Penny just got hurt, it looks awful!
 

Just a warning, this is a llittle graphic. A few hours ago I was working on my computer and I heard the most awful screams and yelps. It was Penny! Somehow the side of her body actually snagged on our dresser handle/knob and it ripped a chunk out of her. My husband had to actually free her skin from it. Once she was free she stopped yelping and acted fine but it was the most disgusting horible looking quarter size hole behind her shoulder on the side of her body. It wasnt bleeding but you could see her insides (tissue or muscle I guess, and that was a little bloody but its not runny like I thought it would be). Basically it looks like a big hole missing from my poor baby and it is really deep too I dont knwo how she wasnt showign any signs of pain. And of course we are having flash flooding outside and severe thunderstorms and the regular vets office was already closed since its after hours. So I called the emergency vet on call and described it to them and they just said to put liquid stitches on it. Apparently thats all they do. Well thank GOD my best friend and her husband were over here becasue they actually have had almost this same thing happen to thier boston terrier(she got caught on the carrier door and tore a gash in her back thigh) and they used liquid stitches and she did fine. BUt Penny's hole is so big, if she lays flat it opens really wide like at least the size of a quarter and it worrys me so bad. If she sits up it doesnt looks so bad as it pushes together, but still Im really afraid it will open up. I took a picture while my friend was cleaning the area (this picture is when Penny is sitting up so its doesnt look so bad). I was thinking if it doesnt heal properly maybe a picture would help to show the vet what it looked like initially.
I knwo that may sound silly but nothing like this has ever happened to us before and so I really dont know what to do and I want to make sure this thing heals and asap. Anyways I want to know if anyone has expereinced anythign like this?
Penny acts 100% fine, Im tryign to get her to just lay down but she wants to play and she is being all happy and hyper. Not only do we have the liquid stitches but we the butterfly type bandage on it to help keep it together but Im still so worried she will manage to get it off and it will open. So here is what I forgot to ask the vet: How long do I leave the bandage on? I knwo the liquid stitches stuff will stay on and eventually wear off (right?) BUt do I need to take the bandage off to let the area "breath" so it doesnt get infected? Im such a worry wort. My friend did a great job, penny acts fine but momma is still a mess! I totally freaked out and bawled my eyes out when I heard Penny yelp, it was the worst thing ever.
But anyways, how good are these liquid stitches? And does anyone have any advice for me? Im going to have penny sleep in my bed with me so I can keep an eye on her tongiht.

PLease pray for penny's gash to heal back up quickly and painlessly and I apologize for the long post and Im sorry if Im making a big deal about it, Im just really freaked out by it. I think it looked absolutely awful!

O MY GOSH!!!!!! You surely did the right thing... they say dogs heal so much faster than we do.... there is a neosporin type powder that you can get for them, but I think she will do fine... OUCH! That looks like it hurts!
It is funny how these things hurt us so much more than it hurts them... I am glad that your big baby girl is OK... NOW, MOMMY, BREATHE.....
Kisses to Penny!!!!
Donna

I agree!
I've had this happen to a few different dogs for a few different reasons.

Pull the two sides together slightly and put on the liquid bandage. You want to make sure to get it on her skin and fur surrounding the area and not the actual wound itself...as much as possible. Don't shave the area whatever you do. Having it will only aid in keeping the glue on proper. You may also want to put a shirt on her after it's dried just so she doesn't lick at it.


GOOD LUCK LITTLE GIRL!

ps, I wouldn't put a bandage on over the liquid stitches. The liquid stitches lets the wound still "breathe". You putting a bandage on it won't really do anything for it. If you've got a shirt to put on her, I'd do that instead, personally.

Oh no poor Penny!!!

I hope she heals quickly! I have no advice to give never having had to deal with anything like that before. I do understand your worry though and I would be freaked out big time if it were me!

Will keep Penny in our prayers that she may have a speedy recovery and she heals just fine with no infections or anything.

I don't have any advice either but prayers are being sent for both of you!

Oh Penny!! Poor baby. She'll be ok Shana. :hug: Try to keep her settled.

I swear I screamed and bawled hysterically just looking at it, I was freaking out! I cant really stand the sight of wounds and blood, etc, I have a weak stomach. Thank goodness for my friend being over here(she works with me). She is really good with medical stuff. I dont knwo what I would have done without her. My husband was no help as he was just as bad as me, he looked like he was about to faint when he looked at the gash

I was thinking of putting her sweatshirt on her so I guess I will try that and watch to see how it does. I dont think my friend got any the liquid stitches in the wound, at least I sure hope she didnt, I couldnt watch so I dont know. What happens if it did get in there? Will it cause an infection?

Ohh! Poor Penny. Do you have a collar to put on her so she will not lick at it?

NO I dont have one :( Im just going to have to watch her constantly for now

OMG!! I am so sorry SHana!! That must've been soooo scary!!

I am so glad that you were quick and knew what to do with a help of a friend. Much love to your family and Penny!!

