OMG I am such a bad mom.. Ritz was attacked
 

I feel so bad and confused.
I live in Utah and there is a huge fire about 10 miles from my home. The winds shifted and we were being evacuated 1 by one. I wanted to get a jump on getting ready as they were only giving people minute to get out.
I took all of my dogs out so I didnt have to round them up in the house. ( my daighter has a dog, I have 3 yorkies and my son has a dog) I got their kennels ready and put them in a little holding type run near the door of my home and proceeded to get my 4 kids stuff together. I looked out ( these dogs are around each other constantly) and the shih tzu was barking alot. I noticed I couldnt see 3 lb ritz .I called to him and my female yorkie was barking at something behind the little doghouse that is in there, when I called ritz ran out as he did she grabbed him by the head ( she is around 7 lbs) and shoook him violently. I screamed at her and grabbed her by the scruff. ritz ran to me and was all wet from the ewater int here and covered in mud and shaking. I seperated her and the rest of the dog and looked at ritz more. He had cuts on his muzzle bruising around his ears cuts on his back end and could not walk . I thought he was paralyzed.. I had a hell of a time finding a vet as the whole area was being evacuated.finally got him there. They x-rayed and found he was really bruised up. Ritz did not walk until Sunday night and is still very sore.
I am sure Leah was just stressed due to the fire etc but why did she attack ritz. He is the most mellow one out there and they have never so much as even quarreled. Ritz has never been hurt at all aside from his brushings that he SWEARS he is dying from.( or so you would think due to his complaints) Now I am afraid to let leah around any of my other dogs again and have kept her seperated since being allowed back home SUn night.Ritz is walking and eating but cannot lif his leg to pee yet and takes teeny tiny little steps.
Bon

OH NO - PRAYING for your safety - those fires are soooooo scary -

I'd have to think she was freaking out over the fire - animals really sense these kinds of things and she must not have been herself to do that....IF she's never shown that kind of agression before I'd watch her very very closely but try to make them all feel safe and secure & maybe it will be a one time thing only ....That's a traumatic experience for all involved and I'm so sorry he was hurt so badly...poor baby :(

Sending get well wishes and I hope you'll be ok....did they get the fire under control ??

Oh no, I hope he isnt hurt permanately. I agree that she probably just freaked being caged and scared of the fire and just went beserk. I bet it was just a one time thing. I hope you are all safe now and Ritz gets better soon.

You are NOT a bad mom! It sounds like you did everything right. Please don't blame yourself, but I know how hard that can be. Hugs to all of you and hope things are calmer now.

I hope so. I would hate to think she is like this perm. I will never have rits around her again though. She was seriously trying to kill him. The way she grabbed him and shook was not a playing gesture. She meant to kill. I do know how they can kill rats though. SHe was very fast and he would have been dead had I not noticed it.
The fire is not contained and they are calling in the national guard now.The fire closest to us has been contained but it has now gone back up in the mountains. There have been 3 deaths ( farmers) as well as at least 5 homes burned. They say this could burn for months.
Here is a pic of him last night. He looks so sad. Poor baby...

:( :( :( :( he does look sad poor little guy....that really has to be so scary - between that happening and the fire you poor thing - how tragic lives are being lost....I said a prayer for you and your family - both fur and human and please stay safe ...and kisses to your little Ritz - did you ask the vet about giving him baby asprin to help the pain ??

I agree. Baby asprin does help the pain. My little boy got attacked by three LARGE poodles last summer when we were camping and that is what I gave him and he perked up a little. Be safe and keep us updated!

Oh, no, I didn't realize you were so close to that horrible fire! Poor Ritz and Leah, that has got to be extremely stressful:( Will say a prayer for all of you!

Well... I took ritz back in. He was shaking all over again and refused to walk.
Vet checked him over again and said his knee(stifle) on the rear was bruised. He has never beenhurt ever so this is a huge drain for him. My vet couldnt believe that with 4 kids he had never been dropped, stepped on etc.
He did prescribe some rimadyl so he is taking that now.
Poor baby.
Bon

Poor baby, I sure hope he's feeling better soon. I hope this was just because of the frenzy everyone was in during that panicked time of trying to evacuate. Get well Ritz, sweet boy.

Be proud of yourself. Your far from a bad mommy. You got things together
great under the stress you must have been under. I hope Ritz will be ok
in a couple of days. Hopefully he is just sore. Poor little fellow.
Your other must have been frightened and not knowing what to do took it
out on Ritz. Your right to keep them seperated for while keeping a watchfull
eye on both.
Those fires are devestating. Be safe.


Hugs to Ritz,

Does anyone know if rimadyl makes them sleepy?
He sure seems groggy since giving it....
Bon

Yes....rimadyl can make them sleepy. Also be careful to give it with food....even a little snack, but something.

So sorry to hear about the attack and please stay safe.

You sound like a perfect mom - for your kids and your fur kids! Keep safe and keep us posted. Hugs from Virginia.