One more dog question...bite wound!

restrangled

As most of you know my two dobes got into a horrible fight in the street while walking them. They are quite subdued at this point and ashamed of themselves. (they have been together for over 5 years) with only 2 minor fights.

I have been treating wounds all week, shaving hair, applying antibiotic creams at least 4 times a day, to legs, necks, etc. I had a full prescription for antibiotics that I had not used, and gave it to the older guy with the terrible laceration to his chest.

Thankfully it has healed up beautifully with no problems.

Here is the problem. I missed one small wound on the younger one's chest. Swelling has developed to the size of a very large egg......He has not lost his appetite or vigor for life. He lets me do anything I want to him including trying to pierce the damn thing to get it to drain,.....which it didn't. After research on the INTERNET it says it will drain or it won't on it's own, but no further info....so how long do I wait.?

My question is, before I call the vet over for the cost of $500.00.. to $1000.00.....How long should I wait to let it burst? ( It's been about 3 days) I am going to call tomorrow if it doesn't go tonight on it's own....or should I hold out?

I would never wait if he was ill, or not eating...but he is as active as ever.

Has anyone gone through this with their dogs?

r.

juni

No I haven't restrangled. I would be talking to the vet tomorrow. Just to have them take a look. Animals' pain tolerance is high. You want it looked at in case he needs to be on antibiotics.

Juni

greendawn

I never had this problem because I would never keep two male dogs in the same house because they are very territorial and prone to fighting. I am also surprised at how much vet fees cost in the US like dental fees they seem to be exhorbitant.

The only thing I can suggest is getting some antibiotic pills and give them to the dog with its food eg stuck inside a small piece of cheese.

restrangled

Once the abscess develops, no antibiotic will help. It has to burst or be lanced.....then the drugs will help....this is my problem...If I have to have it lanced it's going to be $500.00 plus. If it goes on it own then under $500.00.

Like I said I would never hesitate if the dog was not eating, drinking or playing.

but he is doing all of the above.

r.

Scully

With the wound being on his chest, I would be concerned if the abscess burst and infection spread to the major organs - especially to his heart. If that happens you may not have the luxury of time to get antibiotics into him before he becomes septic and extremely ill.

We put off having my cat spayed for various reasons - until she came down with pyometra (infection in the uterus) - if we'd just done the spay initially and got it over with, it would have cost $150 maximum. With the emergency surgery for pyometra (the uterus burst in the vet's hand so we got it just in time) we ended up paying almost $1000.

That's one thing that terrifies me about owning purebred (expensive) animals - the cost of veterinary bills. Do you have health insurance for your guys to help with vet costs?

SWALKER

Where do you live that it would cost that much??? Maybe you should check around for another vet! It would be better to get it taken care of now before it gets to be a major problem. Sorry you're having so much trouble....those dogs need a BIG GUY around to show them who the boss is!!! (They really do need to have a guy put them down, like the Dog Whisperer does on occasion...)

Swalker

davegod

The size of an egg? Where on earth do you live? Go to the/any vet! If you can't afford to have them, don't have them.

purplesofa

hey R

This happened to my Weimeriner. Out on a two week runaway, he came back in the most terrible of shape. I could not do it myself but he had places on him that had to be drained.

My friend came over and did it. With a syringe she put some kind of cleaner inside where she cut the hole flushing out the wound.

We thoroughly bathed him and then put vinegar on his coat.

Sadly he died from heartworms later.

purps

Nathan Natas

I haven't had to deal with this either, but I would start out with warm wet compresses to soften and open the scabs on the wound. Probably I would use warm (not hot) hydrogen peroxide instead of plain water. If you use water, bring it to a boil and then let it cool down to warm.

Is your vet adverse to giving you ADVICE on the phone, or is he strictly in it for the money?

Were your dogs fighting each other, or some third dog?

Best wishes, sounds like you need it.

misanthropic

Were your dogs fighting each other, or some third dog?

That's what I was wondering. I hope your dog gets better soon R. ((((((((R's dog)))))))

One more dog question...bite wound!

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