Advice needed

rocki6 · 06-06-2009, 09:55 AM

I have my baby-ShiAnna, boxer-whom got bit in the leg by our naughty little blue heeler. She received puncture wounds-about 8 holes(small). This happened on Tuesday. It obviously bled quite a bit, I was not home but saw what was left behind. I have since been soaking in epsom salts for the swelling, and applying peroxide and an antibiotic for the infection at least 2x a day. The swelling is about 90% gone as of last night, there are absolutely no signs of infection i.e., weaping, hot "feverish" skin, no redness or discoloration of the skin, etc. Everything looks almost back to normal. Except-she does not want to walk on or put pressure on that leg. I have massaged it and bent/excercised it, and has never pulled away or acte like its painful in anyway. She was doing great last night walking pretty close to normal, not real "stiff", but after a night of sleep she didn't seem to want to get up this morning-nor could she move much at all. She is looking really stifflike-arthritic in her rear. Is it likely she is just stiff from not being as active as normal? or could there be infection in her tissue or bone?

dgridley · 06-06-2009, 10:01 AM

We used to have a dog that was a real drama queen.. the slightest wound, she would milk for all the attention she could get.. she'd be walking fine then when "Mommy" got home, she'd yelp and limp.. that's a possibility with your dog as well.

But it's also a possibility she's still sore from the bite despite not having an infection.

If it persists, I'd take her to a vet to be sure..

rocki6 · 06-06-2009, 10:50 AM

Too funny about the "drama queen". My daughter said last night "look mom, she's walking normal again." Then ShiAnna noticed we were talking about her and she started limping. I am just worried 'cause she had it pretty rough b-4 we got her on a rescue-so I am extremely sensitive when it comes to her. She is my baby. I don't want it to be more sever, and how do you really know if there aren't any visible signs of infection or heat in the wound area? Ugggggh I hate it when I don't know what to do.
Thank you much for the response, do you know any Over the Counter med to possible help her?

dgridley · 06-06-2009, 11:14 AM

Not offhand.. I'd just reassure her and baby her a little, try to get her to play. If she's faking, she may just forget about it.

A tooth may have bruised a bone tho and her muscles may be sore from the bite.. with no signs of infection tho, I wouldn't worry too much.

Just see a vet if it worries you too much.

rocki6 · 06-06-2009, 12:08 PM

Thank you much for the imput!!

**MrKhay** · 06-06-2009, 10:48 PM

My first thought was that the pooch might have some nerve damage. Then, after reading that the limp wasn't there when no one was looking, I figured it was an attention grab.

Maybe a walk or two around the block would help.

pk · 06-06-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Too funny about the "drama queen". My daughter said last night "look mom, she's walking normal again." Then ShiAnna noticed we were talking about her and she started limping. I am just worried 'cause she had it pretty rough b-4 we got her on a rescue-so I am extremely sensitive when it comes to her. She is my baby. I don't want it to be more sever, and how do you really know if there aren't any visible signs of infection or heat in the wound area? Ugggggh I hate it when I don't know what to do.
Thank you much for the response, do you know any Over the Counter med to possible help her?

We had a boxer we rescued that was being used for the puppies she produced. She was a mess when we first got her, skinny, skittish, had to be house trained even though she was almost middle aged etc.

I tell you, once she got totally used to being part of a family I noticed she turned into a drama queen of sorts too. She went into 'moods' where she would act all sad at times if she thought she would get extra attention. I think because dogs can sense that you become all worried and extra attention is forth coming when they act like this they do so just for the added attention. lol

As far as over the counter drugs, I would caution against this unless your vet says it is OK for her. Drugs we use for our height, weight, and body system can very easily affect a dog's system differently. You really should be very cautious giving a dog or any pet meds with out totally knowing if it is safe or not.

Good luck and please keep in touch and let us know how your dog is coming along.