Please help with this question about a pitbull mix!?

[samwisegamgeeR]

We have been dogsitting for about a week and a half now. She is very sweet. She never growls, the only time she does is when someone has a mask on. Tonight she was laying on the couch and breathing very hard it started getting heavier till she started panting. Her tongue was hanging out. She also growled at my mom and the owners say she hasn't growled at anyone other than for having a mask on for the 3 years that she had her. She also lived with another dog that she loved is it that she is just depressed or maybe stressed that they have been away for so long? She is about 4 years old.
she has been "fixed"

 

[Shazz]

Are both dogs de-sexed? Is her tummy and nipples swollen? If so, shes pregnant and probably in labour. Though I find it hard to believe that a dog can be pregnant and in labour without you noticing, but dogs will breathe and pant very heavily when they are in labour. She may growl, in protection of her pups (even thou theyre not born yet).

Ifthe other dog is male, and neither is de-sexed than you need to get them both de-sexed ASAP. If she IS pregnant, you need to wait after she has nursed her puppies before de-sexing the pups (they should leave their mum around 8-12 weeks of age)

Best of luck.

Edit -- Sorry I meant you need to wait till after she has nursed the puppies before de-sexing her** Dogs and cats should be de-sexed around 6months of age, to be safe on their body. Some breeders de-sex at 8-12 weeks before giving their pups to new owners, some pounds de-sex at 4months+. I believe this to be cruel as their sexual organs are not fully developed yet. At 6 months of age, they are, as they are ready to mate at 6 months of age.