Chewie got bit in the face

[Kimmy & Chewie]

Chewie got bit in the face by a labrador who was off-leash today :(

It happened at our weekly Obedience class. The labrador (name Tara) belonged to a former student of the class and the owner brings her here pretty regularly and she's always off-leash. I've seen both of them a few times before. Chewie even played with Tara 5 minutes before the incident.

5 minutes before class started, I decided to take Chewie for a "warm up". He was heeling nicely when we walked pass Tara (off-leash, owner no where in sight). Being the friendly dog that he is, Chewie took a few steps to greet Tara (tails wagging), but Tara reply with an attack. It happened so fast, there was a lot of noise...Tara's growling and Chewie's crying/yelping and backing away. Seconds later, Chewie was on his back and Tara was on top of him. Chewie doesn't bite back, only kicking all four paws trying to get out of the jam. I yelled and Tara finally back off.

I checked Chewie and found a big puncture under his eye :( I rushed him to the vet immediately.

Tara's owner found me as I was carrying Chewie onto the car. She's actually a really nice old lady and offered to pay the vet bills. I don't remember my response to her as my focus was on poor Chewie.

The first vet we saw cleaned the wound to assess the damage. She said the it require stitches as the bite is quite deep (2 cm). And because it's so close to his eye, he will need to be sedated under general aneasthetic as they cannot afford him to twitch at all while they stitch.

I felt terrible!! The 2 good things were 1) it missed his eye and 2) Chewie's still in good spirits (must be a doodle thing!)

He happily played fetch while we wait an hour for the operating room and for the surgoen to arrive.

I was told to come back in 3 hours (1 hour to under and 2 hours to wake up)....I was a nervous wreck!!

Here's what my poor Chewie looks like now :( Was quite shocked at how much hair they had to shave off.

He needs to be in the 'cone of shame' all the time and keeps bumping into things. Also need 4 different drugs to take for the pain, swelling and prevent infection.

The final bill was around US$400 and I yes, I do plan to get Tara's owner to pay for it!!

 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Thank goodness Chewie is ok. I am sorry this happened to the little guy and that he had to have anaesthesia to get the sutures. I do think they get a bit carried away with the shaving but it will grow back in no time. Hugs to you and Chewie.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Poor baby....thank goodness it missed his eye. I am glad he is okay. Sorry about the cone of shame Chewie but I am sure that's to keep you from trying to scratch.

Daisy was bitten in the face when she was 5 months old, at our trainers facility. It came out of no where. Didn't actually know she was bitten due to her fur and then all of a sudden blood started dropping on the floor. No stitches, just a clean up and antibiotics.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Poor Chewie! So scary for you too. Thank goodness he got care right away and it missed his eye! We keep encountering off leash dogs on our walks, thinking of you!

[Kimmy & Chewie]

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for your support for Chewie and me.
I will definitely keep you posted on the progress of his recovery.
Like many of you mentioned, I was also worried that Chewie will be emotionally scarred from the incident and become fearful of all big dogs. Fortunately, this is NOT the case.
While waiting at the vets office, showed interest in going to meet/greet a big Chow Chow as well as a Husky. Am now worried he's too friendly for his own good.

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Yikes! Poor boy (but look at that still happy face!) I would have been very freaked out, I'm sure.  I'm glad he is doing okay.  Has he been around other dogs again and does he seem fine?

[Dori & Rua]

So glad that it missed Chewie's eye.  That was nice that the owner offered to pay so you didn't have to approach her on it.  Rua sends licks!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Wow, what a scare. Hope it heals quickly!

[Hazel & Chester Wayte]

Oh My..how scarey. Hope Chewy and his mom are recouping ok...I would be a wreck.

[Carol and Banjo]

Poor Chewie...and poor you!   I hope the injury heals quickly and Chewie suffers no lasting affects from the attack.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What a horribly frightening experience for you and Chewie.  I would have been terrified.  Here's hoping that he's feeling better real soon.