A mar on Thanksgiving

[Maggiesmom]

Well we had thanksgiving at my brothers house and shortly after we got there one of his dogs (he has 3) bit Katlin. We were sitting on the couch and the one dog was licking her and she was petting him, the 2nd dog was standing on the other side of me and DH was petting her when off to the right the 3rd one lunged in and nipped her right elbow (didnt break the skin but you can see a full bite bruise) she turned to me crying and as I was grabbing her the dog lunged in again and got her in the back just above the diaper (bottom teeth got the diaper top teeth her back and they did some what break the skin no bleeding but scraped open) I grabbed her and turned my back to the dog while my SIL grabbed her. Both DH and my mom were right there but it happened so fast they didnt even see what exactly happened. The locked all 3 up for the rest of the day and my brother is now putting that dog down tomorrow. Both he and his wife feel terrible and say they arent willing to risk it with Katlin, the new baby coming or anyone else that maybe there. They have had her since a puppy shes about 7 now and has never bit or nipped before but has gotten snippy with the other 2 dogs at times lately. I feel bad about the whole situation I'm thankful Katlin wasnt hurt worse and with in about 10mins she was off running around and playing. But they are big dogs so it could have been very bad. Its just so surprising how fast it all happened. Hopefully it doesn make her scared of dogs in the future shes been fine with ours since we got home but we'll have to see with other dogs.

 

[ina/puusty]

Sad for that to have happened..but very grateful that it was not worse. Inhale..exhale..and calm as best can. May the rest of weekend, go calmly! Hugs, ina n HB

 

[blstarke]

I am so glad that Katlin is fine
What breed was he?

 

[ardeagold]

Awww....I'm so sorry that happened. Poor Kaitlin. What a scare. It's good that she isn't seriously injured...but I know all of you were terribly upset. Give her lots of hugs and kisses! She'll feel better soon.

Has the dog's thyroid been checked? Often at that age, sudden aggressiveness is a thyroid problem. If the dog needs to be put down, so be it, but if it's a medical issue, perhaps they can medicate with thyroid meds and make her the happy dog she used to be. You might want to suggest they demand that a Michigan full thyroid panel be done and sent to Michigan State. That's where they do the most comprehensive check. If the Vet says we can do it here...don't let them...have your brother make them send it out. The office test won't show a lot of issues that the full panel will.

 

[Jenn]

If it is sudden have they made sure it's not a medical problem? If the dog never had before, it just seems odd.

Glad Katlin was not hurt badly and she will be ok.

The best thing is your family took it seriously and are giving it attention.

 

[Maggiesmom]

Thanks for all your thoughts.
It was sudden in the fact that she hadnt bit a person before but shes been quite bitchy and snappy with their other 2 dogs for several years now. I know they had talked about having to put her down before based on her treatment of the other 2 dogs. All three are rotwielers.
Katlin is doing quite well and not showing any ill effects she was watching TV and a dog came on and she said "look at the nice puppy I want to pet him" so I dont think we'll have a dog fear.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Too bad that had to happen to Katlin, but maybe something is going on with that dog if his personality seems to be changing. Unfortunately things might be worse the next time. I hope they have him checked out medically first before putting him down though. Maybe it is some sort of imbalance.

[ 11-24-2005, 08:54 PM: Message edited by: NewfYork ]

 

[NinaA]

Hopefully Katlin is fine, but I certainly would be careful even around the others. We have had one baby (in a situation similar to yours) and one adult killed by dogs here in the last couple of weeks - and two children and a mother were attacked but escaped. So, big dog phobia is rampant around here and laws are being passed quickly. It could have been so much worse, and it would have happened faster than you could have done anything. Count your blessings tonight.

Nina
et al

 

[Redhead5639]

Our 8yr old GrPyr has gotten very anxious in the past 2 months. He was frightened of thunderstorms in the past but is now tererified. When I know one is coming I have to give him 1/4 of a 25mg tab of ACE. That is the only thing that calms him down. Now he has started pacing and staying close to me when there aren't any thunderstorms. Our vet did a complete work up and everything was normal. Teeth are also great and no decrease in appetite. The vet feels it might be the begining of "doggy dementia". One of my 16 yr old Chows had that and had to be medicated for it. We are trying him on daily Elavil 10mg(human tranquilizer) and it seems to have helped. Some vets use Xanax and Prozac.

Having said that, I would not be comfortable keeping a dog that has bitten a child around them. How can you give them away with a bitting history. So the only option for me would be putting them down. Very sad.

BonnieF Tx.

 

[Sailorgirl]

I'm so relieved to hear that Kaitlin is ok ... what a scary thing to happen. I don't blame them for being concerned about the dog around children and I understand their home is probably not the best place for it. Is there any point in looking into a Rott rescue situation (providing full information on what happened of course)? don't know how rott rescue works but perhaps they are willing to take on cases such as this.

In any case ... I'm sorry about the whole thing.

 

[KS Newf]

This had to be scary and horrible. I am just glad there were no serious physical injuries. I am really sorry.

 

[Leslie]

Oh my gosh, how scary. I'm so sorry this happened and I'm glad our little honorary newfie is okay.

 

[Maggiesmom]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and words.
Katlin is doing GREAT with our dogs so far we havent come into contact with any other dogs. We were watching The Santa Clause the other night and it has 2 barking somewhat growling Rotts in it and she didnt react at all.
Last night while putting her to bed she was say that she has big muscles cuz Uncle Mike (my bro) gave them to her. We said really he gave them to you. She said yep when we were at his house he gave them to me then his dog tried to eat me but I'm ok now. So she did realize more than I thought on the dog biting her. But seems to be ok with it...THANK GOD!!