Zoe and I hope for a speedy recovery!!

I dont beleive it will make it infected, I think it might just take a little longer to completely heal..... she will be fine... she'll just have a little "war wound" to show off.... HUGSSSS to Penny!

Poor Penny! What a terrible experience for all of you. Gracie and I hope Penny heals quickly!

Shana, I tried to pm you and my computer died. I am so very sorry that Penny got hurt. I know to you it looks really bad, but from what the pic shows, it looks like a nice clean cut.

The very best wound treatment we have found was one that was recommended by our horse vet - a product called Herbal Wound Spay - manufactured by a company called Laid in Montant. Their website is:
www.laidinmontana.com . On more than one occasion I have seen it heal horrid jagged wounds with little or no scarring.

Give Penny some extra lovin, and you, girl, need a hot bath and a glass of wine!

OH poor Penny!!! This has happen once before with my sister's boxer. She freaked out! Luckly my mom is a retired EMT and she cleaned the wound and put neosporen (sp?) on it and used a maxi pad believe or not has a bandage because it would not sick to the wound. It heal in a couple of days. I am sure Penny will be okay. I am sure after she was freed from the dresser she probably was thinking "Dang Mom, its just a scratch!". Rocky and I send her lots of hugs and kisses.

Prayers for Penney
 

No, at most it'll just burn her some. Most liquid bandages have some alchohol in it and that's why I said to be careful. The new tissue is sensitive no doubt and I just didn't want her to be any more uncomfortable than she had to be.

:thumbup:

She should be just fine! And don't try to remove the liquid bandage...it'll come off when it's ready.

Oh that does look terrible... I had a GR that had a really bad gash on the inside of his thigh. It was about the size of my hand and flaped open. Well As soon as I saw it I rushed him to the vet. My vet said it looked like it was a day or two old??? huh he was a inside dog (as are all of mine). I guess he took the pain well. Any way my vet saved the skin although the other vets didn't think it was possable. the though he needed skin grafs. I would take her in to make sure it is cleaned and there are no wood splinters in it. Good luck hun I hope she feels better soon.

Im so glad it looks like a clean cut, this is the first cut Ive seen up close so it just grosses me out. That picture is actually really decent since she was curled up when I took the picture. If she lays down like normal its a huge hole that is as wide as it is tall. Plus she actually stretched out her coat/skin trying to pull free, its like all loose and wrinkled. I just want to cry looking at her, I cant belive she isnt hurting right now. This is such a a crazy freak thing to happen. My poor baby. I gotta get off the computer and cuddle with her, she is sitting next to me with her head in my lap. SHe is such a sweetheart.

Do you think I can find that product at a local store?

Shana, I doubt seriously that you will find this Herbal Wound Spray locally. I will soak a couple of cotton balls in it and seal them up in a "seal a meal" bag and get them out in tomorrow's mail. If the wound is deep it will take several weeks to heal and you will want the wound to stay OPEN and heal from the inside out....

If you like the product, you can order some -- they are very good about getting things out in a hurry.

Oh Shana, Poor Penny, that looks so horrible. Sorry, that's not reassuring, but it sounds like you're on top of it. I'm relieved that Penny doens't seem to be in too much pain!! Please keep us updated okay. I'm wishin' her the best. Hang in there!!!

O my gosh:eek: I am so sorry this looks so painful. I'm glad Penny is doing ok i would just watch her for tonight and take her in tomorrow. Better to be safe. Take deep breaths and have a drink! It always seems we hurt more than they do sometimes but you are a great mommy and she will gets lots of great TLC please keep us updated on how she is ok.

POOR BABY ! WOW did she really tear it and I'm so sorry....hearing her scream and cry must have just freaked you out !!! I think that she'll be ok if you keep doing what you're doing....they heal pretty fast. I hope it doesn't scar that beautiful body of hers though....:( The upside is girl - it could have been her EYE and what a blessing it happened on her body....

Sending smoochies and get well wishes to Penny - she has the best mom and will be just fine !!

Oh por Penny. that is a big cut. Poor thing. I will keep her on my prayers. Please keep us posted.

Poor baby. Sounds like you have gotten a lot of good advice so I will pray for her recovery.

Shana, some Herbal Wound Spray is on it's way, let's hope the zip loc bags hold up :) Give Penny another hug :ghug:

Oh, the poor thing. It does look like a big wound. I don't have any advice to add to the wonderful help above, but we'll keep Penny in our prayers that she heals well and quickly and with little pain.

take care, hon.

Wow, I missed this yesterday. That's terrifying. Thank God you were home at the time! What a freak accident. I'm definitely going to look into getting some liquid stitches and a better doggie first aid kit.

I hope Penny -- and you guys -- are feeling better today.

Poor baby. Hope she heals fast. Dont' worry mamma you did well and you are allowed to be a worry wort. That is what makes you a good mamma.

Lex and Lulu send puppy hugs.

Poor Penny..good job you where there!!!!