Hi everyone... A little over a month ago I was working at my warehouse in an industrial park in a very rough part of town. As I was walking to my work truck I heard a faint yelp from the other side of the dark parking lot... I turned around and saw something small running towards me. Then in a flash there she was! She was scared, and obviously feeling very unloved and vulnerable... Understandably, she was also nervous about me approaching her because she didn't know me. I tried several times to catch her, but failed. I ended up leaving some food and water for her to have before jumping in the truck and starting my delivery route... The next day as I'm approaching my truck, who comes running out from underneath it? I couldn't believe it, but there she was again. It was an extremely HOT and HUMID night and she had to be tired from the heat I assumed. I had an idea that maybe my height was intimidating to her, so I decided to simply sit down on some stairs and allow her to come to me. She did, and I slowly was allowed to pet her head. She seemed extremely relieved to finally have someone love on her, and care about her. I grabbed her, called my wife, and she drove to my work to get her and bring her back home. It was the BEST decision I ever made... She is the biggest blessing, and absolute sweetest dog we've ever had! We did not know it, but she obviously was preggo at the time we rescued her. It wasn't until a couple weeks after that her nipple size bagan to increase, and she started to blow up like a balloon! She has now doubled in size, and seems so miserable carrying around so much extra weight! We have no clue who the daddy dog is, and are praying he wasn't a real big dog so her puppies will be small enough to pass without complications... I am blown away by how big she is getting, and to be honest it's kind of scaring me a bit! Is this normal? Judging from the pic I am presenting how many do you guys think she may have in her litter? We are doing all we can to give extra love & comfort to her in this very hard time...

Any suggestions or help will be MUCH appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UPDATE... Her breathing is fast and heavy right now... Like panting? It sounds like wheezing. Firtst time I've heard her like this - Hope she is ok!

Perhaps you should bring her to the vet so they can help determine how far along she is...they might want to do an X-ray to check how many pups she is carrying as well. I'm sorry I can't be of much help. From the looks, I'd say, 2 or 3. But I could be wrong. The vet is your best bet.

I would say 3 or 4 or more! her stomach has 'split' , this is what I call it when they are close. They are usually pretty round and even, but in the last days they have the 'split' in the middle in which you can see the milk bags. My vet will xray only in the last 5 days.
When they are close to delivery most dogs will not eat, and getting closer they pant a lot right before they start contracting and pushing.
good luck!
pam

Aw. Good luck. I hope all goes well. Well done to you for caring for her and taking her in.

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Congrats on the new addition to your family. I wish you luck on the pups. You will have your hands full very soon. I would run her by a vet for a quick check up and an xray asap just to make sure mom will be OK.

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Thanks Melissa!

If she doesn't have them tonight you need to take her to a vet first thing in the morning. Get an x-ray. Since you have no idea what breed of dog or how big the dog was that got her pregnant, there could be trouble. You need to see if they can even fit out...

Have you read up on whelping supplies and gotten together a minimum of what you need?

Welcome! I agree, I wouldn't just wait to see what happens. You don't know what she mated with. If he was larger, it can be dangerous.

Good luck and I hope you will keep us posted!

Congrats for this sweet girl and good luck for the birth. Hope all goes well. You should defo have a vet informed so you have help by your side when brith starts.

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