Guest evanderleeuw Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 So my first post and it had to be this... Anyway Luke is new to us (since April) and was bitten by another dog owned by our in-laws. It happened in an instant and before we both pulled the leashes back he received a laceration under his neck. We are away visiting family in Greenville, NY (just south of Albany) so we don't have a Vet up here. I called one to talk and we were trying to figure out by phone through my description of the bite if it was necessary. We came to the decision to wait for the morning, but I'm having second thoughts. It's hard to tell from the pictures but the Lac is shallow and seems to be just the top layer of the skin. I think because of the location and the way the skin is taut it looks to be ripped and not a puncture wound I cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide which he didn't like at all and I was glad we had the muzzle with us. What would you do? Go to the vet or wait till the morning? Thanks, Erik [/img] [/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I think I would go to the vet, but wouldn't necessarily make a visit to the e vet. Is he leaving it alone? If you can keep him from making it bigger, then he should be ok until the morning. He might need a stitch or two, but, I really can't tell. 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...
Hubcitypam Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) My vote is that if he is not bleeding, not in obvious distress and is drinking it will wait until morning. Edited July 3, 2012 by Hubcitypam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I'd have it stitched up. If you wait too long they won't be able to do it. Your pup will probably need antibiotics too. 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 evanderleeuw Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 He's sleeping and doesn't seem bothered by it. The wound has some fluid coming out, but not blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IHeartDogs Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I'd have it stitched up. If you wait too long they won't be able to do it. Your pup will probably need antibiotics too. Agreed. Stitches need to be put in before the skin start to 'die', and it looks like a couple stitches or staples will be needed. Waiting until tomorrow means they might have to trim away some skin before stitching. Sorry it happened, hope everything heals up quickly. Poor Luke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Most wounds will ooze like that, it's normal. 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...
KF_in_Georgia Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 No more peroxide, though--whether you take him in for stitches tonight or not. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubcitypam Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I really wouldn't wake him up and flip him out, but that is just me. No more peroxide, though--whether you take him in for stitches tonight or not. yes, only use peroxide once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beledi Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 (edited) Please keep us posted. Darn these thin skinned sweethearts.. Edited July 3, 2012 by beledi Quote "Then God sent the Greyhound to live among man and remember. And when the day comes God will call the Greyhound to give Testament, and God will pass judgment on man." Persian Proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evanderleeuw Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Thanks for the Peroxide tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatricksMom Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 DH agreed with me, the neck, evet. Quote Beth, Petey (8 September 2018- ), and Faith (22 March 2019). Godspeed Patrick (28 April 1999 - 5 August 2012), Murphy (23 June 2004 - 27 July 2013), Leo (1 May 2009 - 27 January 2020), and Henry (10 August 2010 - 7 August 2020), you were loved more than you can know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Vet in the am would be my vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evanderleeuw Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I think I'm just going to bring him up. Because the way the wound is and the location it has created a pocked of skin below the lac and it's oozing a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Are there any pockets near the laceration that could be filling with blood? The neck area is never a good place for a greyhound to get bitten and because of that, if there is any question as to whether it is still bleeding then it would be better to head to the e-vet tonight. On top of that, there is the risk of infection and stitches are better done sooner rather than later. Hope everything turns out OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 I'd go to the e-vet. If it needs attention, then it will get it. If it turns out that it doesn't need attention, then you are reassured. Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin1017 Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Robin had a bite on his side once and we decided to wait till morning. Worst night's sleep ever, and we felt absolutely awful, because he was in pain and spent the whole night standing next to the bed panting. Ended up with a fever in the morning when we brought him in. So I would say vet tonight. Though it sounds like you already decided that anyway. Good luck! Quote Cathy & Calvin (DOB 9/18/13). Always missing my angel Robin (Abdo Bullard). