Heartbroken After Dog Bite
Submitted by Bluebird Gal on December 25, 2016 - 8:38pmNot the Christmas my husband and I had in mind .. and I will first say that the dog that bit Amelia belongs to very good friends of ours. We had no idea (since we did not own her) on our foray to our bosses cabin to celebrate Christmas day that Amelia and Elsa had "gotten into it" last year at Christmas time. But it was apparently nothing like this time -- it was all posturing then they played together the rest of the day with all the other dogs. We were in the mudroom, literally about to take off Amelia's harness and coat to settle in and visit with everyone when our friends arrived with their two pups, having hiked in. We let them both nose bump, when our friend suddenly said "they didn't like each other last year."
She had no sooner uttered those words before Elsa went for Amelia right in the face. Fortunately my husband had the wherewithall to scoop Amelia into his arms while my friend and I put a chokehold on her dog and got her outside. Unfortunately, not before the damage was done. Elsa laid her nose open, got a bite off on a cheek and later, when we got home, I noticed a small bite above and just behind one of her ears. Of the bites, only her nose bled. As we were in a very remote location, I packed her nose several times with snow to stop the bleeding. And we got our gear and headed on back to our vehicle to go home. The dog in question is current on all her shots, etc. so other than the total freak out of the occurence, I'm not worried about any of that.
Outside of understanding that my sweet baby girl is going to have a couple of sore spots tomorrow -- and before the vet opens to talk to -- is there anything I can do to make her feel better? Or should I just watch the nose wound for signs of any infection/puss? The bite has closed up on it's own and once we were home I did take a warm compress to her nose to remove a little dried blood and get a better look at the wound.
She has eaten her dinner, received a ton of loving and pampering and curled up to nap with us but I, as well as our friend, feel just sick to our stomach
that this happened. Amelia gets along great with all the other dogs that come there just not Elsa evidently. We, of course, won't ever again expose her to Elsa and will always ask if our friends intend to be anywhere we are taking her.
That's very sad for your girl...
She might have some fears about other dogs for a while having been attacked when she was just being friendly. Or she might just beover it, depends on her personality. Definitely have your vet check her out just to be safe. Hopefully the people with the "attack" dog will not put their dog in that situation anymore and leave him/her at home.
Totally agree ..
on the worry behind being jumped like that and any lasting memories. We do have a professional trainer, and AKC certified behaviorist here in our town that I intend to contact since he has highly friendly large dogs that Amelia might could play with to reassure her that there are friendly large dogs. And of course she's been playing very happily with the pit/lab mix our bosses own as well as the siberian husky one of their other kids own. The siberian owners just got a mini-doxie too that seems to adore Amelia. So at least there are 3 we come into contact with regularly that are her "friends"
Our friend (and bosses daughter) rarely ever brings their dogs to functions together anymore as Elsa was a rescue, and she has gone a few rounds with their first adopted female boxer-mix. They work with the same behaviorist/trainer here as well. Obviously not enough.
I'm really more angry at Amelia's former owners, who (before they broke up) spent last Christmas with our bosses & family up at their cabin with Amelia -- and neither ever thought to let us know they had already encountered an issue between the two. Grrrrr! But my hubby and I never really expected to see Elsa and Bella there either since they generally leave them at home.
I will certainly see what the vet has to say as well.
On another note - this sweet little soul, who generally snuggles into her beloved huge fleece blanket at the foot of our bed, grunted her way under the covers next to me & onto my pillow because I pretty much cried myself to sleep feeling so bad for her.
So sorry your girl bitten...
As well as you cleaned the wounds, there is still a very good possibility of infection. I strongly suggest you get your vet on the line and get some antibiotics going was soon as you can.
My rnach dog was just attacked yesterday by a stray dog. I am taking him in today for a good cleaning of the wounds nad for antibiotics. I can clean wounds, but this dog is a biter, so I have to have reinforcements to muzzle him and clean him up.
Amy and Sophia
Thankfully the wounds
are more superficial front teeth bites than punctures from the canines. And we will await antibiotics unless something changes.
Poor thing is just not really herself today. Hasn't picked up a toy, reacted pretty lack luster about going out to potty when it's generally a romp in the snow before doing any business. She will cuddle but I still feel sooooooo bad about all this. :(
Very sorry to hear
you were off to the vet for the same reason :( I hope everything is OK with your ranch pup.