fighting Pitts are just not let go, when their time is up in the "Ring" they are killed.

I think she is gorgeous and I think your an angel. With all the talk about Pitts you still opened your heart and home for this baby girl. You are one special lady.. :hug: Good Luck !

I love her new collar too, it looks so dang cute on her, I gotta say! Update below :)...

Thanks so much :) :) :).

She is just super sweet...a total CUDDLER. Took her to Humane Ass'n today to be scanned...no surprise...no chip. She was great w/ new humans there - sat for a treat, was very excited, happy, a spaz - lol!

She met 2 dogs while there - she was not dominant at all - she was wagging her tail, happy, engaging, excited, curious. GOOD SIGNS :).

Btw, she is not possessive at all of food, treats, bones/chews, or toys. :thumbup:

Her head wounds are looking much better today --> not nearly draining as much, but I still think they are infected. I think now this is pyoderma / staph infection secondary to something. I will be calling a vet tomorrow that a rescue recommended and get her in asap.

The rescues here are all full and can't really offer me anything at this time except guidance, which I appreciate :)! So, it looks like she will be staying with us for awhile -- and we will need to get her spayed, vet-checked, shots etc -- after we get her more urgent issues (her head wounds etc.) addressed. One of the rescues is going to stay in touch and continue to work w/ me, and one of their board members is a Pit-lover, so she may foster eventually - but is full right now :).

Me and hubby talked about introducing the boys...and we just can't do it bc we don't yet know her health status (anything contagious). But most importantly...the size difference is so great, and she is so powerful. I actually think she is more gentle than other big dogs we've found...but seeing her play w/ a small toy...wow...and seeing her on a leash w/ my husband...she is one STRONG girl.

But I really think she would not intend to hurt a bug...it's just not her way. She's a big pile of goo. That's all she has in her as far as we can tell. The problem is, our other "2 piles of goo" are very small, LOL :D!

All you have described are great signs and prove she isn't a fighting Pitt for sure :D She wouldn't act that way if she was. Again I think your a wonderful, caring person . I think your doing the right thing concerning your other babies . It makes me feel SO happy to know there are people like yourself out there in this world.. :hug:

Ann those are scars from fighting. Poor baby. She was probably fought and bred in the past or they tried to use her as bait with another dog. She sounds like a sweetie. Poor baby.

Ann fighting pitts tend to have an issue with dogs that are their size or larger. She sounds like a good soul. Slowly introduce her and see how it goes. I love pitts. Our family has had them for years. They are not people aggressive unless taught.

With all the home foreclosures going on, could she be a victim?

She was not a fighter or her reactions would be aggressive. If she even saw another dog no matter the size she would react violently. You may be right as to her being used as bait though.

Pitts in my personal experience are never threatened by smaller dogs. As long as the dog is not their size or larger they pay them no mind. They are ok with cats as long as they are raised with them. You can walk my dad's pit and he won't bat an eye lash at a smaller dog. He loves all animals. His gets a bit alert if there is a dog his size or larger that shows any size of dominance towards him. I take my pup over to my dads and don't bat an eye that she is running around playing. He lays on his back and lets her jump all over him.

It's just my opinion. I have been involved in Pitt Fighting /Rescue on the streets of NY for 10 years and it is not what I have seen. Your dad's pitt I am sure is loved and cared for. The bait is not always a larger dog it is in fact smaller animals, that is why I have the opinion of any size dog would trigger a violent reaction. Again it's JMO :)

Ann - you did what many many people would never think to do or be too scared to do - Take in that`little doll.

It seems after reading all your posts that she must have gotten loose or was left behind/abandoned and that makes it even more special that you saved her.

I would think her trust level would be ZERO if she had been abused and the scars and injuries could be from her being out in the world trying to survive or maybe she was attacked by another dog ....considering her head injuries it very well could be from fences. But as far as 'bait' I would think that would show also. (how anyone could do that to an animal makes me sick to think of) :(

She must have known at least a little love by humans or she'd be scared and untrusting...they do remember and it would show in her temperment

She's a lucky lucky dog that you found her and not someone else. There are so many dogs that meet fateful ends especially when homeless.

All the best and good luck with whatever decision you make. She's going to have a great life thanks to you.

Thanks for all the support, it's so heartwarming :)!

I took Ambrey to the vet today (omg, she is sooo powerful for me on a leash, lol, I'm so used to yorkies :D). GOOD HEALTH. She kissed the tech. and was so excited to be at the Vet - wanted to meet everyone, but tried very hard to be good too, tried to "sit" and only whine occasionally, but look imploringly at everyone at ALL TIMES :p. She was a spaz here and there, but I expected that (Wylie is way worse, actually, embarrassing :rolleyes:).

Nothing contagious (ie, fleas, mites etc). Vitals great. No ear infection (just dirty). Vet thinks about a year old, not much more really. This vet is into rescue and sat on the floor the whole time with Ambrey - and was just awed by "what a great dog" she was :). Weighs 38 pounds.

As for her head, Clavamox pills twice a day for 7 days, and she said it should clear right up! How great/simple is that??! Other than that, she said it does look like she is coming out of or into heat...so we'll see. And she said -- great health, great dog -- only things left to do are vax and spay. I don't want to do either until I am sure her infection is clearing and she is more secure.

PHEW! I'm super relieved that she didn't think the head infections were abcessing...

Sooooo happy to hear she is in good health, and my goodness she is just a baby!! She sounds like such a sweetie! :p

[QUOTE=Wylie's Mom;2931492]

I took Ambrey to the vet today Other than that, she said it does look like she is coming out of or into heat...so we'll see. QUOTE]

Gee, does that mean there may be a chance she is pregnant, or would the vet have known that? Was the vet able to scan for a chip?

Glad she is doing so well.