[jgirl42680]

My dog started showing signs of heat around June 26th. She was bleeding around mid July. She is a known escape artist & got out of our backyard many times while in heat. Her nipples seem to have grown, she's been throwing up a couple times a day for 2 days, she's become a bit aggressive & attacked & killed a tiny dog & some chickens & lunged at 3 separate humans. Could she be pregnant & could this be causing her abnormal, aggressive behavior? She's a Pit Bull/American Bully age 9 months. We've never had any problems prior to this!

Thanks in Advance,
Jessica

 

[TiggerBounce]

My dog started showing signs of heat around June 26th. She was bleeding around mid July. She is a known escape artist & got out of our backyard many times while in heat. Her nipples seem to have grown, she's been throwing up a couple times a day for 2 days, she's become a bit aggressive & attacked & killed a tiny dog & some chickens & lunged at 3 separate humans. Could she be pregnant & could this be causing her abnormal, aggressive behavior? She's a Pit Bull/American Bully age 9 months. We've never had any problems prior to this!

Thanks in Advance,
Jessica

I would take her to the vet ASAP.

9 months is WAY too young for her to get pregnant. It's basically like a 12 year old girl getting pregnant. Yes, she is sexually mature, but her body is still not done growing and developing. She will need a vet check up to confirm that she is or isn't pregnant, and make sure everything is ok.

Her aggression could be from pregnancy, but it could also be from pain, or complications from a pregnancy.

 

[Redwood]

Bring her to the vet. While dog aggression and prey drive is common in bully breeds, the rest of her behavior is not. At 9 months she's practically still a puppy herself and not ready to be a mother. If she is pregnant, please gravid spay! Your dog's life can be at risk.

 

[jgirl42680]

Yes

I had her appt made for her spaying. She went into heat 5 days before the appt. They couldn't spay her once she was in heat. I am not trying to be an irresponsible dog owner. BUT, my baby is in risk of euthanasia because she killed a dog & lunged at 3 humans & not one rescue will take her in & the humane society is going to put her down if I surrender her there.

 

[jgirl42680]

The vet just literally said if she is pregnant, it's very early on. If she's not, she could be heat cycling again or having a false pregnancy. If she's doing either of those things that "could" be causing her abnormal aggression. I am trying to find a way I can save her & keep her in my house with my children. That's why I'm asking!

 

[Redwood]

They CAN spay during heat and during pregnancy. It has slightly higher risk but has been done MANY times before safely. Bring her to the vet! If you're worried about your dog being euthanized, find the cause of the problem NOW, not AFTER she bites or kills someone. If your vet isn't checking for other things besides 'is she pregnant', go to another vet.

 

[jgirl42680]

I just left the vet. They are going to house her for a week while we continue to find a home.

 

[Redwood]

If I'm understanding this right.. and correct me if I'm not..

Your dog is acting very abnormal, it may be because of pregnancy or something far worse. You brought it to the vet, the vet presumably gave some sort of evaluation, the results of which are mysterious. And instead of trying to fix the cause of the problem, you're trying to find her a new home? A possibly gravely ill dog, or at the least one that is unstable to the point of being dangerous.

 

[TiggerBounce]

The vet just literally said if she is pregnant, it's very early on. If she's not, she could be heat cycling again or having a false pregnancy. If she's doing either of those things that "could" be causing her abnormal aggression. I am trying to find a way I can save her & keep her in my house with my children. That's why I'm asking!

Call some other vets and let them know your situation and that you want an emergency spay because she might be pregnant. There are vets out there that will do it, you might have to call around first. If you want to get her spayed, you're going to have to do it very soon while she's still very early in the pregnancy. I recall when I had my girls spayed, I even had to sign a waiver that said I acknowledged that this spay procedure would abort any fetuses if the female should be pregnant without me knowing...And I knew for absolute certain my girls were not pregnant when I had it done. The spay will be more risky and might cost more, but you can still have it done to prevent puppies, especially with the situation you're in with her.

In the mean time, I would try to prevent any more bites or attacks the best you can to both people and other dogs. Since you know she can get out, she probably shouldn't be allowed in the yard without supervision or a long line. Start working on training her to accept a basket muzzle, that way you can take her out safely. Here's a link on that Newsletter Vol 2 Spring 2011

Also, for the aggression, you'll want to hire a positive reinforcement behaviorist to come out and help. Here are some links that can help you find one:
Int. Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

The Certified Council of Pet Dog Trainers

Pet Professional Guild

 

[TiggerBounce]

I just cleaned this thread up a bit. Lets not forget the rules. I feel these two are relevant here:

1) Be nice. If you can't be nice, be civil. If you can't be civil, please don't post.
Even if you disagree with another member, you can express your opinion in a way that won't cause hard feelings. Please do so. If somebody doesn't follow this rule and is mean or insulting, please notify a moderator and the moderator will address the issue.

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[SusanLynn]

Hi JGirl,

I wanted to offer you some encouragement earlier, but alas the thread took a bit of a turn last night. I hope you'll come back.

I think TiggerBounce has the best real advice for you in your situation. The whole ordeal sounds really trying, and I wish the best for you and your dog.