Truffle Has Stitches After Off-Leash Dog Attacked Him - Question re: Medication

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Hi, dog lover friends.  We took Truffle on to a local reservation for a hike today (our first and now, last, time there) and encountered a couple with two huge dogs who were off-leash. Before we even realized what was happening, one of the dogs started to attack Truffle, who was on-leash. After what seemed like a terrifying eternity, but was probably less than a minute, the owners got their dog under control. We looked Truffle over and he seemed fine, and after I yelled at the owners for allowing their dogs off-leash in a park where it is against the law to allow dogs off-leash, we high-tailed it out of there back to our car. It was only then that I noticed that, despite his normal demeanor, he had, in fact, suffered two lacerations.

Fortunately, I was able to bring him to an animal hospital (our usual vet was closed for the weekend) nearby and the vet expediently stitched him up and prescribed 7-day courses of the following:

- Clavamox (250g) 2 pills/day; 

- Rimadyl (75g) 1 pill/day (split into halves to be taken twice per day).

I will complement the antibiotic with his proviable probiotic (and make sure to give the probiotic at least a couple of hours after the antibiotic) - but would someone chime in and let me know if one probiotic capsule per day is enough to counter the two clavamox pills per day, or do I need to give him two probiotic capsules per day?  

Thanks so much in advance!

- Jennifer

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am so sorry to hear about Truffle. I would give two probiotics, one capsule 2-3 hours after the antibiotic.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am so sorry to hear this. It happened to JD here in our neighborhood a few years ago, so i know how you feel. I hope Truffle heals quickly and doesn't suffer any lasting effects. 

Rimadyl can be very hard on the stomach, and that along with the Clavamox could cause some digestive upsets. It wouldn't hurt to double the Proviable. If he seems at all nauseated from the antibiotics, I'd also pick up some generic Pepcid and give that about 30 minutes beforehand.

I personally wouldn't give the Rimadyl unless you think he's in pain. He probably won't need it more than a day or two.  

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Thanks, Karen and F., for your quick responses.

I'll do as you both suggested and double the Proviable. And will monitor him over the weekend to gauge his pain - if he seems ok, I'll stop giving it to him. I don't want to give him meds he doesn't need.

It was particularly horrifying because my 9 yo and her best friend were with us when it happened and they were absolutely terrified by what they saw, if not downright traumatized. I'm thankful that Truffle's injuries weren't worse and that the dogs didn't turn on the girls. 

I'm still shaking just thinking about it - and infuriated, too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't blame you. 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Jennifer, I'm so sorry this happened to you. Ugh. I hope meds go smoothly and that Truffle recovers soon. (Hugs)

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Thanks, Cindy. He seems to be doing well this morning. Ate his breakfast, wagging his tail. I'm glad dogs have short memories - I, for one, can't get the horrific scene out of my mind. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm glad he seems better this morning.  I'm so sorry you all went through this.  I'd try to "create" some good dog experiences for him soon.  Incidents like this can sometimes cause future reactiveness.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Thanks, Jane. That's great advice.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Glad to hear he is eating and wagging :)
I totally know how you feel about the memory and it's completely understandable, but great to be encouraged by his resilience, too. We are not too far I think, and if you want a safe pup play date, feel free to pm me. Which park was this? We were at Hacklebarney yesterday and I was encouraged that while we were there, the few dogs we saw were all on regular leashes.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Thanks for the offer, Cindy. If not while he's recuperating, we should definitely try to get together this summer. We were at Mills Reservation - about 5 minutes from us. It's a popular spot for families and dogs, but needless to say, we will not be returning. We went to Hacklebarney with Truffle a few weeks ago and had a great time. We definitely plan to return.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

We also love to walk the paved loop (all dogs MUST be leashed, and there is usually someone posted/working to enforce) at the WO reservoir, near McLoone's boathouse. Might be a good option for you. Heal well, Truffle, and we hope to meet you soon!

[Jennifer & Truffle]

That sounds like a fun outing - I will keep that in mind!