HELP Charlie's been bitten

[Ann]

I'm so sorry to hear about Charlie. You are doing the best you can but try to not stress too much as he will feel your stress and become stressed himself. I know it is easy for me to say I havn't been through it but he will react to your feelings. I do hope he gets better quickly and that nothing develops from this.

As far as the owners of the other dog is concerned they are responsible for their dog and they should have protected their dog from others buy using a mouth gard and a lead. They are lucky that your dog didn't turn on it as there would of been a lot more wrong their dog if he did.

Be proud of your Charlie as he behaved himself very well. I do beleive that you need to take him back to the park as soon as you are sure he is better so he doesn't develop a fear. Encourage him to play with dogs again. He may be courious but that isn't a bad thing either.

Toby and I had a real bad encounter with two big dogs when I was taking him for a walk A year or two ago and Toby has not been as friendly with big dogs since. When he sees a big dog he will bark at them continuously. I think what made it worse was that I would get nervious when a big dog comes close as it frieghtened the life out of me. That is why I say that you need to check your feelings and not be stressed around him.

I will pray for Charlie.

[KateB]

That's so terrible, I hope Charlie is doing okay! How is he feeling now? Did you take him in to the vet??
Ann is right, take him back to the park ASAP and try to be calm and relaxed about it. Our Charlie got attacked at the dog park by a yorkie of all dogs, luckily my bf was right there to shove the dog off before anything really bad happened but he sure was shaken by it. We stayed for a while longer so we wouldn't be leaving on a bad note and brought him back soon after so he wouldn't be afraid, he's fine now.

[Traceyred]

Hi everyone. Charlie is doing ok I think, but he's not quite out of the woods yet. I've taken him for a few walks, firstly, just around the streets, and then to the park - but not the same one. Charlie seemed to be on high alert but that's to be expected I suppose. Going back to the park it happened at is the next step. I'm trying to be really calm. His best friend Hugo the boxer came to visit us yesterday and Charlie was so pleased to see him -they both played chase round the garden for a while and it was good to see him so happy.

As for his wounds, the one under the chin seems to be healing nicely. The one on the side of his nose is not so good as it's swollen and weepy, and also quite smelly. But from what I've been hearing, it's a good thing that it's still open and weepy as that means that the bacteria is flushing itself out rather than healing over with the badness inside which could cause an abcess. I've been bathing it as much as possible to keep it open - he hates it though - and it makes matters even more difficult as I broke my wrist last week so I'm wearing a plaster cast and it's really hard trying to keep him still whilst I do it!

So he's not better yet, but at least it's not getting any worse. 

[ellietoo]

I would be afraid to take Gracie to a dog park. She is so small and people around here know nothing about training their dogs. Some big dogs think of little dogs as bait. They don't know what that little thing is running around and go after it. When I walk Gracie I pick her up whenever I see a big dog approaching unless I know for sure the dog is friendly.
I don't want to sound pushy because I know how vet bills can be so expensive but if that wound continues to leak a yellow discharge it means that it is infected. If there is swelling then the infection is growing. Puncture wounds are the hardest to clean and you cannot soak a face wound. If you don't see improvement soon please take him to the vet. It would be better to treat him with oral antibiotics than to wait and have to have him on IV antibiotics.

[mandy15]

I'm glad Charlie's starting to feel better. I hope the sore on his nose does fine also. That was very scary.......

[Traceyred]

I understand your concerns Ellie and I promise if it isn't getting better I will take him to the vets. He does seem a little better though this morning. He had a nice long bath/shower last night, I got the bathroom all steamed up and it seems to have cleared some of it out. This morning it's not so swollen. I'm constantly checking his temperature too, as that's a sure sign of infection.

Thanks to everyone for your kind wishes, advice and prayers. I will keep you all posted.

[raleysmom]

I hope he continues to heal.  It is important to keep the wound flushed and clean but you seem to know that!    Keep us updated!  As it is now day time where you are, good morning!

[Traceyred]

Good morning/evening/afternoon Raley's Mom!

I've just been watching Charlie rubbing his face on the pillow and then running round like a maniac - he's having a mad half hour - but I think he's at the itchy stage and I think he's actually trying to scratch it but can't. He doesn't seem in any real discomfort though - he seems happy with himself and is being playful - trying to involve me in his game, so I think he's on the mend - thankfully! 

We just went to the park and he bumped into another dog and Charlie wanted to play. So it seems like his confidence is good - although he has met this dog before so it'll be a better test when there are strange dogs about. Fingers crossed though!

[Ann]

Tracyred,
Charlie sound like he's doing well, good job we are still thinking of you and charlie.

[junip1977]

Sorry I have been gone on vacation and I just saw this post.  I sure hope Charlie is doing much better by now.  How scary to have that happen to him.  We have never been to a dog park for that reason.  We have always been too scared of what other dogs might do....:-(