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vjgrey Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Wounds like that can be deeper than you think at first glance. I'd go to the evet. Quote Valerie w/ Cash (CashforClunkers) & Lucy (Racing School Dropout)Missing our gorgeous Miss Diamond (Shorty's Diamond), sweet boy Gabe (Zared) and Holly (ByGollyItsHolly), who never made it home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 How did things go last night? Hope it wasn't too serious & all are feeling better today. It's after the fact but from looking at the pics I was feeling 50/50 on whether he needed vet attention but am hoping you did follow through on your decision to take him. Photos only tell part of the story & can be very misleading. I've had several situations that looked like similar to that. One required stitches. The others I only did home care for. For one of the home care injuries there was some pooling of fluids under the skin. Assumed a hematoma juding by the bruising next day. All would have photographed similar to that yours though. Sometimes it's really hard to know what requires immediate vet attention. I am inclined to go with the better safe than sorry approach though. For future reference, don't use peroxide at all on something like that. It isn't effective enough to do what you really want but it can kill skin cells thus requiring more work if they need to suture. Hope all is well or at least on the road to recovery today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evanderleeuw Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 OK Luke is all patched up, he was given three staples and a bruised ego. It was the right decision to go last night, the "pocket" that I thought was just the way his skin was, was actually caused by the other dogs teeth cutting into the skin and was quite deep. So because of the pocket he still has an open wound/hole (looks nasty) below the three staples so it can drain and reduce the likelihood of an abscess forming. So all is well, just have to flush the wound a couple times of day and give him his meds that haven't upset his stomach yet. Thank you all for your help, Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 We'd treat that at home. But then, we're well stocked with pain meds and antibiotics if it were necessary. I don't like punctures stitched up, even if they put in a drain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted July 3, 2012 Share Posted July 3, 2012 Don't be surprised if Luke develops a "uni-boob" at the lowest point on his chest. It will go away on its own as the fluid re-absorbs. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evanderleeuw Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 OK, so we went to my vet at home today to get checked and he basiclly said the wound care he received by the e-vet was terrible. The staples were too few (3 for a 3cm lac) and too far apart, the drain they left open was extremely large (it even seemed too big to me, it was a hole the size of a dime or bigger), the solution they gave to me to flush the open drain shouldn't have been given, and the pain medication Carprofen shouldn't have been given to him either. (I don't know who to believe anymore) Now the past couple of days Luke has been periodically walking sideways when he gets out of the crate or goes down the stairs (his head tilts and his hind legs go out to the side). He looks to be off balance and out of sync. This is beginning to worry me a bit...any advice or knowledge of this happening to your hound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 (edited) Did you ask the vet about these latest symptoms when you were there today? If not, I would call and ask him/her. It could be many things ... a reaction to the meds, an infection starting, an inner ear problem, maybe he has a neck injury when the other dog got him. Regardless, I'd get him back to the vet. See if you can take a video when he looks off-balance or his head is tilting. edited to add -- he may need x-rays of his neck and back but, the vet should be able to examine him and determine what should be done. Are you going to a vet that was recommended by the adoption agency? If not, is he knowledgeable about greys? Edited July 7, 2012 by MaryJane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 OK, so we went to my vet at home today to get checked and he basiclly said the wound care he received by the e-vet was terrible. The staples were too few (3 for a 3cm lac) and too far apart, the drain they left open was extremely large (it even seemed too big to me, it was a hole the size of a dime or bigger), the solution they gave to me to flush the open drain shouldn't have been given, and the pain medication Carprofen shouldn't have been given to him either. (I don't know who to believe anymore) Now the past couple of days Luke has been periodically walking sideways when he gets out of the crate or goes down the stairs (his head tilts and his hind legs go out to the side). He looks to be off balance and out of sync. This is beginning to worry me a bit...any advice or knowledge of this happening to your hound? I can't address the walking sideways -- that would concern me. But I really don't understand where your vet is coming from. 3 staples for a 3cm laceration is plenty. The only time you really need more than that is, say, on the non-fleshy part of a leg, where there is a LOT of pull on the skin all the time. And you want a good-sized drain if there is a deep wound. Carprofen is a perfectly good med, often given for pain and inflammation. Can't address the flushing solution as you haven't stated what it is ..... But, it sounds to me like the e-vet did a reasonable job. Hugs and hopes your pupper heals well and feels lots better soonest. 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...
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