Our poor lab was bit in the behind by another dog at the dog park. I wasn't there to see it, my boyfriend was there with him, and he said that it wasn't too bad when it happened. The other dog bit him on right where the tail meets, and our dog yelped and then just ran away and continued running around the rest of the day. I've checked him out, and I can't really see anything, but our lab won't stop licking the area. It looks as if there just might be a little inflamed bump. I know that the other dog had all of his shots, so at least we don't have to worry about that. Should I take him to the vet just to be sure, or is it probably just a little cut? I know that dogs will tend to lick at something that bothers them.

If the other dog broke the skin, make sure you keep the wound bathed and open to stop it getting infected. It may be just bruised, but check very thoroughly, and if in doubt visit the vet.
:)

Chelsea got bit about 3 weeks ago - it didn't look too bad till we got it home and could have a good look at it - it actually was quite a deep puncture. It wasn't done nastily - she was playing chase and the other dog didn't like that she could run faster and nipped at her - it backed off immediately when it caught her - surprised both of them! Just one of those things.

Anyway we did take her to the vets and they left it open and put her immediately on antibiotics, and said to keep the wound clean as punctures can get infected sooo easily.

I would keep the area clean even if you can't see anything, and would probably take him to the vets tomorrow for a checkup anyway just to be sure.

Wendy

He won't let me get too close to it, but I finally put a muzzle on him, and checked it out, and I really can't see anything. I think he got bit right near the anus (lovely), so it's kind of hard to tell because that area is pink anyway :o. Should I put a collar on him so he doesn't lick it, or is that just his way of keeping it clean?

For Chelsea's puncture we were told it was okay to allow her to lick it occasionally (as it was open and weepy so it was her way of cleaning it), but we stopped her after a few licks here and there. I took her to work with me for a week and a half as well until it was closed enough to not be weepy.

If he's really licking at it that would seem to me that there IS something going on there that does need to be checked out. My dogs tend to only lick at open areas, not at bruised ones:( Are you able to keep him away from it most of the time? If so then I wouldn't put a collar on, but if you think he's going to continue all night (if he doesn't sleep where you can tell him off) then it might not be a bad idea if you've got one.

I think if he were mine I'd take him tomorrow to the vets just to be on the safe side. They may be able to spot something you can't. And it seems he is telling you something by continuing to lick it. Keep us posted. I know how it feels!

Wendy

Thanks so much for the advice, Wendy. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to see how he's doing. I'm home for the next couple days, so I can keep an eye on him. He wasn't licking it at all yesterday, which makes me think that he may just be bored today -- he's licking the area a lot, but not compulsively. Also, I don't think that he can quite reach the area, so most of the time he is trying to lick, but not reaching the spot.

you're very welcome. Let us know how he does, and give him lots of cuddles.

WEndy

My bitch got an infected bite wound from rough horseplay with a larger dog.

It got quite hot and icky, and she ended up with an antibiotic shot and Fuciderm ointment, that sorted it out within days. She actually wnet to a show the following weekend and won. It looked like she had lost a lot of hair from the area, but after the ointment and ABs the swlling went down and there was only a little piece of furless skin.

The fuciderm ointment does affect the coat colour though, and the surrounding hair will get a little pink until it grows out. I think this would only apply in a Yellow Lqabs case.

How did you know when the wound was infected? I want to make sure that this doesn't happen, but I'm not quite sure what to look for.

Normally an infected wound will feel hot and there will be swelling, also any oozing may smell bad.

Thanks for the advice everyone -- took him to the vet today and although the vet couldn't see anything, he gave him some anti-biotics and anti-inflamatory just in case.

I know it's a bit costly but always better to err on the side of caution. I'm glad he seems okay:)

Wendy