Huge Bruise Or Huge Rash?

[princetonbaby]

Hi all,

Earlier today I was giving Princeton some belly rubs, I just picked him up yesterday evening from my brothers house as I had been out of town. When we came home yesterday, I took him out and then he curled up in his crate for a really long sleep. Which is normal for him, but also my brother has a 10,5,3, and almost 1 year old so I assumed he didn't get much napping done the 2.5 days he was there.

After he napped, we went out and then it was time for me to go to bed, so I did and he hopped in with me. His harness was on this whole time and I didn't notice this but,

Today when I was rubbing his belly, I noticed what looked to me like a little redness or something in his armpit area where the harness goes. I removed the harness and the whole right side of his chest, up to his shoulder and neck was an angry red color. I panicked. I thought it was a bruise then I thought it was a rash and I honestly don't know which.

I combed his fur and noticed a small area of what looked to be like some flea dirt near the redness. But I looked him over thoroughly and see no other evidence of fleas. He hasn't been biting or scratching the area at all.

He seems normal to me behavior wise and energy wise. Eating, drinking, peeing and pooping normally.

I gave him another bath (he'd had one prior to going to my brothers house) and got a better look at the are while he was wet, It's really large.

He isn't bothered by me touching it or rubbing it. I called the vet ER and they said if it doesn't seem to be spreading I can probably wait to take him to his normal vet in the morning. Naturally I can't relax, even though he is sleeping by me right now just fine.

After a few hours since his bath, I looked over it again, and I can't tell for certain but I think it might be darkening up and maybe purpling up a bit like its a brusie and not a rash.

I asked my sister in law if she noticed him biting or scratching the area or if anythign happened that I should know about. Since the redness/bruise/rash is under where his harness usually sits I wondered if one of the kids maybe yanked him too hard while playing with him? But would it be like that?

I will post some pictures later. I've been looking the web over for pics of rashes and bruising. It looks more like bruising to me now but it could be a reaction to a bug bite. He seems fine but I was going to give him benadryl until I decided to wait to determine if its a rash or a bruise because I really can't tell.

It's nearly 3am and I'm keeping an eye on him and will be calling our vet in the morning. Anyone have experience with reaction rashes (there is no bumps, wounds, cuts, puss or oozing) or bruising on their little guy (and what it looks like exactly?)

I dont have any clippers to get the hair away from the areas so I will wait for the vet to trim if necessary.

[princetonbaby]

Originally Posted by princetonbaby

Hi all,

Earlier today I was giving Princeton some belly rubs, I just picked him up yesterday evening from my brothers house as I had been out of town. When we came home yesterday, I took him out and then he curled up in his crate for a really long sleep. Which is normal for him, but also my brother has a 10,5,3, and almost 1 year old so I assumed he didn't get much napping done the 2.5 days he was there.

After he napped, we went out and then it was time for me to go to bed, so I did and he hopped in with me. His harness was on this whole time and I didn't notice this but,

Today when I was rubbing his belly, I noticed what looked to me like a little redness or something in his armpit area where the harness goes. I removed the harness and the whole right side of his chest, up to his shoulder and neck was an angry red color. I panicked. I thought it was a bruise then I thought it was a rash and I honestly don't know which.

I combed his fur and noticed a small area of what looked to be like some flea dirt near the redness. But I looked him over thoroughly and see no other evidence of fleas. He hasn't been biting or scratching the area at all.

He seems normal to me behavior wise and energy wise. Eating, drinking, peeing and pooping normally.

I gave him another bath (he'd had one prior to going to my brothers house) and got a better look at the are while he was wet, It's really large.

He isn't bothered by me touching it or rubbing it. I called the vet ER and they said if it doesn't seem to be spreading I can probably wait to take him to his normal vet in the morning. Naturally I can't relax, even though he is sleeping by me right now just fine.

After a few hours since his bath, I looked over it again, and I can't tell for certain but I think it might be darkening up and maybe purpling up a bit like its a brusie and not a rash.

I asked my sister in law if she noticed him biting or scratching the area or if anythign happened that I should know about. Since the redness/bruise/rash is under where his harness usually sits I wondered if one of the kids maybe yanked him too hard while playing with him? But would it be like that?

I will post some pictures later. I've been looking the web over for pics of rashes and bruising. It looks more like bruising to me now but it could be a reaction to a bug bite. He seems fine but I was going to give him benadryl until I decided to wait to determine if its a rash or a bruise because I really can't tell.

It's nearly 3am and I'm keeping an eye on him and will be calling our vet in the morning. Anyone have experience with reaction rashes (there is no bumps, wounds, cuts, puss or oozing) or bruising on their little guy (and what it looks like exactly?)

I dont have any clippers to get the hair away from the areas so I will wait for the vet to trim if necessary.

Pictures
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/pic...ctureid=139736

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/pic...ctureid=139738

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/pic...ctureid=139737

[Lovetodream88]

It does kinda look like it could be a bruise. I think I would definitely have the vet check it out.

[Wylie's Mom]

I would have it looked at, for sure. If a bruise, I sure would want to know how a bruise of THAT size got there, my gosh .

[matese]

I have to agree, that looks like a bruise, I would most definitely have your vet take a look at it. I would also like to know how my baby got that bruise is that is what it is.

[chattiesmom]

It looks like a bruise to me as well. In the third pic there is a mark that looks like a nick in the skin.

[ladyjane]

Something happened to him. What did the vet say?

[Lovetodream88]

any update?

[Shicks]

Not good. Something diffentley happened to him. Have him checked

[princetonbaby]

hi all!

