help!! i got bit - bad
read the 'body language' thread
what do you do for a deep puncture wound from a dog??
do i need a tetenus shot? he's utd on vaccines
the puncture is mid forearm on the bone, left arm, outside of arm.
the bruise is the size of a golfball and feels like one too. thats on top of the forearm.
The skin tear and full mouth impression is the top/inner of forearm.
Comments
i have had a tetanus shot, i think it was already 7 years ago though. we're considering the hospital now.
my arm looks like a dogs dinner. ew. my Kitsune definitely needs some therapy.
Ewww Dave I didn't want that mental image >.<
I am telling myself that you are at the hospital while John is at the emergency vet with Kobe.
hello all, to everyone's dismay we did not go to the vet last night or the emergency room. I am taking a sick day to see my doctor today though because my arm is incredibly sore and the puncture wound looks like it might need a stitch because any time i move, it bleeds. I am using peroxide and antibiotic ointment before I rebandage.
Kobe is still nursing his leg and will be going to the vet today too.
This morning, with everyone in their crates, Kujo, I mean Kitsune, is the only one eating. I think Tsuki is depressed.
But I contacted the rescue and they might make arrangements to get Kobe out of here for everyone's safety.
Clearly this is something bigger than just a pack order issue and beyond that I don't feel ready to deal with it, nor do I have the time with working so much at the end of the semester, and I honestly don't feel safe leaving John home with all 3 now and I can't leave them in crates all day.
Damn. You think you are doing a good thing...
But now that Kitsune has caused so much damage, I don't feel comfortable just having him around like we used to. He had to have tasted my blood and Kobe's, does that change a dog? Does he know what he did to me? If he is abnormal, does he not 'feel' bad about it? I'm a little pensive about my own dog now. Granted, he is still new, he's only here 1.5 months now.. I don't know. I have to get ready for Kobe's vet!
I'm sorry for what happened.
omgoodness. This is what happens when you go to bed early. Let us know what the doctor & vet says.
My husky bit my father once. The dog and I were standing on a porch. My father was coming up the stairs, he stumbled and reached out to grab my arm. Gorky latched on to his forearm and growled. In Gorky's mind, he was just protecting me. I'd had Gorky for about 5 years - he'd been staying with my parents that last year of college. Dad had 4 large punctures and several smaller scrapes. Dad had to get a tetanus and we had to take in copies of Gorky's vaccinations. Even though Gorky had been recently vaccinated, Dad still had to have the rabies test done. We were in the clear on that, thank goodness.
We never had another problem over the next 9 years that I had Gorky. I was worried because I had been told once a dog gets a taste of blood that's it, they'll always want it - I now believe that was just an old wives' tale. The major thing was making sure that Dad didn't act tentative around Gorky, who was a bit headstrong. We wanted to make sure that Gorky didn't think he'd moved up in the pack order.
Jen - I think "bloodlust" is a bit of a myth. Like when they say once lions taste human blood it's all they want. Research has actually proved (through looking at skulls, etc) that lions who attack humans, usually have an injured jaw that will not let them take down more difficult prey, humans are an easy target.
Back on topic. It sounds like Kitsune could use one on one with a real behavorist (specalizing in aggression), this will not be cheap. You should not expect him to feel bad about it, that is not how dog psyche works, you are hoping for a human emotion of regret and apology from him, it wont happen, he is already over it. While I personally would not consider this the end of the line for a dog, I guess I can see how others would. Kobe needs to go somewhere where he is safe. Maybe fostering is not something you will be able to do, or not until Kitsune is more balanced. There are other ways to help otu rescues.
Please go get your arm treated to avoid infection. Kitsune will probably need to be quarantined for like 10 days, I don't think you are going to be able to lie about it being a do bite, unless you want to lie about which dog bit you, such as you could say a stray on the street.
You have done a good thing by fostering dogs however, Kobe needs to go. You and John need to seriously consider a professional in dealing with Kitsune. You probably will have to put fostering on the back table for a while. Your own dogs need attention. And...get to a hospital or clinic.
well so far - i got a tetanus shot and they irrigated my puncture wound, looks OK, no infection yet.
