New to YorkieTalk - Heartbroken

[pancakepat]

I whole heartly agree w/Misslissa...take pictures.
A neighbors dog had my 2 grandkids & myself trapped in a playhouse. Really, the dog stayed about 10-15 feet from the playhouse door just watching. It was some kind of rottweiler. Finally, I risked running to the house after telling g-kids to stay in playhouse. Got my camera & took lots of pictures. This dog would walk away then turn & look back, walk some more then look back. Errie.
Pictures were for future use if necessary.
So.......go ahead it's not evil. It's smart.

Hope this doesn't sound stupid as I know nothing of what I'm about to ask. First, glad you found a better vet. That's good. Now for the stupid part. Is it possible to pull the leg into place, put a cast or brace on it to give the muscles/ligaments time to heal?

[itsmeveve]

First of all forgive me for not understanding how to answer all the support I have gotten here. I truly do appreciate each and every post. I read them sometimes more than once.
I am very happy to say that since Cricket ran out of the canned dog food the vet had him on and he is back on his own food, that his stools are more solid now and much better to deal with. I think I will have no problem living with this! I had thought this was a permanent problem since he lost control over his bowel movements. I notice that he wines at the door and i let him out he stands like he wants to go but nothing happens. When he lays down in the house and it just happens to come out ( at very different times from when he wants out) He seems to know it happened right away and he gets as far away as he can from it. the sad part of this is he looks very much like he is in trouble, since we have been working on getting him to go outside. Where ever he goes I tell him good boy, but he looks as though he is in trouble. Wish i could let him know its ok, that the old way doesn't matter anymore. But I thought i would let you guys know we are taking baby steps ahead, and I think we are going to be OK.

Kibbles in my yard ..... Now I like that idea. I have never seen this dog out since the attack, haven't seen much of the people it lives with either. Before the attack I have seen the attack dog out without a leash, but only with the man that owns it, and maybe once or twice off the property. I had been at the vet with Crickett one day and the dog owner came and talked with my roommate. He had said that his daughter was NOT supposed to let the dog out of the house.

The vet we found is a surgeon, he gave us no hope of the leg being able to be put back, he feels it is nerve damage (or muscle or ligament) but he said the amount of time for nerve to regrow is very slow. The hospital that first had cricket said the nerve was cut.

In all of this we found that Cricket has a Luxating Patella, now we never noticed anything wrog with his back legs at all till this attack. The Vet said they rate them 1 to 4 with 4 being the worst. Cricket has a 4. This he is talking about maybe fixing in the future. But since this is common on Yorkies and something they are born with its not like its from this attack.
I am not sure how high kitchen counters are but Cricket has the right name for him because I keep treats on the kitchen counter and when im getting a treat he jumps so high I think he could jump right onto the kitchen counter. Now I would think that he wouldn't be able to do that if this Luxating Patella was bothering him before. Fixing this will have no help for his leg being out.
I am searching my photos and movies to see if i have proof that he had no leg problems before, but its so hard to get a photo or movie of cricket because he is always at my feet I did find a movie of him chasing a bunny rabbit, guess at that time the bunny was better than being at my feet. Cricket is fast! He has lived up to his name that's for sure!

[itsmeveve]

I forgot to mention that last Friday I took a copy of all of Crickett's bills and a small note asking for payment to be made before my credit card company adds interest and sent a copy to the girl that let the attack dog out of the house and the dog owner. I sent this by registered mail. I put the date my credit card payment is due and if I don't hear anything by then I will look into small claims to try and recoup from that.

[Pam Campbell]

Our Pomeranian was not on a leash in our yard and was attacked by the neighbors dog. They were responsible for the attack since their dog came on our property. They also had to put their dog to sleep due to the vicious attack.

