Rottie attack and abscess (long)

[McNewfie]

My sweet, beautiful 16 week old Lansdeer girl and I were attacked by our neighbor's 2 Rotties a week ago. I went to let the neighbor's know that her dogs had gotten out and my puppy followed me (in my yard). The Rotties came back when they saw us and sniffed her (they had gotten off before and been ok with our dogs who are contained by Invisible Fence). She whined and then they just lit into her. I picked her up and they tried to pull her out of my arms by biting and pulling her hind legs. I finally put her on the ground and covered her with my body until they could get the Rotties inside. It was a terrifying experience. Both of us were bitten. She suffered some bad puncture wounds. She would have been killed had I not gotten on top her.

Well, all seemed to be healing well (under the vets advice and care), but Thursday I noticed some swelling and what appeared to be an huge abscess starting. I called my vet and set up an appt. for the next day. By Friday it had doubled in size. The vet had to cut and drain the huge abscess (the size of a fist). There was so much fluid but it was clear and not infected. There was a drain left in for 5 days. By Sat (yesterday) it was huge again and very hard. The vet said to do warm/cold compresses and give her aspirin for swelling and massage the area. Today it seems to be just as big and hard.

Do you think she will have to have surgery to remove this hard mass? Will it go away with time and proper care? I may plan on showing her - would this affect that (it is on her shoulder near her neck). She is acting and eating fine and I plan to call the vet first thing in the morning.

 

[NessaM]

Oh god Lois I'm so sorry! What an awful experience! Did the police get involved since you were bitten? Those rotties need to be evaluated for safety.

I've only had experience with hard swellings in reaction to injections in my boys - the ones I've seen melted away within a week. I'm sure the compresses and the massaging will help.

I hope you both heal cleanly and that she doesn't suffer any future fear of other dogs - it would be awful if this spoiled her ability to trust!

 

[Ivoryudx]

Is there fluid coming out through the drain? Have you kept it clean/clear? If your Vet didn't show you how to clean it, I would get them on the phone immediately and be sure it stays cleared out, so it can work properly.

If the drain is working correctly, it should keep the fluid from building up again.

Only time will tell how much the injury will effect her for future, but I would be sure and get x-rays to check for deep wounds/breaks/cracks as well as socialize, socialize and socialize her with SAFE dogs of all kinds.

I hope you both recover well, with no lasting effects. I would also never trust that my dogs are safe in a invisible fence.

 

[McNewfie]

>> Did the police get involved since you were bitten? Those rotties need to be evaluated for safety.<<

I had the report filed with the health deptartment who went to the house immediately to make sure they were all immunized. It turns out one was, the other was a few days over needing the rabies shot and they are watching him. We are trying to work out something with the neighbors. It is awkward because we are frinds and our children play together. That said, it is not worth risky anyone's safety.

 

[McNewfie]

Hi Susan,

At this point the wound is not draining (it is hard and not full of fluid anymore). I am following all of the vet's instructions.

Once she is healed I am going to get her around some other (friendly!) dogs to make sure she has no lasting efects.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

What a shame that happened! To me this is more serious than what just happened especially that children are around. It sounds like a matter of time before something else happens. I would try to let the neighbor know how serious a situation this is or could be. An invisible fence is not adequate with dogs like this next door. I hope your pup is ok. She probably will be fine to show, if you want, as long as the hair grows over the wounds.

 

[McNewfie]

Yes, it is a terrible situation. I am worried for my children as well as theirs. We had a meeting with them to let them know how serious of a situation it is and we have gotten local police involved. We are also trying to change our fencing to avoid any future problems. It is too bad though, we own our property and the neighbors rent. We put a lot of money into the invisible fence to give our dogs 2 acres to run and now we will have to invest more! Hopefully, being renters, they will leave and the next tenants won't own a dog (we are friends with the owners and will see to that!).

