Not the best evening..

First topic message reminder :

Is about all I can say.....

Just taken Moo out for her usual tennis ball hunt. We get near the park and I see 7/8 kids (well 18/19) with a staff onlead. They shouted to put Moo on which I had already done and then proceeded to scream at me that the dog had already ripped another dogs face off today... and on and on, not what I expected to encounter we just diverted our route.

Moo was rather upset so we sat on the wall and I calmed her down, we carried on with our hunt. Unfortunately as we where leaving I was just about to put her back onlead and the same group of kids turned up, there dog was onlead but it all happened in a split second and it grabbed Moo by the face, I managed to grab there dog and put my hand in between the bite but I couldn't make it let go, quick thinking by them as there was a tap and they threw water over him, still didn't let go, I only had a fag which I pushed on the dogs nose and it let go.

Moo was squirting blood but the kids just rushed the dog off and apologized as they had forgotten to muzzle it.

Now Moo was off lead there's on, and I feel really really bad, she is pacing and has a cut on her cheek. One of the girls turned around and said she would do me in so to speak as I was crouched on the floor holding Moo, I pulled my phone out and said I would call the police and they all ran.

It has knocked my confidence and I am worried about Moo. Never been so worried in my life, I know she was off lead but she always is when up there. I feel I have let her down.

It reminded me of the scab I had on my arm when I burnt it and it got infected, I had to have it dressed every day and when it got weepy and infected the nurse yanked it off as that gave the fresh skin time to heal now the antibiotics kick in.

Now the scabs gone it does look more of a healthy wound Xx

yea it look fine but you have open the wound up again

tbh Steve, I think Janey did the right thing. As there was obviously infection under the wound, a scab would seal it in where it could fester. As it is now, the infected matter can escape and be cleaned up - as has been said, better out than in. The antibiotics will do the rest.

For a normal wound with no underlying infection then yes you're right, the scab will keep infection out until the healing is done and then the scab will drop off.

but every time you open it up there chance getting more infection in it

I had to open it the scab was just an infection and grim puss but now its cleared it is healing, its not bleeding and the swelling has gone down. I guess its just a matter of keeping it clean now Xx

she defo going have an nice scar there now

Yes there is a slight chance of a secondary infection getting into the opened wound, but Janey is cleaning it and the anti-biotics will mop up the infection that was already there from the initial bite.  Once the infected matter has all been released, the wound can be allowed to scab over and heal.  And it will, Janey!

Aww, I hope it doesn't scar too much but it certainly looked a lot less swollen this morning and very clean, just keeping up with salt water and I hope it heals quickly now.

Fingers crossed it doesn't scar janey, I'm sure now all the nasty stuff has been released moomin will start to heal

If the puss had stayed there, and the antibiotics didn't heal it (they don't always, first go) then it would have got worse. This way, as long as it's gently bathed to keep it clean, it'll heal nicely and the antibiotics will have a better chance of dealing with any secondary infections.

So glad to hear that Moo is improving, it does sound as if the worst is behind you and that your gentle salt-water bathing, the antibiotics and Mother Nature will complete the cure.

If a scar results from this bite (and of course we hope it won't) then it would happen anyway whatever you did, but will certainly be a lot less now that an abscess hasn't been allowed to grow and rupture through closed skin.

Get well soon Moo, and then you and Janey can forget the whole horrid episode  

The other side is splitting now and the scab is coming away.........4 puncture marks has turned out to be a lot more! Wish I had taken her to the vets sooner, didn't realise how bad it was

I'm sure she will heal up Janey. Sorry to hear though.   

The other side Janey? Do you mean on the other side of Moo's face?

No there where 4 punctures, only one bite, the pic is of the first 2 and now the other 2 look to be going the same way, its the 2 top teeth splitting with the 2 bottom teeth in 1 bite if that makes sense..... Xx

Ah OK. Well, so long as any pus under there has a free exit to escape and can be cleaned away by your good care with salt water, the antibiotics will take care of the infection, if there is any under there.

I'm sure she's on the mend!

for you and moo janey

Poor little Moo!

Can you get hold of any honey ointment? It's brilliant for helping good healthy skin to grow back. Worked wonders on the base of Dempsey's ear when he had that horrible hole in it!

Sending hugs and staffy kisses! Hope Moo's better soon xxx

She has unfortunately changed. Constant barking when she hears a noise outdoors and we had a pretty scary incident yesterday, its a long story but by the end I had to take her away as her behavior and barking scared them, there was a reason but its very long to explain and how do I explain it to the general public. Gutted....

Aww no janey

Yes proper gutted.

She'll recover, Janey. At the moment she's still a bit anxious, but she'll be her old self again soon! (((hugs)))

time is a healer janey, I'm sure moo will be back to her old self soon

I hope so Caryll & Hayley, it was a little scary to watch as she will suddenly go into full belt barking, I was so embarrassed I had to take her away. It was a situation that scared her and I know why, but its so sad to watch. My girly that is always great off lead, well I am now having to keep it on

You both have had a nasty thing happen to you, and it may take a little time for your nerves to settle (you and Moo). Plus Moo might not be feeling 100% fit in herself, what with being on anti-biotics and fighting infection.

short answer as to how to explain to the general public "She was recently attacked and injured, she's still recovering from her wounds and is still feeling frightened."

Meanwhile, keep as much as possible to your regular routine - going out with her when you normally do etc - routine is very comforting for dogs.

