Petunia just gave birth...
 

Dekalb County Animal Services has been working hard to get Petunia into a shelter before she had babies. We pulled her yesterday and she was already having contractions around 11pm she had baby #1, 12 hours later she had baby #11. All the babies are healthy and she's doing great! Normally we spay pregnant animals because the rescued are overwhelmed right not, but obviously there was no time in Petunia's case. She is such a sweet girl, she constantly gives kisses which is why the staff was working over time trying to get her into a shelter. We bonded pretty quick over the last 24 hours. These guys will be available for adoption after they are fixed, including Petunia who is about a year old but she will also have to go through heartworm treatment after she is done nursing.

Donations would be greatly appreciated, the adoption fees won't nearly cover the cost of expenses. Donations can be made via Send Money, Pay Online or Set Up a Merchant Account with PayPal through our email address abrevents@gmail.com or mailed to Atlanta Bully Rescue, PO Box 17868, Atlanta, GA 30316 We are a nonprifit 501(3)(c)


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---------- Post added at 03:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:00 PM ----------

This is from when we went to go pick her up:

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While Petunia took a potty break I got a pic of all of them together. She will only potty outside, even when she was in labor. If I stand by them and she needs to go, she makes a mad dash to the door, does her business and comes running back.
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http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/blink.gif If I hadnt just lost gus I would totally be stealing mama

awww, they are all so adorable and precious http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/aww.gif

Awww what a sweet looking mama. The best I can say about animal services was at least they provided a bin and a blankie - just in case http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/frown.png SO glad you guys were able to save her!

I better not let Andrew see this thread! lol

Do I see some blonde pups in there? Such a sucker for the blondes! Petunia sounds like a great dog and a very good momma. I hope she and the babies find great homes!

Becuse she has heartworm will the pups have it too?

I think that is still being debated by Vets. Some Vets say, "yes, it can happen," and other Vets say, "no." Because the test requires at least 6-7 months for HW to test positive, I would think that's the earliest the puppies could be tested, too. I know there are some HW preventatives out there that are safe for puppies, but I wouldn't know about giving the preventatives until after the puppy has been tested.

No, heartworms can only be transmitted by mosquitoes. But if a mother has them and is being kept outside with her babies during mosquito season it's very likely for a mosquito to bite her and then bite the puppies, transferring the larvae. It takes a while for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms, so if the puppies go on heartworm preventative as soon as they're old enough, you shouldn't have anything to worry about. The rate of heartworms in Atlanta is alarming. We've had 3 heartworm positive dogs come to us in the past 8 months. It blows my mind how many people don't use preventative. We had a litter of puppies surrendered by a BYB because the mom and dad both died from heartworms and the owner didn't treat them. It used to be about $700-$1,000 to treat them at a vet, but now there is a lowcost clinic near us that does it for $200-$400 depending on size.

Poor Petunia will have to nurse puppies and then go on movement restriction after her heartworm treatment. She is such a sweet girl, I hate seeing her have to go through so much after she's obviously already been through a lot.

That's what I was thinking as well. Also, besides treatment cost, HW testing costs have dropped, too.

Sicne these are rescues and the costs of treating 11 pups with preventative can be insane have they talked to their vet about using Ivermectin as preventative for the pups? Thats what I use and a year+ supply for two dogs cost me about $14.

I swear by that stuff! I buy a tube of it that is supposed to be for a 1200 pound horse. The vet said to give my dogs a tenth of a CC for every 10 pounds.

We buy Revolution directly from a pharmaceutical company so we get a decent rate and it prevents fleas and some worms as well.

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I'm so glad to hear momma and pups are doing well. Thank you for saving them!

They are cuties!

adorable, precious baby pups http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/aww.gif

Who ever gets the PRIVILEGE of adopting Petunia is one lucky person! She is such an amazing dog!

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Petunia is BEAUTIFUL!!! Someone is going to be very lucky!

Thank you! She really is gorgeous! I can't wait to see how she blossoms once she puts some weight on and she is done with nursing and heartworm treatment.

As a former euthanasia tech at a county funded kill shelter, I completely understand why pregnant cats and dogs are euthanized first. Nothing is more gut wrenching than having to euthanize puppies or kittens. I usually won't pull pregnant animals, but after unintentionally meeting Petunia (I was helping a friend adopt a Boston Terrier the shelter notified me of), I completely understood why the employees couldn't bare to euthanize Petunia, she wouldn't stop licking me through her run. Her temperament is perfect. After she's done raising pups and heartworm treatment, we'll test her with other dogs. She is so loving and affectionate towards all the people that were working on getting her pulled. I'm already super strict about who we adopt out to, but I'm holding out until she gets the best of the best applications. She's been through hell and back: pregnant with 11 puppies while at least 15 lbs under weight, not her first litter at only about a year old, heartworm positive, animal control, and those are only the hardships we know of... Generally, it takes us 6 months or longer to find an approved adopter for pit bulls, but I'm always willing to wait even longer. It's time for her to get a break in life and I'm glad I get to be a part of that http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png