Jackdoodle Was Attacked & Bitten by Another Dog This Morning

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am so shook up I can barely type. We were out on our a.m. walk when suddenly this dog got out of his yard and attacked JD. I had to drop his leash, he was trapped. JD put up a fight but he's handicapped by his ruptured disc, and he fell. The other dog was over him down on the ground, I was screaming and trying to kick the other dog, I don't even know exactly what happened, my brain just shut down and it's a blur, it all happened so fast, but the dog was off of him by the time the owners came out. I was mostly worried about JD's back and didn't even know he was bitten until we got home. He has a puncture wound with a tear under his eye (thank God he missed the eye itself) and a big scrape across the top of his head. We're just back from the ER. They cleaned it and gave me pain meds and antibiotics...just what he needs with his IBD. I may not give him the pain meds, but I have to give him the amoxicillin, which is certain to upset his stomach. And I have to apply warm compresses to the wound under his eye several times a day for a few days so it doesn't scab up too fast. I am so upset I'm shaking. That dog got out of that yard so fast and so easily, they may as well not even have had a fence. 

Going to pick up his amoxicillin now. Poor JD. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wow, maybe that's why the 75 mg I gave JD didn't seem to do anything. Next time I'll try 100. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Sounds like a good plan ;)

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Oh, and BTY, it's doing a great job at keeping him comfortable. No restless whining/whimpering and sleeping well through the night (not at all like after his neuter procedure when he was obviously experiencing discomfort).

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

That's, BTW, not BTY... Lol.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad his recovery is going well and he's not uncomfortable. :-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I gave Luca one after his tail surgery and it seemed to quiet him down and make him more comfortable. Rex the poodle became dependent on Tramadol when he had cancer. But in that case it was better than the pain. There can always be paradoxical reactions, like agitation, to this kind of medication but I would try it if Jack appears to be in pain.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Oh, I am so sorry to hear this.    I am glad that the owner stepped up and is doing the right thing - at least that is heartening in today's world of people not taking responsibility.  I hope the antibiotic is well tolerated and that Jack doesn't have any negative leftover reactions. I do think his long fur prevented worse damage.  I always think of Jack as being able to defend himself just because he is a big guy - which is just as untrue as assuming that Ned couldn't defend himself because he is small. We have been very lucky in our walks, but I am such a sissy, that being attacked by a loose dog is one of the fears I have had since childhood.  I truly am afraid of strange dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Nancy.

The sad part is that JD always could defend himself before the disc problem. He was always able to back the other dog down or off, but today he fell. Seeing him helpless was almost the worst part of it. 

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

I am so sorry to hear this Karen. I hope JD will be okay. I live in fear of my neighbors dog and we share one side of a fence. We have an understanding that if my boys are out their dog is not to be out. I have a recurrent nightmare about that fence breaking. Hugs to you both.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks, Ronna. Having this dog in the next yard would truly be a nightmare! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And by Jack going  down the other dog should have stopped his attack!  I hope the end result will be that that dog's owners see the need to train their dog.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I hope you're doing a little better now...I think you were still in shock when we talked.  This is such a horrible experience for both you and Jack.  I know it has always been a "worst nightmare" like it is for all of us.  Do you have places where you could drive to and give Jack a good walk without the risk of something like this happening again?  When Murph was having his issues we discovered quite a few places where it was unlikely to meet other dogs...and if we did there was plenty of room to maneuver away.  I only say this because I'm thinking you may be a bit "gun shy" for awhile.  Just a thought...hope you've had a glass (of three) of wine by now and are starting to feel a little better.  Hugs to you both!