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Dog Attack

jazz_fanatic

jazz_fanatic

Well-Known Member
So I need some help/advice. My dog got attacked a couple days ago. He has severe deep wounds on his chest, neck, and on the top of his head. We brought him to the vet and they gave him some antibiotics and pain killers. He'll get up and walk for maybe 20 seconds and just collapses. He refuses to eat and has a hard time drinking. I need to get those pills in him, but I don't know how. I've had him for 13 years and I've never seen him like this and it's killing me. He's old and they think it's making it hard for him to heal and worsening other conditions. :( Any advice on getting him to eat/drink would be great.
 
Sorry to hear that, Ann.

Whoever the dog is most close to, should sit down next to the dog, talk softly, pet softly, make him as comfortable as possible. If he has a toy he likes or anything else that make him happy, bring it near. You're basically just making him calm and reminding him of good days. Stay at it and he should eventually eat/drink .. with obviously the drinking coming first.

I had to do this when my dog was hit by a car and it took my two days of doing this for her to finally begin drinking again.
 
He wont eat anything? Like human food, chicken, steak, bread, anything? Thats how I trick my dog into it, I shove it in something he would normally never be allowed to eat, he goes after it so fast that he almost chokes himself. That being said if he is 13 it might be time to say goodbye, as harsh as that sounds. Sorry you have to deal with this I love my dog.
 
For starters, have you tried giving him wet food? Or something that's particularly appetizing? Something warm, even, that has a strong scent?

If he simply won't eat willingly, you may have to force liquified food down by way of holding the head steady and squirting it down their throat with a syringe. You could conceivably crush the pills and administer them in this way as well, though you could also open their jaws and throw the pill(s) down their throat.

It's all a big pain in the ***. That sucks. Hope things work out.
 
As Kennykyle wrote, try putting the meds in something like bread or cheese. That's how I have always been able to get my dogs to take pills, even when they aren't taking anything. Talk to your vet and see if they have any ideas.

What kind of dog do you have?
 
PKM: Yeah, we tried. I sat with him for hours trying to get him to eat/drink last night and he just looks completely out of it. Doesn't want any company.

Kennykyle: No, nothing. He's thirsty. He keeps putting his head really close to the water, but I think it's painful for him to drink 'cause he'll try and just lay back down. I got off the phone with the vet this morning and he brought up that we might have to put him down and I started bawling. Then I read your post and started bawling again. I'm not gonna open this thread 'til I get off work tonight.

Numberica: Yes, I tried everything the doctor suggested and he won't eat. I bought a syringe and tried to get liquids into his mouth, but he won't swallow...
 
jazz_fanatic said:
PKM: Yeah, we tried. I sat with him for hours trying to get him to eat/drink last night and he just looks completely out of it. Doesn't want any company.

Kennykyle: No, nothing. He's thirsty. He keeps putting his head really close to the water, but I think it's painful for him to drink 'cause he'll try and just lay back down. I got off the phone with the vet this morning and he brought up that we might have to put him down and I started bawling. Then I read your post and started bawling again. I'm not gonna open this thread 'til I get off work tonight.

Numberica: Yes, I tried everything the doctor suggested and he won't eat. I bought a syringe and tried to get liquids into his mouth, but he won't swallow...
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Sorry I shouldn't have said that, its your dog and your decision. I really hope everything works out.
 
This is seriously breaking my heart.

Dogs are proud. Losing a fight is hard not just physically but mentally. I'm not saying anything along the lines of dogs are as smart as people or anything, but anyone who's ever seen a dog trip over something and go from happy/energetic to putting it's head down and quietly walking away knows what I'm talking about. Male lions lose their mane if they lose a fight to a lower ranking lion. I don't know how to boost a dog's ego, but if he feels a little better about himself he might start eating again.
 
Gameface said:
This is seriously breaking my heart.

Dogs are proud. Losing a fight is hard not just physically but mentally. I'm not saying anything along the lines of dogs are as smart as people or anything, but anyone who's ever seen a dog trip over something and go from happy/energetic to putting it's head down and quietly walking away knows what I'm talking about. Male lions lose their mane if they lose a fight to a lower ranking lion. I don't know how to boost a dog's ego, but if he feels a little better about himself he might start eating again.
Click to expand...

This is kind of what I was saying. Trying to get his mind off of the now ..
 
jazz_fanatic said:
PKM: Yeah, we tried. I sat with him for hours trying to get him to eat/drink last night and he just looks completely out of it. Doesn't want any company.

Kennykyle: No, nothing. He's thirsty. He keeps putting his head really close to the water, but I think it's painful for him to drink 'cause he'll try and just lay back down. I got off the phone with the vet this morning and he brought up that we might have to put him down and I started bawling. Then I read your post and started bawling again. I'm not gonna open this thread 'til I get off work tonight.

Numberica: Yes, I tried everything the doctor suggested and he won't eat. I bought a syringe and tried to get liquids into his mouth, but he won't swallow...
Click to expand...

You damn near made me start crying.... im really sorry for you and hope everything works out for the best
 
fishonjazz said:
You damn near made me start crying.... im really sorry for you and hope everything works out for the best
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You did better than me. I did start crying. To be expected though, I'm a cry baby.
 
Feel for ya. I've had my dog for 5 years, and he's not just my best buddy but a member of my family, can't imagine what your going through. As a dog owner that's sad to hear.
 
j_f, it seems it's worse than I thought before considering his age, but still I wouldn't give up early. Whatever his age be, don't think that he gave up and/or his organism doesn't try to recover. I know he might be in pain but most of the time in this kind of situations, there is this threshold they have to surpass, once he does it, he'll liven up.

Some great advice you got here, especially about supporting his morale condition. Though, thinking it'd be better him to take his pills, drink and feed a bit asap, seeking more help from vet would be my priority, I'd see a different vet too if necessary.

I hope he'll be better soon.
 
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Thanks, everyone. I've had this dog for more than half my life, and he's always been very energetic and full of life. I feel so helpless watching him in so much pain. I did get him to drink some water mixed with his antibiotics and pain killers, but not very much. I put the liquid in a squeeze bottle and finally got him to start swallowing a little bit. I'll try to get some food in him tomorrow. There's still a little bit of blood coming from his neck and he's unable to move his head. I'll have to call the doc tomorrow...for the 50th time. I'm so depressed about this. I feel like he's my child or something! :(
 
Whenever I've had to give my labs pills, I pry their jaws open, throw the pill as far down their throat as possible, and forcibly keep their mouth shut until they've swallowed. It has literally taken five minutes with the chocolate one. The golden one will swallow anything I throw at his mouth, so it's not an issue for that retard.
 
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