Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Goodness, poor chap. What an upset for you both. Hope the meds and Rescue Remedy do the trick and he picks up xxx
Snowie was attacked, but happily visited by HAT
- Thread starter M.F.
- Start date
- Location
- Essex, U.K.
Poor boy Snowie, it sounds like the pack ganged up on him and their owner was expecting you to say something.
Luckily your HAT was a help to you both, and I hope the vet does not find any more wounds.
Hope you both feel better today x
Luckily your HAT was a help to you both, and I hope the vet does not find any more wounds.
Hope you both feel better today x
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Hope Snowy is feeling better today, he does sound quite bruised and puncture wounds can be very painful. I hope the vet will be very helpful.
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Oh how horrible for both of you. I hope he has a promising appointment at the vet today. 
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
Poor lad, he was obviously attacked from behind and not fighting.
Thanks so much everyone for your kind responses.
At 2.45am I was woken by Snowie “fritzing”—the word we use when he wakes up and gives a body shake, and then I heard him padding up the stairs and jumping onto to the bed. As if nothing had happened! My husband and I were much relieved! This morning he woke up with the joys of life! Meanwhile I felt like my head had been weighed down by lead and throbbing with a headache, only a few hours sleep.
The vet shaved the wounds. Said puncture wounds must remain open to drain, must not stitch. She wanted to take Snowie to the surgery room to shave him, just with her assistant, said it’s easier without the owner present. Snowie refused. Sat down and dug his heels in. I said simply: He’s afraid, do it here in the consulting room, I want to be with him to comfort him. My husband told me later he was very impressed with my quiet determined comment. It’s so hard. I know I often cave into authority. But I’ve learned from this forum that we must be our dog’s advocate. I do understand the vet’s need to be efficient; she has a lot of dogs to see, a practice to run. Fortunately the shave was quick and Snowie was totally compliant with me there, tail wagging throughout (although that could also mean he’s not sure; I’m not convinced it always means happy in these circumstances). He also had the wounds irrigated with saline injections and wiped clean with hibiscrub. On antibiotics (vet said a must with a dog bite) and anti-inflammatories for two days. Pain meds if necessary.
She said he’ll be bruised and sore. But there’s no nerve damage to the spine; he’d be showing it by not being able to use his hind legs. That was a relief.
On our way out, we bumped into a guy and his dog who walk that path regularly. Funny, neither of us recognized each other at first in a different place! He is convinced the attacking dog is a dog called Rocky, a known offender. I know that dog and it’s possible it was him I saw from a distance. I’ll start my investigations... It also makes sense why Snowie went to them, cos he’s familiar with that dog. The dog apparently is friendly and then suddenly snaps.
Here are the two wounds on his back:
Thank you for that observation. I know my boy and I know he avoids confrontation.
At 2.45am I was woken by Snowie “fritzing”—the word we use when he wakes up and gives a body shake, and then I heard him padding up the stairs and jumping onto to the bed. As if nothing had happened! My husband and I were much relieved! This morning he woke up with the joys of life! Meanwhile I felt like my head had been weighed down by lead and throbbing with a headache, only a few hours sleep.
The vet shaved the wounds. Said puncture wounds must remain open to drain, must not stitch. She wanted to take Snowie to the surgery room to shave him, just with her assistant, said it’s easier without the owner present. Snowie refused. Sat down and dug his heels in. I said simply: He’s afraid, do it here in the consulting room, I want to be with him to comfort him. My husband told me later he was very impressed with my quiet determined comment. It’s so hard. I know I often cave into authority. But I’ve learned from this forum that we must be our dog’s advocate. I do understand the vet’s need to be efficient; she has a lot of dogs to see, a practice to run. Fortunately the shave was quick and Snowie was totally compliant with me there, tail wagging throughout (although that could also mean he’s not sure; I’m not convinced it always means happy in these circumstances). He also had the wounds irrigated with saline injections and wiped clean with hibiscrub. On antibiotics (vet said a must with a dog bite) and anti-inflammatories for two days. Pain meds if necessary.
She said he’ll be bruised and sore. But there’s no nerve damage to the spine; he’d be showing it by not being able to use his hind legs. That was a relief.
On our way out, we bumped into a guy and his dog who walk that path regularly. Funny, neither of us recognized each other at first in a different place! He is convinced the attacking dog is a dog called Rocky, a known offender. I know that dog and it’s possible it was him I saw from a distance. I’ll start my investigations... It also makes sense why Snowie went to them, cos he’s familiar with that dog. The dog apparently is friendly and then suddenly snaps.
Here are the two wounds on his back:
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
What a relief for you all, and well done for being assertive with doing what you knew to be right for dear Snowie. Now you have a plan, and here's hoping he heals free of complications.
I agree with @Jelinga, sounds very much as if he was attacked from behind.
- Location
- Essex, U.K.
Blimey, that must have been a strong bite, they look quite deep. Glad he's ok and well done at the vets, it is difficult to put your foot down sometimes as you would expect them to know best but it is not always the way.
I had a sudden urge to give Maisy a cuddle after seeing that photo.
I had a sudden urge to give Maisy a cuddle after seeing that photo.
At least Snowie hasn’t sustained any damage, apart from the puncture wounds - let’s hope they heal quickly and he hasn’t been upset by the incident.
If the dog’s a known offender, what a pity the owner didn’t take action at the time - and at the very least check up on Snowie. I hope you manage to do a bit of sleuthing and avoid any further confrontations!
If the dog’s a known offender, what a pity the owner didn’t take action at the time - and at the very least check up on Snowie. I hope you manage to do a bit of sleuthing and avoid any further confrontations!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry to hear (and see) this. That's just awful! I'm glad Snowie appears to be feeling a bit better now. That dog obviously meant business to make that much damage. Poor boy 
- Location
- Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
I had to flush Finn’s wounds that looked very similar! He also was on antibiotics. It healed very slow. It was common according to our vet
Candy
Biscuit Tin Guardian
- Location
- West Yorkshire, UK
Oooch! Those bites look deep and painful. Poor Snowie. I do hope he makes a speedy recovery.
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
Ouch!! Hope your boy has no lasting effects after the physical wounds heal.
- Location
- Buckinghamshire UK
That's terrible! Why didn't the man call out to you??? Give Snowie a gentle hug from me please.
- Location
- East Sussex
That bite looks really nasty. You must be very relieved that there is no nerve damage. Hope you all get a good night's sleep tonight.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Oh Snowie, you poor love , that must have hurt a lot xx
So relieved to hear his back is ok and he was feeling happier today. Must have been quite the shock for him
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
Well done for advocating on behalf of Snowie. I used to go with what the vets suggested, but learned that their way wasn’t always the best way with Harley. We are the ones who know our dogs the best.
those bites do look deep. Have you called the dog warden? I would be reporting an attack of that severity, especially if it’s not the first time!
I hope the wounds heal quickly x
those bites do look deep. Have you called the dog warden? I would be reporting an attack of that severity, especially if it’s not the first time!
I hope the wounds heal quickly x
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Poor Snowie, those wounds look nasty. What kind of a dog owner doesn't go to see if the other dog has been injured by his dog? I am baffled, truly baffled. I hope you are OK after such a shock and wishing lovely Snowie a very quick recovery. xxx
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Ouchy ouch ouch! Poor boy