Will my dog ever be the same?

starbuck8 · May 8, 2008, 01:27 PM

My little fur babe Niki was attacked on the wkd by an Akita at a friends home. She is an Eskie/Yellow Lab cross that I rescued from the SPCA, 1 day before she was going to be put to sleep. She is the most beautiful, smart, loving dog that I could've ever asked for! I got her after I lost my 2 other fur babies that I basically lost in a custody fight, and I love her and will do anything in my power to protect her.

After the attack, I called the emerg vet and she was rushed into emerg surgery for multiple wounds. She had to have 86 stitches.

My problem now is, she is not the same dog that I had before the attack! I know she is still in physical pain, but now she is not eating right, not drinking enough water, not wanting to play...even for a few minutes. She won't pick up her fave toys, she won't come when she's called,...I could go on...but she just looks so sad and scared! She is just not the same dog I had for all of this time. I feel so horrible and hurt for her!

Does anyone have any suggestions on ANYTHING I can do to make her regain some trust, and not jump at every little sound she hears, or every movement she senses?

I know there is probably no magic cure, but I don't know how to deal with the phychological issues that she now has!

ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

starbuck8 · May 18, 2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

starbuck:

Think about what you would do under the same situation. I'm sure you wouldn't be playing with toys.

Looks like Niki is getting better. Take him/her for car rides and make sure the dog stays hydrated.

I know, I know!!

Keep it simple stupid!! LOL!! She has just been through so much in the last yr. that I play the mommy role and get worried!! I try not to pass that on to her, but I can't help it sometimes I guess!! Not good for her, I know!!

LOL!!

starbuck8 · May 18, 2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushg

star Glad to hear she is playing. She may have a UTI, but it is probably possible that she could have dreamt of the attack and peed in her sleep.
I'm not sure what the purpose of dew clasw are. My dogs have them and they have never caused a problem. Btw One of my dogs is named Nika...that was her name when I adopted her, so as not to cause futher stress in their lives I always keep their old names.

I didn't name Niki either! That was her name when I brought her home. I did start calling her Nikia when I first got her, and then it just went back to Niki. (or Nicky, as it was) She answers more to "Bubba" now!! LOL!!

froggy7 · May 18, 2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbuck8

Thanks Froggy!! I got in the middle of writing you back, and got unexpected company.

I do try very hard not to baby her! That's why I usually end up coming on here to do my moaning and groaning when I'm upset, and she's relaxing, or sleeping. I realize that my feelings can transfer to her, so I really try not to do that, but sometimes it's hard when I know she's in pain.

I know where you are coming from. And it will get better with time. You've been through a different traumatic experience, but it still affects you. But the feelings will dull down with time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbuck8

I will ask the vet this also, but in your opinion, are the dew claws really useful to them? I don't see the use, or why they need to keep them. I have had dogs since I was very young, and never had any probs with any of them and their dew claws until now. (well, a doberman I once had, they were removed, but that was so long ago I can't remember why)

Dew claws are much like the appendix. If they don't cause any problems, there's no need to remove them. If they cause trouble, there is no reason to keep them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by starbuck8

I'm not so worried about her physical injuries, because I know that no matter what, I can take care of those, if I can see it physically. I just want to help her with any of the other pain and stuff that she can't tell me about!

How is Trink doing with her neck problems?? Have you been able to get her to walk through the wood chips on her way to the park??

It would be so much easier if they could just tell us what's wrong, wouldn't it?

And I have been spending the last week house-hunting, and this weekend the temperature shot up to something I can only call oven-hot. So we've been laying low for the last week. Next week I'm going to give it a try.

starbuck8 · May 19, 2008, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggy7

I know where you are coming from. And it will get better with time. You've been through a different traumatic experience, but it still affects you. But the feelings will dull down with time.

Dew claws are much like the appendix. If they don't cause any problems, there's no need to remove them. If they cause trouble, there is no reason to keep them.

It would be so much easier if they could just tell us what's wrong, wouldn't it?

And I have been spending the last week house-hunting, and this weekend the temperature shot up to something I can only call oven-hot. So we've been laying low for the last week. Next week I'm going to give it a try.

Ahhh yes!! The temperature!! This weather is absolutely crazy! It was snowing and miserable two weeks ago, and now today my thermostat in my house read 93 degrees, and I don't have my AC's (window ones) installed for the summer again yet. Yikes!! From one extreme to the other hey? I was complaining about the cold temps, and now it will be the opposite!! Oh well, what do ya do eh?

Thanks for the advice! The comparison to the appendix was my exact thought, so thankyou so much! I thought...well, they were probably put there for a reason, but if you don't have them it wouldn't be a big deal. Yes!, it would be so much easier if they could just tell us where it hurts!

I'm sure she will be just fine in time. I just needed a little reasurance I guess. I hate to see her hurting. Thanks again!!...and good luck home hunting!!



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