 

[kopork]

Oh I'm so sorry..
Maybe you know,I have two rotties and I don't want to think my rotties attack on another dog! I would feel so bad and be ashamed.My elder rottie has bitten by another dog on her neck,and couple days ago,they both almost had attacked.My puppy is younger than yours.I can imagine how she scared
I hope your puppy will be heal,and thanks God there isn't more serious injury,rotties could hurt very seriously
As a dog owner,but especially rottie owner,I'm so sorry.And this event shows that large breed dogs,such as rotties,dobermanns,german shepherd dogs and etc.,never get uncontrolled if they have access to another dogs/yards.

 

[McNewfie]

Thanks, Mystery. I wish the owners felt the same as you. They are not acting like they feel bad now and even said the puppy shouldn't have followed me (on our own yard)! We are talking to the landlords now because it isn't being resolved the way would would like it to be.

I had the vet come over today because the wound was still huge, and now she thinks she has a blood clot. It is doesn't get better in a few weeks with compresses and massaging, she will have to have surgery!

 

[kopork]

"even said the puppy shouldn't have followed me (on our own yard)!"
This is almost the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.Your puppy,your yard..It's not their business...Their dogs shouldn't attack you and your dog,this is the problem here,not what your puppy is doing on her yard.
If they aren't sad for what their dogs did,I think they aren't responsible owners enough.What is the difference between your puppy and their dog?What if another dog attack on their dog,can they say "well,sorry,it's our fault cause my rottie was walking on my yard" again?
(I got mad,really.)

 

[kopork]

Oh I forgot...I hope the surgery will not be necessary.With your care and love,she'll heal soon.Here,we say something for these cases,I can translate it as "let it stay in past".(I'm not sure if I translated right)

 

[luvmynwfy]

Did you Vet show you how the do a massage treatment to help drain the swelling? A certified Canine masseuse can help you with that too. I am so sorry you guys went through all of that - makes me feel sick inside. My girl has been attacked by various breeds (Shepherds, Goldens, Labs etc)- bitten badly. That's good advice to try and expose her to friendly dogs again soon. I hope surgery wont be necessary.
good luck,
Marina

 

[McNewfie]

Thanks, Marina. My vet did not exactly show me what to do, just told me to massage the area and use hot/cold compresses. I may see if their is a canine massuese in my area.

I feel sick every time I look at it - not that it is gross, just because of what she went through. She is the sweetest puppy. I love all of my Newfies, but she has a very special place in my heart. I will be getting her together with some of my friend's dogs, once she heals from the drain being removed.

 

[Erika]

sending hugs and well wishes for your baby

 

[McNewfie]

Thank you Erika!

 

[Connie w Tuck]

Keep us posted to how she is doing. I am so sorry to hear about this attack.
Connie

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Just read this. How terrifying for both you and your puppy. These people do not sound as if they are really taking this seriously at all. I do hope they'll move and let you get on with your lives, raising your dear Newfs in peace and safety. Hugs to all of you!

 

[ozzysma]

what a horrible scary thing to have happen!!! there is no excuse for the dogs to act this way, it was your property and how threatening can a little puppy be to 2 rottis. i would be very concerned when any dog attacks,these dogs need to be in a very secure yard or muzzled if not put down!

 

[kopork]

Actually adult dogs don't attack on puppies..It's a kind of dog rule.And if dogs are doing that,there is a problem more than any other attack.Puppies are puppies and adults know that.
A friend of mine has an adult rottie which doesn't like to puppies and she (my friend) asked about it to a trainer.Your neighbors should do the same.

 

[TinaM]

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I hope you put in a claim with the owners' (Landlord's) insurance carrier. They should be compensating you for your injuries, your dogs expenses and your pain and suffering. You need to put them on "notice" and ask them to either tender the claim or give you the information to do it yourself. Since you mentioned that you have children I would do everything possible to protect your own children and even their children from a future unprovoked attack. Good luck!