my baby was bitten by another pup!

[oakleysmama]

My little Oakley was bitten by another dog yesterday The other pup was a husky/rottweiler mix who is just 3 months old - so he was about twice his size! He just would not let go of Oakley and I heard Oakley crying and crying! The thing is, the pup is the pet of a family friend. Oakley stays there during the day while my bf and I are at work and school. I've seen them wrestle before but never to the point where we could not stop them and pull them apart when necessary! But for sure, I am never bringing Oakley there again unless that dog is not around! (I could not sleep last nite - I just had the image of the other pup grabbing on to Oakley and shaking him!!)

I immediately brought him to the closest vet since his regular vet is closed on Sundays. The bite did not look too bad at first (the vet described the bite as "his shirt got ripped" and that were lucky it wasn't worse), but when they told me I had to leave him there so they could put stitches on him, I was sooo worried. He was there for about 4 hours and when they discharged him, he was sooo happy to see me and I was soo happy to see him too. But the bite looks so much worse than I thought all stitched up! He came out with the stitches, shaved hair around the wound and with an e-collar. He has 8 stitches on his left side right near his shoulder probably an inch long- poor baby! I had to hand-feed him last nite and we had a hard time sleeping. I was crying while laying in bed with him cuz he just looked weak and hurt - my bf was just telling me that it wasn't my fault and try not to cry so Oakley wouldn't sense my sadness. He just could not get comfy and seemed to cry every time he had to adjust his position.

I know I shouldn't have done it, but i removed his e-collar this morning! Poor little guy was just soo uncomfortable! I put a t-shirt on him and I'm watching him very closely so that he doesn't scratch himself - I've been scratching him everytime he seems to get an itch! I wish he could tell me if I'm getting his itchy spot. He's eating well and seems to be acting as normal, walking and playing w/ his chew toys. I'm just not playing fetch w/ him so that he doesn't run around.

The vet gave me 2 meds: amoxycillin liquid (he was soo cute - it must taste good cuz he was drinking it from the syringe!) and carprofen (i think this is the one for pain). I had no problems giving him his 1st dose this morning. phew! I'm supposed to give him a dose of each in the morning and at nite. In 2 weeks, I'll be bringing him back for a re-check and to get his stitches removed.

Sorry this is such a long post but I had to share. It's a holiday for me today so I'm glad I can stay with him all day, but now I gotta figure out what to do for the next 3 days - I may have to miss school unless I find someone I trust to watch him during the times that my bf and I cannot watch him.

If any of you out there have any experience with dog bites, stitches, meds, ways to make sure he's comfy, etc...I'd appreciate any tips. I just want my little baby to heal quickly and well and hopefully won't have such a bad scar as a reminder of this accident. Thanks for listening...

[teri88]

I am so sorry! 8 stitches is a pretty large cut. My lab was bitten by a pit bull a few years ago, and it is so scary! I'm sure Oakley will recover from this faster than you will! The puppy probably didn't mean to hurt him, but you are smart not to bring him back there. that is going to be a big dog, and he may just not know his own stregnth. I don't really have any advice, it sounds like you are doing everything he needs to be comfortable. Give him lots of extra hugs and kisses.

[Muffie's Mom]

I'm sorry to hear about your baby getting bitten by the rottie pup. You must have been so scared. I would have been.

Try to not let your dog know you're scared or he'll be even more scared. If necessary, practice some deep breathing!

Good luck!

[oakleysmama]

I don't want to sound too concerned w/ price, but wondering what any of you have paid for a similar accident.

The vet charged me $604. I have insurance which I hope will cover most of the cost.

[doggieluver]

Im sorry that your baby got hurt but thankfully he's ok and did your friend offer to pay for some of the vet bill as it was there baby that hurt Oakley. Just curious if it was my dog that hurt someones I'd offer !!!!

[Latuya]

I am so sorry to hear this. Gus was attacked by a full grown German Shepherd last May. At first glance he look fine. He had slobber all over his back and I did not see any blood. But when checking him over he collapse and it looked like he could not breath. I went ballistic! My husban grabbed Gus and had him wrapped him in a blanket and just took off like a mad man. I could not hold it together and we both thought it would be best that I stood behind. I didn't want to feak Gus out more then he already was. Waiting for that first call was torture. And when it came it was not good news. His chest cavity was full of air, his lungs were collapsed, he had multible puncture wounds and was in shock. They told my husband that the odds were not good at all because of his size (under 2 bls) and the amount of injeries. But we made the call to try and save him. So the doctors worked their magic and without having to opperate and and after 4 days in the hospital, we have Gus here today with no side affects what so ever. He is happy and most improtantly healthy! Three of his wounds required stiches 11 total, and with the tubs that they had to put in him to get the air out and the to get fluid out they had to pretty much shave his beautiful long hair off from his neck down and also one of his front arms for the IV. The hair did grow back and there are no signs of any scars what so ever. They sent him home in a red stretchy body thingie. I will share the picture,,,,, It took time for his hair to grow but it did. We are still not were he was before the accident but we will very soon. You can not see or feel any scared unless you really lift his hair to find them.

