Friday, August 27, 2010
We had been dog-sitting an acquaintance's dog since Sunday. For the most part, all 4 dogs got along but Rex and Bailey would growl and snarl at Gomez. Leo didn't mind playing but that game soon became Gomez being way to big and domineering so Leo would go under a table or chair for protection from the larger dog.
Gomez was said to be a lab, boxer mix but we see pit bull in him. He is just 9 months old and untrained. Still has his balls. I really wanted to bring him to the vet for neutering but instead he picked a fight with Bailey.
My husband had brought a bone of Gomez's into our back yard. Bailey, being his usual aggressive self toward a larger dog must have growled at him for the bone but this time Gomez wasn't playing, he thought he'd growl back man when he growled and bit and Bailey went down, he realized he could dominate him. We have not witnessed this behaviour until now. Gomez has appeared to be big and bullish but otherwise lovable as an animal.
This was all within the first 10 minutes of my morning. I heard some weird growling from inside and opened the door to see Gomez mauling Bailey. I yelled "HEY" instantly and Gomez stopped. He still straddled Bailey and just wagged his big tail. Bailey sheepishly got up and slouched away in the other direction behind a building. I didn't think it was Bailey. It didn't look like him but I didn't see where Bailey was. It was horrifying, I yelled, "Bailey, Bailey, Bailey..." and eventually he came around the side of the building toward me. Gomez lunged towards me as well. I kept calling for Bailey to come until he was inside and had to kick at Gomez to keep away. I then had to get Leo in who was confused at which command was meant for him. I eventually had them all separated from Gomez and that would be the end of that.
I was hysterical but managed to wash Bailey down in warm water. He was soaked from the dew on the grass as he was on his back being chewed to death! Blood poured from underneath his body and from his chest not to mention his head (ears and eyes). His eyes - I was so worried... there were bites on each one and as well as his ears. He escape with a bruised armpit but his neck took a bigger bruising and it was still bleeding when he was examined (hence the drain). I am so fortunate I stopped it in time to save his life.
My husband and I took Bailey to our veterinarian and he looked at his fairly quickly, giving him a shot for pain right away. He was left for the day in order to get fully examined. I picked him up at 4 p.m.
The run on the invoice:
* has multiple wounds on top of head and 2 on ventral neck - surgery required
* puncture wounds exposing muscle; ventral neck wounds are still bleeding
* placed penrose drain at ventral neck - please come back in 5 days for drain removal
* sutured 3 puncture wounds on top of his head...
* general anaesthetic induction
8.5 kg, Age: 9 Sex:M Br:Poodle
* drain placed at site
* 2 blocks of surgery time
* Elizabethan Collar must remain on at all times**
**A cone was not actually given but I think it is due to his injuries behind around his neck - and that would be uncomfortable or painful - however
Day 2 and Bailey is starting to appear like the stitches are itching and has started to scratch more.
He has to take 1 anti-flammatory pill and 1 pain pill twice daily. Bailey has not eaten much; only once each have I been able to disguise his pills in cheese, margarine, ice cream... but usually I have to get it to the back of his throat with my fingers. He seems to be able to sniff would the medication and won't eat it. But he hasn't been eating much otherwise either.
Day 3
I notice there is a soft 'ball' of liquid/blood on Bailey's neck near the drain. He was excreting fluid the first day but I haven't noticed much since. I'm not sure the drain is still reaching the blood and pus and infection. He's been scratching so maybe he moved something. I am considering calling in the morning to ask. I don't know if I can or should wait till Thursday when the DVM is scheduled to take it out.