It WILL get better Janey - meanwhile we're here for you  

She was barking a a mother and child, whos other child had been playing with Moo. The mum playing with the other kid ran and pretended to throw the child in the river, the kid was squealing with laughter and you get the general impression....Moo went ballistic, thankfully I had the lead at that point but everyone was starring and the mum kinda rushed her kids off saying I owned an aggressive dog

I had to go as so many people where watching, and now she is barking full fledged at the window that I have to keep closed

Oh poor you for this to happen so soon after the "other thing". Sounds like Moo had a bit of a sensory overload what with the child squealing and her perception of a threatened "attack" on the child, happening so soon after the attack on Moo herself, which she hasn't forgotten yet (although she will, in time).

I'm guessing that everything was tickety-boo up till then, what with other child playing with Moo, until the mum decided it would be good fun to pretend to throw her other child into the river (which imho was a pretty stupid thing to do - I'll bet the child's screams weren't all laughter).

Poor Moo, poor you. Sounds like Moo's nerves are a bit unsettled at the moment - she is trying to make sense of this world which has gone a bit daft on her at the moment. tbh if I had some diazepam around the place, I'd give her 1mg tonight - tomorrow is another day and then I'd take her somewhere calm, no shrieking kids etc until her nerves are more settled and her recent experiences can recede into the distant past.

She's probably just a bit bervous as it only happened recently. try not to worry too much, give it time and she will be back to her usual friendly self. Give big hugs to both you and Moo

I hope so, its a little like owning a different dog atm, be it me nervous or her......

I'm sure it'll improve Janey, just give it some time and calm, pleasant and positive experiences to settle Moo back into her normal persona.

And I know it's easy to say and hard to put into practice, but don't forget that fear (your understandable fear) can run down the lead to your dog, or even distort your voice tone to your dog so it picks up on it.
It takes a hell of a lot of self-control to try to prevent this but if it can be achieved then the dog will equally pick up on your calmness and confidence and will react accordingly. (This sounds horribly patronising - sorry!)

It WILL get better ! Love ya and Moo      

I thought we where getting back out there but the injury is far worse than I expected, and the vet thought this also....if I hadn't pushed for the antibios he was happy to let me leave, I do not discredit the vet but am so glad I persuaded on giving meds.

Totally gutted, happened at the worse time and I just want to be there all the time

Big hugs
Things will get better, chin up love

I hope so, its very hard watching her behavior deteriorate Xx

I know you're feeling horrible right now, but all things will pass. Moo will recover from her injuries (and you can give yourself a pat on the back for insisting on anti-biotics), she WILL recover from her trauma given your calm reassurance - and so will you! you just both need just a little time and settling back into your old routines and happy times - it may take a few days, these things can't be forgotten overnight, but it WILL happen that you'll both be back to your normal, happy selves.
                 

I'm sorry to hear you both had such a terrible experience. Please, please, please don't beat yourself up. As horrible as they are sometimes these things happen. I mean none of us would expect something like that to happen.
I appreciate it's your place where the two of you go, but it's also about building your confidence up so whatever helps you to do that, i.e. changing your times slightly, going with a friend etc.
The other day I confronted a woman that hit Betsy with a metal chain when she "attacked" her dog (although there was no damage to her dog!) The argument got a bit heated and she threatened both of us. Whilst shaken up we're still going there but different times and I know that my confidence will come back. Plus I have learnt from this experience and that is all we can do.
Hugs to you both xx

Cheers Sam, we will get there, I haven't seen them again but I can't change times as we only go up there for mornings before work and night times......

I think its battered my confidence more if I am honest Xx

Janey, it really shakes you. When Dempsey came home that time with my oh, pouring blood from his ear & head & with blood covering the whole of the front half of his body I was so shaken!

For a couple of weeks afterwards Dempsey would go for anything with fur & 4 legs. I hardly let him off the lead, it was so bad. But it gradually got better, the more he healed, the less he seemed to remember the fear (and yes, I'm sure he did feel fear at the time of the attack, even if he didn't show it), and so the less he reacted to things.

She (and you) just need a little time to gain your confidence again - and it will come! Loads of ((((HUGS)))) to both you & Moo.

P.S. Eleanor says that her laptop won't load this thread for some reason (too big?) but she wants you to know that she's thinking of you both & sends you both big (((hugs))).

Thank you, you are all very supportive

I echo what Caryll says re the taking time to build your confidence. Betsy and I are at that stage and for now we've gone back to the training lead and short interactions with other dogs, until I feel more confident.

They are our babies and it really knocks you for six, but you will get there, in time. For now you know that we're all behind you xx

i know she your baby but if she bark at other dogs or people you have to told her off make her sit and be quiet, you have to be cruel to be kind that doesn't mean to hit her. just push her bum down if she going crazy.

dont be soft becasue she recovering from an bite... or you will end up like an dog like sam he want to fight every boxer he see, and she can see them coming an mile off after he was attack by 2 boxer when he was 10 months old

Sad to hear about this Janey. As everybody has mentioned, time will be the best medicine for you and Moo. I like the idea of walking with a friend when possible. It will allow you to feel a bit more at ease.

As always thank you, & Steve I certainly wouldn't let her get away with any unwanted behavior!

Yes time will build my confidence back up, just still shocked it happened, I was one of those people that can give advise for these things, never thought I would be in a position where it happened to me.....

How are you and Moo today?

She is ok, I haven't been out with her today my friend has her, but the cuts are healing very nicely and the swelling has gone right down, I think I caught the infection just in time. Thanks Blue XxXx

janey wrote:She is ok, I haven't been out with her today my friend has her, but the cuts are healing very nicely and the swelling has gone right down, I think I caught the infection just in time. Thanks Blue XxXx

Aww that's great news

I'm so glad to hear that Moo's face is healing - you can give yourself a medal for insisting on anti-biotics when the vet wasn't going to give them!

Pray to god it never happens again, but if it did the first thing I would do is get her on antibiotics, however clean it looks..........Xx

Really pleased it's healing up nicely   xx