Kobe is still nursing his leg, Kitsune is calm, everything is calm. everytime i type that it bites me in the... literally, it does.
we;re considering all options before rehoming Kobe to another foster.
As you may know I do a lot of rescue work. I draw the line when a dog bites. Was there any sign of bite inhibition? Meaning when he realized he bit you did he withdraw? or did he thrash? This is key. When a dog I recently adopted went after me with no warning and showed no bite inhibition I consulted multiple rescues and behaviorists for advice.
It is a hard decision to make. But try to be level headed about the matter. Count your blessings that he bit you and not another person, or God forbid a child. Not only can that be emotionally devestating, it could be a serious law suit.
In the future, dog bites that pierce the skin require IMMEDIATE medical attention. You are very lucky that you didn't get VERY sick.
While your intentions are ver honorable. Your home situations sounds less than ideal for fostering. Your dogs may just be too sensitive to accept a rotating roster of pack members. It is precisely why I volunteer and don't foster. My pound puppies need stability even more so than your average dogs. Piglet was so traumatized by the move, Jason's absence, and the addition of Himiko that I have had to take her back to square one training wise. She is bouncing back well but I know that she needs a calm stable environment. I have gone so far as to hire babysitters when I am at work so as to keep everyone safe and calm.
Personally. I would have Kobe placed elsewhere as soon as possible. And then get a behaviorist over to work with your dogs. Bites need to be taken VERY seriously.
Good luck with everything.
So I talked with the rescue and they don't feel Kobe is in any real danger. I said well how about this - I AM uncomfortable and WILL NOT be breaking up another fight however it goes down. they said we do what we have to do with dogs in need.
so until another foster (which they lack) or forever home is established, they feel that we should keep the boys seperated because at the moment there are no available homes.
I'm not trying to sound absurd to unreal, its just I never ever saw these behaviors in Kitsune since we adopted him, and 2 fosters have come and gone since then! A female cairn/JRT mix and a male basset. No incident at all. Nothing. But I can't just throw up my hands. Its a tough situation.
And Kitsune got injured in the fight as well. We just found his wound.
This has been very difficult on all of us - the dogs and us. And despite the tetanus shots and antibiotics and pain pills for the dogs and finding a chain to put in a bag to deflect the next fight - I really have not given up. I can't give up. We will work with what we have.
We've called a behaviorist that has come highly recommended by the vet at our clinic that I really trust and respect. He doesn't charge upfront and will be coming by this weekend to 'observe and assess'.
And in the meantime, Kobe has no where else to go, so we will remain segmented in my home and try to diffuse as much as we can and deflect as much as we can.
jessica - he didn't exactly 'go after me', I pulled him out of the fight and thats when he got my arm. My husband pulled Kobe out and his thumb got bit - no blood, but bit. I'm sort of worried that since we did intervene, thats why everyone got hurt. Up until now, there has been bite inhibition, except a couple weeks ago when Kitsune bit Tsuki and she bled but she was fine, just a superficial surface wound from play I guess.
I don't know... I really think Kitsune has some real work to do. I already emailed the rescue he came from for some history that she may or may not have left out when we asked about his temperment and history. Ugh. Trying to do good things with horrible aftermaths - that should be on my business card!!
Also, if a fight for some reason breaks out and the bag isn't handy, I'd start by booting them in the ass. But it shouldn't happen since they are seperated.
I think this is one of those situations where you are being unselfish by helping Kobe, but, at the same time, being rather selfish by putting you and your family (dogs included) in harms way.
The fact that the rescue org you are dealing with is ok with Kobe being in the type of situation you he is in at your home is a bit troubling to me too.
That's my opinion... I'm sure it's not what you want to hear, but in times like this you need to look at the whole picture and not just your intended goal and pride.
I'm interested to hear what the behaviorist says... but he/she only makes their money if they fix the problem, so I am sure he will not be looking out for your best interests since getting rid of Kobe is not "fixing the problem" in his/her outlook.