My dog was thrown against a tree today (the person who did it was caught, police have him). He took the blow well but it was a hard hit. He was checked by out E-Vet for broken bones, sprains, internal damage and he's fine in that area. However he's a bit bruised up and is understandably a bit sore. The E-vet said just let him heal on his own accord but this vet is very "if they're not dying then they're just whining about nothing" sort of person.

He's not in extreme pain, behaving pretty normally, there's pretty much no swelling at this point, however it's a bit tender to the touch and he's not laying on that shoulder. He's on a pile of my super soft pillows eating what would have been my steak dinner (he was helping me when he got hit...so he's getting spoiled rotten) with free access to water. Is ice appropriate? Or heat? Or should I listen to the vet and let him ride it out?

Jamie, I think that ice packs or frozen packages of peas won't not hurt and may help with the inflamation, but I'm sure the more knowledgable will chime in. Poor baby! What brought this on???

I tried looking up the "human" treatments but the results seemed torn on ice or heat, I'll try the peas though, I keep a bag in my freezer for just those purposes (I haven't eaten peas in years...but they make great ice packs XD). I just want something to make him more comfortable (though maybe I shouldn't be to concerned...all I see of him right now is two pointy ears sticking out of a mound of my best pillows lol)

I had some crazy idiot try to drag me behind a building in broad daylight today in front of (totally useless) witnesses that just stood there and stared (WTF!?), Ryuk didn't like that very much. I will never know why people like that go for the person with a dog, I mean...Ryuk's not protection trained (though this is not the first time he's stepped up to an attacker) but they don't know that...why not go for someone with a purse (or something worth stealing) and no dog? Guy got what he deserved though. Bite on the forearm, then two black eyes and something wrong with his knee when he hit my dog on a tree....plus arrested....

JAMIE... Are YOU okay? This does not sound like something which is just "no big deal for me, lemme think about my dog"... Do YOU need a few packages of frozen peas???

I'm fine, I suspect the man was HEAVILY under the influence of something. He caught me by surprise, but I'm fine. I live in a college town, drunken idiot behavior is not new (just usually not broad daylight on a Monday with a street full of useless witnesses).

Yikes... I'm very glad you are okay. At least you know the rare, useless flop beast will do his best to protect, and that is a good thing! Your post and the other one tonight about a gal getting threatened by a nut job makes me very glad to live out in the boonies a little bit... Although that presents its own set of nut job issues...

I have given an asprin to my dog.

Grrr, to vet's that don't give some type of pain med!!

And give that big, brave lug a huge (gentle) hug for me. What an awesome dog!!
And a hug to you for your experience, too.
Wow.

I'm glad you both seem to have come thru this relatively unscathed.

You may want to look into something called Traumeel. It comes in a number of forms...my dog's chiro recommended it for anytime she got banged up (she had no sense of self-preservation whatsoever).

I got it in liquid form for her...it is an anti-inflammatory/analgesic. "For temp relief of mild to moderate pain associated with inflammation...muscular pain, arthritic pain, inflammation, sports injuries, bruising." So, if you were to get the liquid (easiest way to administer to a dog), you just shake a few drops into his/her mouth.

I've seen it at Whole Foods...I'd guess you could find it locally with some research...

good luck, and what a great dog!

leih

Oh, Jamie. So sorry your boy was hurt. Best wishes for his speedy, painless as possible recovery. Yours, too! I'm glad you and Ryuk were able to defend yourselves, and really glad the guy was arrested.

Edited by Meredith Hamilton (05/11/2010 06:19 AM)
Edit reason: eta