Hello guys, I need to pick your brains about something.

I had a horrendous weekend my 10 week old working cocker pup was very badly bitten, and has ended up having emergency surgery. Her stomach completely herniated through a hole in her muscle side, she ruptured her diaphragm and has 2 broken ribs as well as numerous holes in her (poor love). She made it through the 2 hour surgery and made it through the night, but IF she recovers I'm at a loss as to how to introduce her to other dogs again. She lives with my 2 working labs and has met friends dogs etc and been fine - luckily she's made of stern stuff, she is as fit as she possibly can be for her age. 
I'm just afraid that she'll completely freak out when she comes up against a dog she hasn't met before.
Do I do the whole 'jolly hockey sticks' thing (only with rock steady dogs that she already knows) or play it really safe. This has all happened at such a crucial time in her socialisation, she's been out and about for nearly 4 weeks now meeting and greeting people, but I've never been in this position before (thank goodness) and I'm not sure how to go about it.

Any help GREATLY appreciated. (I'm off to see her this afternoon, I've already been told by the vet nurses that she looks REALLY bad, a bit like Frankensteins puppy, and there's still a good chance that she won't make it, but I have to keep positive and think of the future!)

Cheers chaps

Ali :(

How horrendous for you! I do hope she makes a full recovery, both physically and mentally. Dare I ask - bitten by what?

Hi,
gosh that was a quick response!

She was bitten by a GSD.  Thankfully he only got one really good shake in or she would have been a definite goner.  I have to admit, I thought I would lose her in the car going to the vets, her gums were white and she was in deep deep shock, but thankfully she'd coloured up a bit when I got there.
The shephard is normally a really lovely boy, quite high drive, but on this occasion I think that he thought she was a squeaky toy. Another dog was running over to say hello and he wanted to get there first. Tizzy squeaked and he picked her up and shook her.  Horrible experience, but working with high drive animals is always a risk. I'm trying to remain optimistic which is unusual for me - I'm sure when I see her later, I'll probably crumble. Thank god for emergency vets and dog insurance!

Ali :(

Oh Ali, how absolutely dreadful :(

I do hope she recovers well, what were the circumstances of her being attacked? It might possibly have some bearing on how you approach things in the near future. I take it the dog was a stranger to her?

I would agree with your first thought, perhaps find some friends with rock steady dogs, and I would have your pup off her lead so she can if necessary get away (so maybe best to use a large garden or area where she will be safe). Depending on how you feel and what your instincts tell you, keep the other dog on the lead to start and see how things go. /Don't let the other dog chase her or be pushy at all. If your pup seems very frightened, i would suggest at this crucial stage it's not a bad idea to contact an experienced trainer or behaviourist who can help with mentally preparing her to face other dogs. I personally would not force any contact and take the other dog away for the moment.

If she seems OK, try it with more under control dogs, and also i would feed her and play with her: anything to get her feeling happy near other dogs and associating them with fun and not fear.

I know we met at the working trials workshop, but seem to remember you arenot close to that area, as Pauline would be a good choice of help for you :)

Lindsay
x

Hi Ali,
I'm afraid i don't have any advice for you as, thankfully, i've never been in that position, but just wanted to send lots of love and luck your way at this worrying and stressful time it must be very hard for you and your family. Hope everything turns out ok and your baby makes a a good and speedy recovery :)

I just want to wish you all the luck in the world, I've a 13 week old puppy at the moment and feel upset just thinking about what you must be going through. I hope your pup makes a full and fast recovery.

Hi what a horrible experience I have a 14 week old pup and would be devestated if this happened to my pup no real advice just go with what is compfortable for you and your dog when the time comes,hope all goes well and yes thank goodness for emergency vets and insurance,good luck hope it all turns out alright.

Hello all,

Just a quick update.  I've just got back from seeing Tizzy. Wow, what a mess.

She has stitches going from the middle of her back all the way around her tummy, as well as a stitched-up hole with a rubber drain in it. Obviously still on very strong meds, but even tried to wag her tail when she saw us.

The vet nurse said that there had been lots of different sized dogs passing through their kennels this morning, and Tizzy seemed quite intent on trying to say hello to them, so hopefully this is a good sign!

That said, she is no-where near being out of the woods yet. On the outside she looks very battered but thats nothing compared to what her insides must be like. Its still very touch and go and we could still lose her.

She is not eating anything yet but has been offered Lectade (sp) to help with the rehydration as well as being on her drip, so it looks like she will be staying in the vets for a good few days yet.

Thanks for all your kind words, it is when something like this happens, that you appreciate the friends you make on Champdogs.

I'll keep you informed.

Ali :)

Hi,
I would be heart broken, poor little girl! When she's at home with you
and having loads of love, in time I guess, she will make friends with
dogs in her own time. If it was us it would take a little time
to get over with somethink like that wouldn't it.
Keep strong and your chin up!!!
We will all be thinking of you.
Regards
Denese

Thanks for letting us know Ali.

If she is trying to say hello to other dogs, it shows she is a fighter with a great temperament.

I bet the nurses are spoiling her rotten, although nothing like she will be when you get her home :)

Everything crossed here

Sandra

Hi, sorry you're going through such an awful time - it's heart-breaking, isn't it.  Something similar happened to a puppy of mine, I wish I knew then the things I have learned since.

