Guest greyarea Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Last night I gave Molly (7) and Lucy (9) their milk bones as usual, turned around and the next thing I know they are literally at each other's throats. After physically separating them, Lucy was in respiratory distress - Molly was fine. At first I though Lucy was choking on the milk bone - until I noticed the blood. LOTS of blood. Apparently, in the altercation, Lucy's front teeth had caught on Molly's collar tearing the gum and breaking the tip of her palate (the Emergency Vet report later called this "oral trauma, rostral palatal laceration, rostral maxillary fracture"). I could see that the incisors were no longer aligned and were flapping forward as if hinged from above. As I indicated, we ended up at the Emergency Vet. Overnight they took Xrays and performed surgery to suture up the wound. The concern is whether or not this is enough to keep the bone in place and that Lucy may lose the incisors. She may also need additional surgery depending on how well this holds. As a minimum they want to see her in 10 days to remove the sutures and evaluate. (note - the vet was very greyhound sensitive and had obviously dealt with them before. Lucy had no problems coming out of anesthesia this morning) Obviously, this was pretty horrific for us to deal with. But Lucy is resting quietly today. She ate a little soft food this morning and has slept most of the day. Has anyone seen this kind of injury before? Greyhound jaws do seem fragile. She's not to be allowed play toys for 3 months and we're to try to keep her from "rooting" around. My biggest concern is her biting or "knitting" at itches on her rump. I'm thinking maybe her "old friend" the muzzle? It was a short night and we're all a bit frazzled today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 If you don't want to muzzle her you can get her a No Bite collar which won't allow her to nit anywhere. I think it would be a little more comfortable than an e collar. Hope she heals quickly. Most fights between dogs happen over toys and food. You might want to keep all toys put away for the 3 month period, or take your other pup outside and play with the toys and put them away inside. The temptation to play with toys might be hard on her. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeddysMom Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I am so sorry this happened, I feel badly for all of you. I had to give up giving treats unless everyone is seperated after reading so many horror stories of fights. Now I am overly cautious I guess. Lucy will be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. Hugs to you and your babies. Try to get some rest today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Holy Yikes! I've never heard of that kind of trauma...her jaw broke from being entangled in a collar? ow ow ow ow ow...(I know I'm not helping). Sending prayers to your girl for a speedy and complete recovery :hope Gentle ear scritches too...Sounds like you handled a rather scary situation quite well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 First, I am sorry this had to happen to all of you! Of all the stuff I've seen, this is a first for me. I am SURE you were very upset and scared. I am very paranoid with feeding and giving treats, too. Sending lots of healing thoughts to all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sighthounds4me Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 I've heard of this kind of thing before. Not quite this type of injury, but similar. I am sorry this happened to you and your family! I pray for a good recovery! Another reason for breakaway collars... Quote Sarah, the human, Henley, and Armani the Borzoi boys, and Brubeck the Deerhound.Always in our hearts, Gunnar, Naples the Greyhounds, Cooper and Manero, the Borzoi, and King-kitty, at the Rainbow Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Sending prayers for a swift and uneventful recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Oh OW. Yeah, I'd think the basket muzzle might be your best friend for a bit. Would try it first while you're at home and can watch to see if it will work without impeding things. FWIW, Joseph wore one for the best part of two weeks after his tummy surgery (but he didn't have a snout injury). Hugs and hopes for quick, complete healing. 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 greyarea Posted May 14, 2010 Share Posted May 14, 2010 Thanks to all for the kind words and good wishes. I think we will try the muzzle this weekend while we can monitor her. She hasn't worn one in a while and probably won't be crazy about it. But we need to protect those sutures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FullMetalFrank Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Ouch, poor kid! Just wondering, how are her teeth? I wonder if some underlying bone loss might have contributed to her maxillary fracture? If so, the vet likely would have noted that when he was fixing her up... Hopefully that bone will knit just fine and she won't lose any of her toofers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tinams8 Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Wow! Ouch. I know some people don't keep collars on their dogs because a tooth might get caught...but I had no idea THAT could happen! I hope she heals up quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Paige12 Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Have you thought about those soft cloth, almost a webbing kind of muzzle? Or is that the kind you have anyways? So sorry for this awful accident to have happen. I can't imagine how you felt!! Wishes for a smooth recovery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 How is Lucy doing today? Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 I will be praying for a speedy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greytluv Posted May 15, 2010 Share Posted May 15, 2010 Lucy I hope she's feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Poor wee lass. Hope the recovery is smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2greygirls Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 OUCH! I would think a basket muzzle would help...as they are used to wearing them and don't restrict movement..that has to be one tough place to try and keep immobile, can they wire it somehow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyarea Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Again, thanks for all the support. Lucy is doing well today - though she's a bit bothered by the sutures behind her front teeth! Lots of licking and mouthing. We had her out for our normal trip to the boat ramp - she loves a ride in the car, but was perhaps a bit less enthusiastic about hanging her head out the window today. She's eating well - soft food only. As for the condition of her teeth, the Emergency Vet was quite impressed with her mouth. I brush Lucy's and Molly's teeth fairly often with an electric tooth brush (I tried a Sonicare, but that's a bit intense for them!) and scale them pretty regularly. My normal vet said that Lucy's teeth look better than most dogs' after they've had a cleaning. Still, I think the incisors have a bit of plaque buildup. So far, so good. We just hope for the best over the next week or so until we see the Vet again. Thanks again for the input and support! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stripeyfan Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 sending more to Lucy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 No experience here, but sending lots of good wishes for quick healing. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggiespet Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Hugs and prayers coming your way. Quote http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g240/mtbucket/siggies/Everyday-2.jpgJane - forever servant to the whims and wishes of Maggie (L's Magnolia of JCKC) and Sam the mutt pup.[/b] She's classy, sassy and a bit smart assy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patsy Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Lucy, you're in on the nightly candle in ND now . . . . and I think any of us would be bothered by sutures behind our front teeth! Yuk!!!!!!!! Quote Patsy and DH with the Humane Society specials, Linus & Jazz, in North Dakota Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeddysMom Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Just checking in on Lucy this morning, hope she is feeling better. Teddy just licked his stitches through the muzzle so I had to put tape on the end until the poop cup arrived. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greyarea Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 We've had a good weekend - Lucy is resting a lot and eating normally. No bad reactions to meds and all seems to be going well. Spent some time "reintroducing" Lucy to her turnout muzzle. She's not crazy about it (it's been a while!), but we'll keep working with it. All in all, she seems to be doing better than I had expected. I'll schedule her followup with and deliver Xrays to our regular vet tomorrow. After viewing the Xrays, it's easy to see how this kind of injury can occur. Such small bones! Thanks for all the support and good thoughts. BTW - Lucy could be Maggie's twin sister - looks JUST like her! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeddysMom Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 I am happy to read the update that Lucy is doing well and eating. Will keep her in my prayers for a fast and easy recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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