We went to the vet the day after posting, and the vet agrees that it is a bruise. I was pretty upset, I don't like even thinking about him being hurt.

Everything else on him looked great and he wasn't and still isn't showing any signs of being in any pain or any type of behavior change, including being timid or sleeping away from me (when he was a year old we boarded him for a week at a terrible place, and when he came home he was a different dog for a few days including sleeping in strange spots in the house and being scared when the door at the vet shut when I took him right in after picking him up from that wretched place - thats another terrible hard to think about story for another time) thankfully he's acting just like himself and following me around room to room and curling up right on me or next to me as usual.

Anyway, I really do want to know what happened. He doesn't mind it being touched or even pushed on, so I don't think it was an impact bruise, like something hitting him hard. I do have a hypothesis...

(Note: I trust my brother and his wife with him, and he's spent time there before several times while I've had to travel and has always been fine. He isn't afraid of them or show any signs of fear or timidness etc)

This is what I think *might* be what happened and I've asked my sister in law to talk to the kids. My dog is very active, and he's not the best boy on a leash. Seeing as how the bruise is under and sort of in the shape of the chest patch of the harness he had on, I think it may have been one of two things:
Either he was yanked hard by the kids while he was leashed or he was yanking himself very hard (which is something he does, but that I immediately correct/stop moving) He gets tunnel vision when he is outside and his one goal is to PEE ON ALL THE THINGS. So he tends to yank and pull very hard. Walks are workouts for me between keeping him focused on walking and not stopping at every tree or structure we pass and allowing him time to pee on things as a reward for walking how he is supposed to.

I can imagine that the 10 year old while taking him out to walk/pee doesn't know that his very hard and constant forceful pulling could be bad for him and I didn't think to teach him how to correct this (nor mentioned it to my brother/SIL)

This is what I *hope* is the cause, because thinking it was done intentionally or recklessly really makes my heart hurt. But because he isn't sore or acting any differently than he normally does, I really think it may have been this.

I can't image my tiny little 5 year old nephew or 3 year old niece yanking him hard enough to make that happen. I can't imagine the 10 year old hurting him on purpose.

I was pretty upset about it, just because its so jarring and the thought of being hurt makes me sick. But I'm going to pop in and chat with the kids tomorrow after school to see if they can tell me anything (without leading them) about his weekend.

The bruise looks a bit better already. It's not as red, and has darkened up in some spots to look more like a bruise. It still doesnt seem to be tender or to be affecting him in any way, which I am relieved about.

He's been getting EXTRA lap time though as I want him right by me every second right now out of worry, although he is fine! lol.

Thanks for the responses and concern. I'll update again as things clear up or if there's any changes or new info about how this even happened.

[princetonbaby]

*Went to the vet later the same day of posting, rather

[chattiesmom]

Thank you for the update. I think you have a very good plan of action. The best way to get the kids to talk is if they don't feel threatened. You can deck them after they spill the beans . I realize that there isn't anything funny about the situation - just trying to give you a smile.

So glad to hear that the bruising is going away and that Princeton doesn't have any personality changes. Your theory(s) sounds logical - either one. I don't want to offend - but you might consider helping Princeton learn some patience on his walks to avoid future injuries.

[buddybear]

THANKS FOR UPDATING!!!!!!!!!!
More than likely it was the 10 year old. He/She needs to SEE the pictures you took, and train them and your sweet baby how to walk on the leash.

I'm looking forward to finding out the truth about how it happened.

[princetonbaby]

Originally Posted by chattiesmom

Thank you for the update. I think you have a very good plan of action. The best way to get the kids to talk is if they don't feel threatened. You can deck them after they spill the beans . I realize that there isn't anything funny about the situation - just trying to give you a smile.

So glad to hear that the bruising is going away and that Princeton doesn't have any personality changes. Your theory(s) sounds logical - either one. I don't want to offend - but you might consider helping Princeton learn some patience on his walks to avoid future injuries.

lol I did laugh... haha.

No offense taken at all! He needs to learn patience. Especially if that's what caused this!!

I am really trying to help him learn patience on walks, he is kind of high anxiety and gets laser focused on what HE wants and he is in tact, so marking ALL THE THINGS is his huge motivator in life. He's great with commands in the house, but outside its pretty hard with him - and hes 5 now so it gets even harder because he's so set in PEE mode. lol. But I try. Most of the typical "change direction" when they pull methods don't quite work for him. I do a lot of stopping, especially when we walk in certain areas. I've found some locations that work better for him. Rewarding him outside with treats doesn't work too well at this point, because all he really cares about is peeing.

I am considering neutering him more seriously now, although I don't think that will really curb a well-set behavior pattern with him at this point. I don't know.

He's very strong for 9lbs and I definitely need to teach the younger kids how to walk with him (I have 10 nieces and nephews, my sisters older girls do fine with him outside but I can imagine the my brothers 10 year old doesn't really know and it's my fault for not going over that with him in detail)

[princetonbaby]

Originally Posted by buddybear

THANKS FOR UPDATING!!!!!!!!!!
More than likely it was the 10 year old. He/She needs to SEE the pictures you took, and train them and your sweet baby how to walk on the leash.

I'm looking forward to finding out the truth about how it happened.

I agree I will be talking to them tomorrow, and we will go for a walk too.

Also, going forward the rules are his harness/vest is to come off immediately upon coming back in to the house. We tend to keep it on during the day because he goes out so often, but I don't want him harnessed anymore unless he is out for a walk or to relieve himself.