Watson's Ordeal

Watson's Mom said:
For those of you who have been through this- especially Trini and Teddy- did you notice anything negative about the pups psychologically?

I had someone yesterday tell me that there dog got bit on the snout once and "it drew a little blood." I kind of rolled my eyes a bit, I'll be honest (though- watson barely bled... weird). But what he followed up with made me wonder... he said "it changed him."

Now, my boy was play bowing at two Goldens and a bulldog less than an hour after the attack in the vet's office waiting room so I am hopeful. But I wonder if he's going to have any anxiety around dogs... He's always been so playful especially with other shelties, border collies, and papillions... they remind him of himself maybe?
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Darci, our little Teddy didn't have an visible bleeding...the puncture wounds were really deep but no blood on the surface.

Teddy was a rescue who came to us as a 100% emotionally shut down little dog...he would just lie and shake and didn't move from wherever he was placed for the first 6 months we had him. But he was always fine with other dogs who approached him (I suspect he had been a puppy mill "save" and was used to dogs) and amazingly the attack didn't leave him with fear of other dogs. Possibly that was due to the fact that Teddy was in shock and totally unresponsive by the time I was able to get the other dog off of him. I honestly didn't know if he would stop breathing on the way to the vet hospital. Our vet and 2 techs met us in the parking lot with hot blankets to wrap Teddy in and immediately started IV's and cleaning of the wounds...but it was over 3 hours in the hospital before Teddy regained consciousness and was aware of anything. So possibly Teddy didn't have any memory of the attack...I just don't know...but if Watson is already doing OK when he sees other dogs I suspect you won't be facing any long term psychological issues for him.

Each little dog responds differently to such a horrific situation and your Watson sounds like he is not going to let anything change his gusto for life. You go, Watson!!!

Sending hugs and healing thoughts...these unprovoked attacks are horrific...they are every loving dog owner's worst nightmare. You and I are lucky that at least our little dogs did live...if anything about these awful attacks can be termed "lucky".

Trini
 
Honey has been attacked by a large dog before, luckily I was right there and could scoop her up, and the other dog was on a retractable leash, so the owner had a little control. She was also bit on the nose by a friend that got annoyed with her running to close while she was chewing a bone.

It has not changed her. Not intrinsically. Yes she is now ready to get in a fight with her friend if the lab makes an aggressive movement towards her while she has food, but when there is no food the lab is completely laid back and they play like normal, roughhousing, chasing, no problems. Since being attacked by the strange dog she is a little wary of large black dogs she doesn't know, but she still wants to meet them.

I did make sure after the second attack to get here around her larger friends the same day, but I don't think it was needed. If your guy was trying to make friends immediately after the attack, I suspect he's doing to be just fine.
 
I am so sorry this happened to you. My puppy was also attacked a month ago by a pitbull (a friend's no less). He lost his eye, and he is only 4 months old. It's hard for us humans to get over it... but dogs are incredibly strong. Plus, I always tell myself everyday that at least he's still alive :)
 
We got some great news at the vet today! Watson is healing really, really well! She was able to squeeze a lot more "gunk" (how scientific of me- pus, blood and necrotic fat) out of some of the wounds. They then took him back and flushed everything out and she used hemostats to remove some chunks of "gunk." He did great!!

The spot I was worried about under the drain she agreed felt hard, but does not seem to think it is more infection. The spot on his shoulders I was concerned about is apparently just air that has gotten forced under the tissues since the scissor bite came together inside him. It's likely painful for him, but something it sounds like we have to just wait out. I was glad that it wasn't really a problem that he ate the end of the drain, and she removed the rest of it... he was gentle enough to chew off the end of it, but leave the stitch in.:gaah

He also got acupuncture today... "surround the dragon." The first needle in she said was in a spot that would relax him and might make him fall asleep. Indeed, within seconds of its insertion, he relaxed, put his head down and closed his eyes. The rest of the needles she used to surround the "dragon"-- the area of the wounds. I don't know if it's going to work, or if I'll be able to tell, but after the first one on his head made him sleepy when that's what she said it would do... I'm more than willing to give it a try.

We have some antiseptic fluid to rinse the wounds with and will continue with the same meds. Another visit scheduled for Tuesday to check on his progress, probably some more acupuncture and to decide on the meds- we will probably need to do a second round of the antibiotics, but play the painkiller by ear.

Thanks again for the encouraging words and thoughts that everyone has sent our way. It truly has made a difference in how I have been able to deal with the stress of all of this.:hugs

On to the court room tomorrow!
 
My goodness what an ordeal for Watson ! But glad to hear he is on the mend.

Regarding your question about how this will mentally effect him ...

I had 2 shelties when I lived in my condo. I had issues with a neighbor who would just open his door and let his chow mix roam free. I was not aware until later that this chow mix attacked several other dogs but no one was sure who the owner was. One morning I was out walking and this dog attacked my 2 shelties. Luckily they both ganged up on him and fought back - my one dog was not injured but the other was bitten in the face. He had to go on antibiotics but did not require any other treatment. It could have been so much worse than it was. I think the reason it wasn't was because my 2 fought back and chased this dog off. The chow took off running and disappeared. A few days later I saw the dog running loose again, but managed to drop a loop over his head and tied him to a lamp post. I called the police. They came out and as I was telling them what had happened the owner came looking for his dog. He was read the riot act and had to go to court. Luckily the dog was current on his rabies. He ended up getting rid of the dog.

So after this happened, my 2 boys got very dog aggressive, but it was because they were afraid of getting attacked again. They had not been overly friendly with strange dogs before this happened. They never really got over it. I tried working with a trainer, and while things did improve a bit I was never able to allow them to interact with other dogs. Both these boys have since passed on and I miss them dearly. But I would never take on a dog/fear aggressive dog again, it made living where I live very difficult.

Anyway - my boys were dog aggressive immediately after they were attacked. Since your boy was trying to make friends at the vets, he may not have issues with this in the future. You'll just have to let him tell you that.
 
Darci...that is a great update for your Watson...he sure is a trooper...as are his Mom and Dad too. I know you all still have a ways to go to get back to "normal", but each day should get better.

Trini
 
So glad to hear that things are going well for Watson. Good luck in court tomorrow, that's going to be difficult but you are doing something important and we're all here cheering for you & Watson.
 
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