What has been said so far about rock-steady dogs and doing it at the puppy's pace would be my advice too but I would add that the full effects of her fright may or may not become evident straight away - they may take time to emerge.  From experience I would also endorse what was mentioned about the circumstances - for example, seeing dogs go by her cage at the vets may not be a comparable experience to seeing dogs outside, in her mind.  (Sorry, not explaining very well there.) Seeing a strange dog outside (or wherever the incident happened) may cause a more fearful reaction. It may take time for you to fully work out exactly what your puppy is left feeling afraid of.  Dogs of the same breed are likely to be especially worrying for her.

It is good that you have your own dogs, at least she will not be isolated from all other canines whilst you work through this.

Don't underestimate the effect on you- you need to look after yourself while you get through the shock too.

Best wishes.

Glad to hear you have been to see your pup,it must be horrible to see the pup in that state,hope she (is it a she) apologies if not makes a full and quick recovery thanks for letting us know how she is doing GOOD LUCK !!!!!

Hi Ali
So sorry to hear about Tizzy's horrendous experience.  I can't offer any advice, but wish her a speedy recovery.
Jenny :)

What an awful incident and I want to send you my best wishes and hope that she makes a speedy recovery.
Keep us updated with her progress.
All the best
Sarah

What an awful experience. I can only offer experience of an older puppy being attacked (she was 10 months old) Once she had recovered I took her to a friend who owned/bred the same type of dog who attacked her and let them meet in a friendly, non-confrontational manner. My puppy seemed to realise that this one wasn't the one that had attacked her and has been fine with the breed ever since. She is now 7 years old. Just take it slowly and carefully at first. Be guided by your puppy, but don't molly-coddle her. She may think it's ok to be frightened if she gets the wrong vibes from you. Hope I made myself clear, it's not easy to put things in writing ;)

I have a wonderful working cocker and can't imagine what you must be going through.  I would be distraught.  The good thing about working cockers though is that they really are quite robust dogs.  Jack had a few run-ins when he was a pup and kept coming back for more.  I have to say though these were just the "learn your manners pup" type run-ins and nothing like this.  I hope Tizzy gets better soon.  I just love working cockers.

Annie

PS:  Can't offer any advice but just wanted to give you support.

Oh dear :(

I hope ickle Tizzy makes a full and quick recovery :)

Lucy
xx

Hello all,

I just thought that I'd let you know Tizzy came home last night!

All the vets and nurses have been gobsmacked as to how well and how quickly she's come through it.  Most of them thought that she was a goner :(. But she proved them all wrong, she came home, and the first thing she did was try to bounce all over my other dogs, complete with elizabethan collar on.  Needless to say, we quietened the whole situation down very quickly, but I'm just so glad she's ok with our other dogs. (Kester my big male lab is absolutely TERRIFIED of the elizabethan collar! 

She still looks horrendous, but at least her spirit is still the same, or looks like it may be.
Her drain is coming out tomorrow, I had to make the appt for lunchtime, as the morning and the afternoon nurses all want to see her! (I always thought that spaniel eyes were cute!)

Anyway guys, thanks for the support, it really means a lot in the darkest of moments - I'll keep you up to date with her progress.

Thanks again

Ali :)

Glad to hear she's doing so well.

So pleased for you, onwards and upwards now.

So very pleased that she's going to be ok, hope gets over the trauma without too much after effects :)

I am soooo happy for you and your little girl.  I did say working cockers were robust and she sure is typical of the breed.  Great news.  Wish you both all the best.

Annie

Glad to hear little Tizzy is doing well and is now home. She's obviously a little fighter.
Let us know how she gets on.

Best Wishes xxx

Thank goodness for that, everything seems to point to the positive so far ... am very pleased for you :)

You must keep us updated on progress Ali!

Best wishes
Lindsay
x

I'm so pleased for you. Hope everything works out fine for you. :)

Great news hope she keeps well and keeps her positive spirit.Good luck to you all.

So glad she is on the mend :)

She sounds altough she is going to be fine and will have a certain spirit that will make her a special dog ;)

Lucy
xx

Hi just wanted to let you know, my friends pup had a similar thing happen when he was 8 weeks old. Again they thought he was a gonna. He was grabbed and shaken by a EBT although it was the pups owners fault really, he was too young to be allowed to go running up off lead to any dog in the park and he did jump on the EBT's head! Anyway, he was rushed to the vet and had emergency surgery and was really touch and go for ages. When he was better they were really worried about reintroducing him to other dogs but it turned out that he wasn't phased at all. I think when something like that happens and they are almost unconsious they don't seem to remember what happened and carry on as per usual. Personally I would pretend like it never happened until she reacts in a frightened way or you could inadvertantly convince her there is actually something to worry about. Her breed should help, they are such nice natured, forgiving dogs anyway.

Give her a gentle cuddle for me, hope she is feeling better soon. :-)

So sorry to hear your news.  I also have a small puppy 12 weeks old. I too fear this happening . We wish you all the best. You seem to be a fantastic person and I am sure Tizzy will be given all the support and guidence needed from you, all with lots of love!! Tams x