Fiona3 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 (edited) Even though we check with a flashlight to be sure there are no racoons, skunks, etc. in our back yard, I somehow missed seeing this one (and I feel terrible about it). At 4:15 the four dogs ran into a large racoon. Fiona has a huge gash under her muzzle that is very deep. It looks like it tore a lot of tissue. Her front left canine tooth is sticking out at an angle and may be torn at the root. I rushed her to our vet and she is currently being evaluated and treated. Thank heavens Zeke was out there with her. I saw her freeze and if he had not jumped on the racoon and driven it to run, she would have suffered many more wounds. Although he chased it to a corner, I managed to call him off before he could be hurt and the racoon went over the fence. Because I missed seeing this racoon Fiona may lose her tooth and is going to need a lot of stitches to close the deep wound she received. I try to be so careful and vigilant and protect them - but feel that I failed her big time this morning. Edited June 29, 2009 by Fiona3 Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Racoon can be mean. Healing thoughts for Fiona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Good thoughts for your sweet Fiona. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Yikes, poor pupper! Accidents happen, don't beat yourself up. Fingers crossed Fiona heals quickly. Be sure to check Zeke for even small wounds also. Raccoons can be disease carriers. Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PiagetsMom Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Poor baby......sending good thoughts that Fiona will heal quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaineysMom Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 oh no!!! :( sending many healing hugs and prayers to your girl! :hope :hope Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreytMaxsMom Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Your pup is in my thoughts! Mindy Quote Mom to Max (grey), Buttermilk (grey) and Winston (iggy) and Skinkids, Ally and Ben! In loving memory of Angels Chelsey(Weim), whom we lost on August 26, 2004, Majestic(Chow) on November 20, 2005, on October 5, 2007, we lost Natasha(lab mix), and on May 28, 2009 we lost our greyhound Ike born 7/31/2005 You were too young to go!!!! We lost Monte(Whippet) on September 23, 2009. We miss you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Sending lots of prayers. Don't beat yourself up, please. I do the same thing w/flashlight, and it is easy to miss a still critter with eyes facing away from you. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Oh dear! Sending prayers for Fiona As the others have said, don't beat yourself up...accidents happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devotion Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 big hugs for you both. don't beat yourself up over it.... Quote Pam with greys Avril, Dalton & Zeus & Diddy the dachshund & Miss Buzz the kitty Devotion, Jingle Bells, Rocky, Hans, Harbor, Lennon, NoLa, Scooter, Naomi and Scout at the bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Lots of good thoughts coming from here for your little girl Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Mary, no one takes better care of their dogs or is more vigilant than you are. As much as we try to cover every possibility accidents DO happen. Fiona will be fine. She is in good hands. Yours!! Take care and please try not to blame yourself. Feel better sweet Fiona. Keep us posted please Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheUnrulyHound Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Ouch, poor baby..... Please don't feel bad, you DID check for raccoons..... they are just hard to see sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shanesmom Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Sending good thoughts for Fiona. Please try not to be so hard on yourself. You did go out with a flashlight. Accidents do happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyhound1 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 :hope :hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Accidents happen to the best of us. Fiona will heal, even if she loses a tooth. Jim lost two canines, and though he sometimes had an odd expression when he got a lip caught, he was happy enough, and it never stopped him eating anything. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndless Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Rotten furry little garbage stealers!!! How could he hurt a sweetie? Sending healing thoughts for the sweet girl! Don't beat yourself up, you did check for raccoons this one just happened to be sneekie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Poor girl. Sending healing thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 (edited) Healing thoughts for Fiona - and for you! There's no way you could have predicted this, so be gentle on yourself! Very important, though: have you been vaccinated against rabies? Even though you didn't come in direct contact with the raccoon, you probably DID come in contact with saliva while holding and examining your pups. This is exactly how rabies can be transmitted, and since you don't have the raccoon to have it tested, you really, really need to get yourself to your doctor or ER to start the series. (You'll be given immune globulin in addition to Imovax to provide you with rapid immunity.) If you have any questions, contact your local ACO for recommendations, but here in NH we'd definitely immunize you. If you have had the rabies series, you'd just need a booster. So please, Mary, while Fiona is getting the care she needs, YOU need to do the same! I've given the rabies series innumerable times to patients in the ER and our office - feel free to PM if you have any questions. Jordan Edited June 8, 2009 by houndznigz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyandHollyluv Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Oh man. I hope Fiona is okay. This may be of little consolation, but a few years ago I let the hounds out on a pretty autumn morning. There was a squirrel in the neighbor's yard but quite a distance away. The hounds ran out woof! woof! woof! and instead of running away from the barking dogs - it ran toward my yard and attempted to climb a pine tree along my fenceline to escape. Well, Indy snagged the squirrel by the tail and yanked it down. He shook the squirrel like a ragdoll while the squirrel chattered and wrapped itself around his muzzle trying valiantly to free itself. It was just awful but there was nothing I could do. Then I heard Indy cry out. The squirrel ultimately lost but before conceding defeat it clocked Indy in the face just barely missing his eye. Indy suffered a nasty gash from the squirrel's nails - which required a trip to the ER vet as it was on the weekend (of course). The vet cleaned and stapled him (no time for fancy sutures at the ER vet) -- and Indy sported a lamp shade for ten days. Indy has a scar next to his eye (which gives him character) but otherwise no subsequent problems. Like you, I felt absolutely awful about what happened. I'm very careful with my dogs and go out of my way to avoid danger and potentially bad situations. I'm very sorry this happened but please don't be too hard on yourself. Hugs to you and Fiona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona3 Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks everyone for all your good thoughts and kind words. No word yet from the vet's office - I'm waiting on pins and needles but they are always good about letting me know as soon as they finish with her. Jordan, thank you for that good advice. Fortunately we keep a supply of plastic medical gloves right near the back door due to too many past brushes with woodland creatures. I pulled them on before cleaning Fiona's mouth out with C.E.T. rinse to clear it and washing & treating the wound. Then I washed my hands several times after throwing the gloves out. Hopefully it was a thorough enough precaution against any contact with the racoon saliva. My husband had a pair on when he checked over the other dogs for any signs of contact but Zeke doesn't even have a scratch - Bailey & Tasha chose to watch and observe. Fiona will be getting a booster Rabies shot to be safe. Rabies is too scary to take lightly! Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks everyone for all your good thoughts and kind words. No word yet from the vet's office - I'm waiting on pins and needles but they are always good about letting me know as soon as they finish with her. Jordan, thank you for that good advice. Fortunately we keep a supply of plastic medical gloves right near the back door due to too many past brushes with woodland creatures. I pulled them on before cleaning Fiona's mouth out with C.E.T. rinse to clear it and washing & treating the wound. Then I washed my hands several times after throwing the gloves out. Hopefully it was a thorough enough precaution against any contact with the racoon saliva. My husband had a pair on when he checked over the other dogs for any signs of contact but Zeke doesn't even have a scratch - Bailey & Tasha chose to watch and observe. Fiona will be getting a booster Rabies shot to be safe. Rabies is too scary to take lightly! That's really a very good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Oh, poor baby...tons of prayers for Fiona :hope Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Winterwish Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Sending prayers and thoughts of healing out for Fiona Mary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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