"emergency" dog question

Richard · Dec 8, 2006

Sister in law took the 4 dogs out for a walk and returned about 10 minutes ago.

Three dogs on leash and hers (Fanny) was running loose (untethered) with them.

Upon their return, HER dog had a bloody head. She (sis in law) said she heard Fanny running around "yelp" and she came back & never made another sound (which would be typical).

My guess is, Fanny ran into a barbed wire fence.

Bottom line, one of her ears looks like someone took some Sissors and cut it cleanly about 1 1/2" from the eartip straight down.

Fanny is either a German Shepard or a mix of one, so her ears stand up.

The bleeding seems to have stopped and Sis in law has cleaned most/all the blood from Fanny's face/head.

My question is, will this heal on its own or should I call the vet as an emergency?

I COULD get the dog to the vet tomorrow morning, perhaps that would be ok?

My way of thinking is, Fanny needs to have this cut stitched up. Again, it's not a cut like a scratch, it's a cut where her ear is literally split as though cut with a pair of sissors

Sis in law thinks a bit of peroxide on the ear and all will be fine.

Thoughts??

shvl73 · Dec 8, 2006

It should heal but, not back together. It will stay as a cut unless stitched back together.
Could your encouragement get her to take the dog to a vet? If not and you can take it tomorrow, better than not at all.
If it were mine, I'd have already had it treated.

Paddy · Dec 8, 2006

The question to ask is "do you want it to look like a show dog?" Because either answer is correct. A cut on the ear flap isn't going to kill it if properly cleaned. Will it look funny with out help....yes. If it was my dog and not showing it, I'd keep it clean and tell the story when ever anyone asked

I'd bet the vet would ask the same question. Jack Russles are dogs that are allowed to have these types of combat inguries in show. They are working dogs and get the short end of the stick some times.

Go with your sisters plan.

texasjohn · Dec 8, 2006

It will heal, with the use of peroxide, and look exactly like it does now. If you want it to be reconnected so it looks, kinda, like an ear again, then it needs to be sewed back together... and sooner is better than later, although tomorrow will likely be OK. If it were my dog, I'd keep it clean and let it be... adds character and allows a good story

But, then, my standard for going to the vet is when a very painful and/or life threatening problem arises. From your description, this is neither.

I don't put much credence in the barb wire theory unless there is a BRAND NEW high tensile barb wire fence in the immediate area where the dog yelped. From your description. I'd much more consider that the dog ran into a feline of some sort... claws can get hung and will make a cut in exactly the manner you describe when the dog seeks to pull away. If there are any other injuries on the head, which you did not indicate was the case, then, clearly some sort of contact with a live critter occured.

Richard · Dec 8, 2006

I called my vet, knowing he'd be gone for day. I left a message on machine so they'd have it first thing in morning. Seems those get forwarded to his home as he returned my call about 10 minutes later!!

He thought the ear should be stitched up. I myself also feel that way. Regardless, I told that to sis in law and I'm now under express directions to NOT take Fanny to "my" vet. Seems for what ever reasons, she doesn't like/trust him.

(hmm... I've never had any issues taking about 10 dogs and 3 cats to him so I have no idea where this came from)

She said she's going to "call around" and get several prices... (seems to me most vets won't really quote a price until they see said patient??)

So... my feeling is now "whatever"

Right now, I'm torn from simply doing it anyway and me paying for it if need be. I don't think it's fair to Fanny to let $75 verses $150 prevent her from being fixed. (I just made up the prices to try to make mypoint)

Will update later if/as there is an update. As it is now, Fanny might get fed soon, but will not get any more so if she's anethesized tomorrow, she'll have an empty stomach.

shvl73 · Dec 8, 2006

Richard said:
I called my vet, knowing he'd be gone for day. I left a message on machine so they'd have it first thing in morning. Seems those get forwarded to his home as he returned my call about 10 minutes later!!

The vets we use always have one or the other on call, in case they might have an emergency barn call. Thats one advantage of using a vet that treats both large and small animals.

jfh28 · Dec 8, 2006

We had a dog that got his ear sliced. Blood all over the place. Right before superbowl kickoff. Took him to emerg vet and they said ears are tough to heal on their own. It's very easy for the wound to keep opening back up. Stitching it together is the only way for it to heal properly. And either way the dog is done for the ring. The scar will show up as a fault.

My advise is to ignore the sil and get the dog taken care of properly now. Even if it comes out of your pocket. Tell her it's an early Christmas present.

Jack

Dargo · Dec 8, 2006

Richard said:
Right now, I'm torn from simply doing it anyway and me paying for it if need be. I don't think it's fair to Fanny to let $75 verses $150 prevent her from being fixed. (I just made up the prices to try to make mypoint)

That's a tough one. Where I live, there is a vet clinic about 40 minutes away that is about half the price of other places. However, they do not ever take appointments and they are always crammed full. Also, the very last time I went there I felt that they did not at all take the time and effort to properly care for my dog. Now I take my two dogs to a vet that is about 2 minutes from me. Yes, he is about twice the price as the place 40 minutes away, but he makes appointments, he takes his time to thoroughly check out my dogs, he seems to genuinely care about my dogs and, in an emergency, he does everything possible to drop everything and see my pet right away.

Call me a fool if you will, but you can guess where I take my dogs.

I can be as tough as nails, but when one of my kids are sick or hurt, and even when one of my dogs are sick or hurt, I get them the best care I can. Shh, don't tell though. I don't want everyone to know I'm actually an old softie.

Get your pal's ear fixed. You won't regret it.

N80 · Dec 8, 2006

I'd keep it clean and leave it alone. People used to notch pack dogs ears and they heal just fine. Do not overclean. Let a scab form and stay in place. And understand that any pangs you may feel about the dog's feelings are probably misplaced. The dog will have less pain, fear and trauma if you leave it alone.

If you must have the ear fixed, do it now. I would not close such a wound after 24 hours.

If you decide to leave it, watch for signs of infection like swelling, warmth, pus and redness (if you can see skin through the hair).