How is he doing today? I hope he feel better very soon. Please give him hugs and kisses from both me and Gus. Tell him Gus said that he knows it sucks but not to worry he'll be up and running around and playing like normal in in no time. And from one mom to another,,,,, sending you a big hug! Don't worry, your baby will be just fine and this will all just be a bad memory.

[red98vett]

OMGosh I would have FREAKED OUT ! I'm so glad your puppy is ok and what a close call for him ! (and you too) These things can happen SO FAST but lucky you were right there to save him...I am so overprotective I never let my girls near any bigger dogs these days - it's just so easy for this kind of thing to happen and poor baby - what a hard thing to go thru !

[Jaspermom]

Both of you have had terrible scares! You both made my heart pound! I am so happy both of your pups are OK!!

I never let my pup near any larger dogs. I don't care if the owner says that it's fine, nothing will happen. No way am I going to let Wosie near any animal larger than herself.

Wosie recently had surgery to fix a broken leg, and she healed beautifully. Most of the stitches were internal and disolving, so we did not have to go back for removal.

Best of luck with your pup! When they are young, they heal pretty quickly.

[oakleysmama]

...Thanks for all your thoughts and well-wishes! He seems to be doing better today, he hasn't been crying or whining, and is eating well. And good news - we have a sitter to watch him while we can't be with him. Yay! She's a dog-lover/owner as well so I trust her with my little one. BUT I know I'll be constantly checking up on him in between classes.

I'll keep you all posted!

[Marie]

Oh my gosh, how scary. Im glad that he is better. I will have him in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

[ttreatsyorkies]

My girl was attacked by a neighbors dog. It took the vet 3 days to find the pucture holes. THe dog tore through the anal gland into her intestine, and skinned her back side. It was an internal skinning si we didn't know the extent of it until an air pocket formed. Needless to say it was a horrible experience, it cost $1200 to save her. I will never forget the fear and horror from the experience. She is better today, although she is fearful of other dogs.
I am glad your baby is doing well.

[orinskye]

Originally Posted by doggieluver

Im sorry that your baby got hurt but thankfully he's ok and did your friend offer to pay for some of the vet bill as it was there baby that hurt Oakley. Just curious if it was my dog that hurt someones I'd offer !!!!

yeah .......... what did this friend say????
Did the dog attack your yorkie while you were there? or did the friend call you? or did he just wait till you picked him up to tell you to take him to the vet (this last one seems a little far fetched, but hey, there are people like this)....
I should think that the friend would help pay the cost, as it was his dog that did the damage. Also another thing to be worried about is the incident itself. Are you going to report the dog to the animal control? the thing is: and i know you dont want to put yourself in a bad position with this friend, but the dog that did this was a PUPPY. If this dog is showing agressive behavior NOW, imagine what it will be like when this dog is full grown! It could happen to someone elses dog or it could be a child next

[cchu]

omg...I'm am so sorry for noth dogs. I can't imagine that happening. I hope your dogs have a speedy recovery. Yes, let us know if your friend is helping to pay some bills.

[oakleysmama]

Hi -

thanks again for all your concern.

As far as offering to pay, unfortunately, the friend is not in the position to help with the costs but was extremely apologetic and even went with me to the vet. plus, the family has been really helpful with my dogs in the past, taking care of them when I'm not able so the dogs wouldn't be alone in our house. There's also family involved, so don't really want to complicate it with money issues.

The vet already warned them about the instincts/temperament of pup breed when he had his initial exam and recommended a behaviorist. I even told her to tell her vet that he bit my dog next time he goes in for an appt!

We've told them how we feel about their pup and have given them the same warning about getting him under control cuz of the possibility of him biting people and other animals. But besides staying away from that dog, that's all we will do.

On a good note: Oakley had a great night's sleep, was really good about taking his meds last nite and this morning, and was a bundle of energy when I left him with our friend/sitter this morning. But he stayed at the gate watching me back up on the driveway and drive away...awwwwwww

Any ideas how to stop him from scratching the stitches?? I've been able to stop him and scratch the area around it for him, which requires watching him really closely. I feel like putting a bandage or gauze to cover it, but i know it needs to breathe in order to heal. Any ideas??

well, that's all for now, thanks again for all ur kind words...

[txshopper73]

Poor Oakley! I'm glad that he's doing better. What a scare that was!