Puncture wound advice

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Our Buddy was attacked by a dog last Thursday (July 17) while we out on our normal morning walk. The attacker made a good size puncture wound on his left hip that has internal pockets/lacerations and the vet said she could see the muscle. He's on an antibiotic, a pain pill, and anti-inflammatory meds. Everything seems to be working well since we traded up on the antibiotics that we're upsetting Buddy's appetite. Waiting on the results of the internal swab for evidence of infection.

Today I noticed that a second hole has appeared and the vet we saw this afternoon (not our normal one) said that some of the tissue has most likely died. Wondering if anyone sadly has any experience with puncture wounds and their healing process?

I'm attaching a few pictures of the wound - the one with all the bruising and the actual outline of a fang is a day after the attack happened. The internal pockets pretty much extend the outline of the hairline.... The other wound picture is from this afternoon when the second hole appeared. The second hole is actually inside the "fang" bruise, just taken from a different angle after some healing.

Please excuse me for the iPhone photos. :-)

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Good to know, Leslie! We were worried about mobility issues when it first happened bc it's on his hip, plus he's nine so he is slowing down a bit. But Buddy is motoring just fine now that it's been almost a week - especially when he wants to get away from us bc he's not a fan of the warm compress or the medicine. Haha, it is good to see though.

[Diane Horner]

I am so sorry to hear about Buddy.  Owen and I send lots of Doodlekisses.  Just wanted to mention that my Owen was attacked in January 2014 at a dog park that we frequented.  Since then he started showing signs of aggression towards strange dogs.  He is now enrolled in private training to help him get over the fear of strange dogs.  Owen is a love bug and used to love all dogs but now he attacks them to let them know he is no pushover.  We hope he will be resocialized in the next 4 to 6 weeks.  We miss taking him to the beach and out to lunch/dinner with us. Just wanted to mention this, in case you see a change in his behavior.

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Poor Owen, but good for you to get him in class to help him get over it. I honestly don't know if Buddy even knows a dog attacked him since it came from behind. The guy walked past us, somehow dropped the leash, and his dog doubled back to Buddy's back end. Sending you good thoughts for getting Owen re socialized!

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

sorry for the graphic images,, but this is Midas at 4 months when our neighbors pitbull came running off their lawn, off leash and attacked Midas,  I wasn't with him but my husband was and my husband quickly picked midas up, but the dog got his hind anyways, there is 2 punctures and a tear, thank god my husband was there, he is 6'1 so was able to hold midas high and safe him from further attack, if it were me im 5'1 I could never have held midas high enough to protect him or myself.. they ended up doing stitches on the tear (they wanted to so staples but he had eaten lunch so they couldn't put him under) they left the puncture wounds  and I had to clean them with a wash I believe on a cotton ball...I kept it very clean cleaning it after he came in from outside every time. I also had him wear a cone..  he healed perfect.. he is now 2 1/2he got a hair cut last weekend and I noticed he does have a scar from where the tear was but don't see anything from the punctures.. needless to say he is fine now but it def was scary... the owners of the pit did pay the vet bills, but he got out a second time while my sister was brining her dogs over (toy poodle, Lhasa apso and standard poodle) as they were getting out of the car to come into my house the pit came running over again.. this time my husband was ready and he actually kicked the dog,and he ran back home,  if he had gotten a hold of my moms toy poodle he would have been history..cant take stupid people!!!! anyways hope this puts ur mind at ease that he healed well... if u have any more questions u can message me.. good luck and feel better to ur baby! 

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Oh Chels, that had to be awful. I'm glad that Midas healed beautifully.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

No advice here but I'm so, so sorry that this happened to Buddy.  Wishing him a speedy recovery!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Iam so sorry this happened to you and Buddy.  I don't have any experience to help you with, but wanted to send pawsitive thoughts for a complete recovery.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I'm so sorry Buddy was injured but I just wanted to add my two cents on the drain issue. That does look nasty but an open wound doesn't need a drain as the drain or wick is only really used to keep a wound open so that it can drain.  I hope Buddy's wound heal quickly. 

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Jen, I'm so sorry this happened to Buddy and he looks so sad laying on the couch.  The whole event must have scared you and Buddy so much!  I can't even imagine.  When I walk Libby alone that is always a fear of mine!  Prayers, love and fast healing to Buddy!   

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I'm so sorry to hear about Buddy, sending thoughts for speedy recovery.

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes! It means so much to us! Got a little update to share: Buddy had a follow up/cleaning appt this afternoon and Dr decided he'll be going in for surgery tomorrow morning. There was a new hole that appeared Tuesday and it's been growing since then. So, the necrotic tissue will have to be removed and hopefully then we'll be on the road to recovery.

Good news is that the swabs came back with only one bacteria that was expected bc it's a bite wound and Buddy is already on the "right" antibiotics.

The strangest development has been with the owner of the dog that attacked Buddy. He sent emails last Friday saying he wound pay and then when the vet hospital sent him the first three bills he responded on Tuesday by saying, "my offer to pay has been rejected and therefore rescinded." Huh? So, we're all trying to figure out who refused his money. And then a check equaling the total for first visit showed up in my mailbox today and the postmark on it was yesterday (Wednesday)!!!.... So far that amount only adds to 20% of what we've paid and that's not including the surgery tomorrow and 2-3 more weeks of Clavamox.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good luck with the surgery, I hope Buddy does well. 

You have legal recourse with the owner of the other dog, and I hope you pursue this. I also hope you reported the attack. 

Hugs to you & to Buddy.