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]

Thanks Karen! :-) We did report the attack, and an officer came to scene and took statements. The owner and his dog now have a record. Kind of surprised me he didn't have one already bc he described his dog as "kind of vicious". I'm guessing this has happened with his dog before, but just not reported. Even though the waiting was annoying bc I had an injured dog that I wanted to get to the vet ASAP, I'm glad I reported him bc the wound has ended up being much worse that we originally thought.

The owner has also most likely been told to never come back to The Reservoir, but I'm not sure of that at this point. When it first happened, I told him that I never wanted to see him or his dog on the trail ever again and that he was kicked out. Cause, you know, I have tons of authority at the park. ;-)

We have emails from him saying he'll pay, he told the officer he'd pay in his statement, and the check he sent is also proof that he knows he's responsible. I have a feeling he will be shocked by the total bc he probably doesn't understand how bad it actually is, even though I've communicated that to him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That all sounds right to me.

Now you can just focus on Buddy and deal with the owner later. :) 

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

I agree, he needs to be responsible for his dog's actions. 

Good luck to Buddy on his surgery. You'll be in our thoughts.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I hope the surgery goes well.

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Thanks F, he's a trooper!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Keeping good thoughts for your Buddy's surgery today. 

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Thank you everyone for sending all the positive energy our way - it worked! Buddy is home, he's happy, and we couldn't be happier! It was rough getting him out of the vets, into the car, and then into the house, but I think he just wanted to be comfy on the couch so he got through it. Poor guy was whimpering (which he never does, not a whiner at all) when we first picked him up and he had liquid coming out of his eyes. Is it possible that he was crying?

The Dr said the injuries were WAY worse than what she would've thought and ended up going deeper. She said when she would get to healthy tissue she'd find damage under it and it would "peel away like a sticker." So Buddy has a 12cm incision with a drain that should come out on Monday. And if all goes well, stitches come out in 10-14 days. His movement is great and he doesn't seem sore at all, he was actually trotting through the house this morning on his way outside. Pretty great for almost 9 years old! His birthday is tomorrow, so I guess pretty much 9 years old.

Here's the FrankenDoodle. Don't click if you're squeamish.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wow! Poor, poor Buddy. I sure hope he heals quickly and feels better soon. 

When I went to visit JD in the specialty vet clinic after his endoscopy, his eyes looked like he'd been crying. It was explained to me that dogs don't close their eyes when they're anesthetized, so for longer procedures, they put some kind of ointment in the eyes to keep them from drying out. Maybe that was done for Buddy, too.

I hope he has a happy birthday. Please give him a kiss for me. 

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Oh, I didn't know they don't close their eyes. He did have some goop that wasn't his normal eye booger consistency and also the liquid. While we won't be doing our normal birthday outing to the beach or for cheeseburgers (patty only for Buddy), we're feeling lucky that we all get to be together. And your bday kiss has been delivered. :-)

Why did JD have the endoscopy?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

He has Inflammatory Bowel Disease. (Similar to Crohn's Disease in humans)  Endoscopy is the only way to diagnose it. :( 

[Jen, Buddy, & Kevin]

Poor guy. :( life is certainly not fair. The biggest thing I've noticed is that when either of our boys need extra care bc they're hurt or sick, A LOT of extra love comes out of DH and I. And that's above and beyond what's already there. JD must be swimming in the love all day-all the time. :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, life is certainly not fair. JD is such a good sport about everything he has to deal with, of course it just makes me love him more. :)