[Rizzo's mom]

So sorry to hear of Cricketts issues that is tragic. Here is something you can try...you can to to Fundraising, Group Purchases ? Fundable and make a plea for a financial amount for donations for his vet care.
You can also go on the internet and find companies that will help you do a fundraiser to raise funds you might be surprized what you can come up with.
I do feel your neighbor has some responsibility even if is is 50% of the bills.
Rizzo's mom forever

[itsmeveve]

I just thought I would update on where Cricket is today. He has surprised the people at his Vets since he is doing very well. He still needs surgery on his leg but im told that its not time yet to think of that to still let him recover first from this trauma he has suffered.
He is walking around and playing and even a little jumping. he has trouble standing on his hind legs if he wants to put his front paws on your leg or anything else he wants to see.
Seems his bowel movement problem will not improve. Seems he only goes while he is sleeping, just have to watch where he sleeps and see if he leaves you any presents, its not so bad and it is something I can live with.
For the most part he is back to being Cricket again.
I gathered all his bills and sent them registered mail to the attack dog owner and one to the woman who let that dog out that day... not heard a word from them.
Trying to decide weather to leave it or take further actions.
I am still in debit to the tune of $1000.00, my sweet daughter loaned me the money to pay the credit card I used so interest isn't added to it, so I want to pay her back quickly.

[itsmeveve]

Originally Posted by pancakepat

Now for the stupid part. Is it possible to pull the leg into place, put a cast or brace on it to give the muscles/ligaments time to heal?

There are no stupid questions!
its nerve damage and I am told that nerves would take way to long to heal

[MaddieBoo]

Originally Posted by itsmeveve

I just thought I would update on where Cricket is today. He has surprised the people at his Vets since he is doing very well. He still needs surgery on his leg but im told that its not time yet to think of that to still let him recover first from this trauma he has suffered.
He is walking around and playing and even a little jumping. he has trouble standing on his hind legs if he wants to put his front paws on your leg or anything else he wants to see.
Seems his bowel movement problem will not improve. Seems he only goes while he is sleeping, just have to watch where he sleeps and see if he leaves you any presents, its not so bad and it is something I can live with.
For the most part he is back to being Cricket again.
I gathered all his bills and sent them registered mail to the attack dog owner and one to the woman who let that dog out that day... not heard a word from them.
Trying to decide weather to leave it or take further actions.
I am still in debit to the tune of $1000.00, my sweet daughter loaned me the money to pay the credit card I used so interest isn't added to it, so I want to pay her back quickly.

I am happy that Cricket is doing better and that you are both adjusting to this tough situation.

I would not let this go and would take further action. The owners of the dog that attacked Cricket are responsible and it should be their responsibility to pay for any and all bills resulting from the attack. You should not have to worry about paying for these huge bills when you are not responsible . This dog is probably a threat to other dogs as well and the owners need to be dealt with accordingly.

Good Luck and keep us updated

[4doggiemama]

Glad to hear that you are seeing improvement in Cricket even though the stool issue is still a problem. I can hear the commitment that you have towards Cricket in your words. There are many of us who have Yorkies with genetic diseases that cause us to make changes in our lives/routines. We do understand the love you have for your little Yorkie. I have one that requires close supervision and medical checkups. Blessings to you and Cricket. ~Joanne~

[kjc]

Maybe next step would be to get a lawyer to send the bills with a letter asking payment before taking further legal action that could possibly result in the confiscation and euthanasia of their dog?...

So glad Cricket is doing better....

[Fantastic49]

Originally Posted by 4doggiemama

You say that you are 'squeamish,' but, my dear, we are never given more than we can handle. Somewhere deep inside of you. you will find the strength to deal with your little furbaby's issues. Blessings. ~Joanne~

it will be an adjustment, but you will make it through. and you can always come to YT for encouragement and support!!

also, filing a claim in small claims court isn't expensive (usually under $100). even if they can't pay the judgment and don't have homeowner's insurance, you can still screw up their credit with a judgment. at the VERY least, they deserve that. but i think your first step should be to consult a lawyer to look into it for you.

good luck and please keep us posted. keeping you and your little one in my prayers.

[Fantastic49]

Originally Posted by misslissa

i can only hope that you will get the justice you deserve
by the way this is a little evil but it will help. buy some cheap kibble(it smells better) and leave a big pile of it in your yard and sit and watch when he lets his dog out and the dog comes in to your yard to eat the food take as many pics as you can from as many different angles and take these to court with you it may be a little dishounest but it will prove he lets his dog wander off leash

i don't think this is dishonest at all b/c the dog couldn't be there if it wasn't allowed to wander around off leash ... as long as she's not claiming the pics are from the day her baby was attacked, i think it's fine. it shows the dog is not being confined.