Need suggestions in advance

[DeVon]

We had to make an emergency vet trip yesterday. Amber had just fed everyone and let Lori Ann and Toby out to do their business, and as usual, Lori Ann did her 90 mph sprint across the yard to the back porch when she was done. She smacked against Amber's leg when she came in and caught underneath her left eye against the corner of a shelf just off to the side of the back window and gashed herself from one end to the other under that eye. That's the first time I've panicked in a long time, it was bleeding profusely and Amber was holding paper towels against the wound while I was calling the vet and throwing clothes on.

The sutures have to stay in 10-14 days, and I KNOW once that starts to heal, it is going to itch. I will keep her separated from the other dogs when I am gone so they don't lick it(Pikachu and Skittle are always crated when I'm gone anyway). My biggest fear is she's going to start rubbing her face on things when I'm gone to work, and I don't want her to reinjure that. Her skin is so thin anyway. It hurts me just to look at the eye. Any ideas?

[k9Karen]

Poor baby - that eye does look like it hurts! Will an e-collar, or something similar, work with her or is there someone who could stay at the house while you're at work and watch her?

[DeVon]

Poor baby - that eye does look like it hurts! Will an e-collar, or something similar, work with her or is there someone who could stay at the house while you're at work and watch her?

We tried doing the e-collar thing back when she had the tail injury from hell and she absolutely panicked with that thing on. She would get so worked up that she was panting. We switched over to one of the big stiff foam collars that stood straight out from her neck, but she would still be able to rub her face on the bed, dresser or whatever with that on.

Everyone that I know also works during the day, unfortunately, so someone watching her is out. I'm thinking if I shut her in the bathroom, at least there's nothing 'abrasive' I can think of that she would rub on except the vanity. There's the tub, toilet, and slick linoleum floor. Her skin is just so thin I'm afraid rubbing against the carpet or bedding will tear it out along the sutures again. What a worry!!!!!!

I am so grateful she didn't put her eye out. Not much higher with that shelf and she would have. That shelf has been torn down!

[jdf]

That's a sad looking pup, DeVon. My first thought was a foam collar with some foam added to go up around the wound but I don't know quite how that would work. When Roxy had the hematomas, it was a constant re-bandaging routine cause she would rub her head against her bed. I doubt if anything would have kept Roxer from rubbing away at the bandages.

Our cat Ringo is in the same boat right... he got out and tangled with a feral (for real) tomcat. The result - he almost lost an eye..

Six stitches:


The stitches come out on Monday so we've had good luck. Ringo started scratching his stitches two days after he was sewn up and I grabbed his back leg and told him "no". He immediately did it again and I repeated my reprimand - believe it or not, he hasn't tried scratching the stitches since then. I'm able to keep a close eye on him which really helps.

Hope you have good luck with Lori Ann - wish I had a solution for you...J

[Traci]

You can ask your vet for a topical antibiotic (or even mild opthalmic) to soothe the area that won't make it itch so much. Otherwise, about the only thing you can do is use an e-collar. I'd be concerned about locking her in the bathroom while you are away, you never know when she might get rambunctious or find some new energy and tear up your bathroom. (or herself)

[Nancy (Spuddie' s Mum)]

That poor baby, honestly, I'd baby sit him during the day for you, too bad we don't live close. I'd go with the "cone" collar too if you have to. It's better than him breaking open the stiches.

[urge to herd]

Poor Lori Ann! The only thing I can think of is some mild tranquilizer to take the edge off her uneasiness, (maybe the vet has something that would be just kind of relaxing, you know, like the first beer after a loooong day;) in addition to some topical preparation that might help with the itchies. I'd baby sit her too if I were closer.
Is there a friend's house she could stay at during the day, until Amber gets home from school?

Hope she heals fast,

Ruth

[E's]

Ruth wrote:

Poor Lori Ann! The only thing I can think of is some mild tranquilizer to take the edge off her uneasiness, (maybe the vet has something that would be just kind of relaxing, you know, like the first beer after a loooong day;) in addition to some topical preparation that might help with the itchies.

This brings to mind Benadryl (or its generic equivalent) both for the itchies and as a sleep inducer... According to my vet: one 25mg capsule for each 25 lbs of the dog's weight, every 12 hours as necessary. I have never needed to give the 2nd dose... Win relaxes, sleeps awhile and wakes up fine... but of course you will want to run this by your vet. Good luck, so sorry about the accident.
Dot B
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"If'n it puts its mind to it, a dog can be as much trouble as a set and a half of triplets."
Beauregard the Hound in Walt Kelly's POGO, circa 1960