Henry got bitten :(

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

We were out playing yesterday and met a little Norfolk terrier 3 year-old plus 6 month-old pup. They were all getting on okay until Henry approached the older one, who I'd given my ball to, to play with. The dog then suddenly snapped at Henry and he ran off squealing at the top of his voice. I tried to play it down, and didn't make a big fuss of Henry (don't want him to be a mummy's boy who's scared of everyone). Anyway, I noticed a few bits of his hair missing on his nose but thought he was okay.

In the evening I took him on a little journey across London for a drink with some friends (very well behaved in pubs - just sleeps and gets cooed over!) and noticed a little bald patch on his nose where the dog's tooth had obviously got him. No big deal, hair grows back. But then later on I noticed that his nose and right lip (below his nose) was a bit swollen.

Anyway, this morning he slept through until 7.15 (we did go to bed at 1.15 but this is still a great lie in for him!) and his nose is now weeping and oozing pus and blood and his lip is even more swollen. Will mop up with salt water and take him to vet later. I'm really annoyed (and obviously worried about my baby).

I was wondering - if I see the dog owner again (it was a young woman looking after parents dogs), should I mention it? It's going to cost me a bit to take him to the vet, not to mention the pain for poor Henry.

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

Well, mopping up and cleaning the wound is easier said than done as he's clearly in pain and sensitive where the skin is broken. Will call the vet when they open 

[Bluebell]

Sadly, I think it was your ball that caused the trouble. Dogs being dogs, alot of them don't do sharing, and many adult dogs are only tolerant of pups to a degree.
Poor little lad   I am sure he will soon be on the mend after a visit to the vet and some TLC

[RegalRustyCharm]

poor little Henry, what a scary thing to happen. I'm sure he'll be good as new in no time but it's still not pleasant to see. 

[Peony]

Ouch, poor little guy. Hope the vet can sort him out and that he'll be feeling better soon.

[Jonnydog]

Poor Henry. Give him a cuddle from us.

[debbiedaywalker]

Poor little man, lots of gentle hugs Henry 

[elaine.e]

Poor little Henry

I agree with Bluebell that the cause of the problem was almost certainly the ball. Lots of dogs don't share (it's not a concept they understand). If Henry was a little older and more familiar with adult dogs and their body language he might not have approached the terrier. If the terrier didn't have the ball he might not have nipped Henry. It's really unfortunate that poor Henry's nose and lip, such sensitive areas, have been injured, but I think it's one of those incidents you have to put down to experience.

I think if it was me I'd mention it (calmly) to the person with the terriers so that she knew that her adult dog had actually bitten and wounded Henry. These things happen so quickly and are very often just a few seconds of noise and scuffle without biting. So I'd like her to be fully aware so that she could think about if she needs to act differently if her adult dog is in a similar situation again with puppies and toys around, but I don't think I'd expect her to pay the vet bill. By the sound of it her dog didn't make a real serious attack on Henry but was just telling him to go away and, like many dogs, that involved a snap as well as a snarl.

I'm not condoning it or trying to play it down (and I really understand how upset you are to see Henry in pain) but it was a fairly normal incident in terms of dog behaviour.

I hope Henry feels a lot better after his trip to the vet

[Patp]

Sorry to hear about Henry. 

When Jinley was small she thought that she could bound up to any dog and expect it to play / share biscuits etc and one day a terrier type snapped at her.  Thankfully there was no contact although their was much yelping - out of fright more than anything.

TBH it did us both a favour.  From then, she will stop when she sees another dog and either wait for me to catch up or approach with caution if I say "go and say hello" if I recognise the dog as friendly.

Pat

[Jane57]

Poor Henry, such a young pup too, let us know how he goes at the vet.

[LurcherGirl]

Sorry to hear about the incident. But I do agree with the others; it was most likely the ball! My rule is - and it's what I tell owners in my classes - to never play with any toys with my dogs when other dogs are around. Because mine could guard them or other dogs getting hold of them could guard them... It's a receipe for disaster.

I would probably tell her that her dog actually caught yours and it needed vet treatment, but I wouldn't say it in a way of blaming her. More like informing her so she can be a bit more careful and not let her dog have toys around other dogs (though of course in this case you actually gave it to him...).

I hope that all heals quickly though.

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

He's just been having a massive play session with an 11 week-old cavapoo (miniature poodle cavalier cross - funny little thing!) in the dog exercise area - so he's definitely okay! Lip's stopped oozing after I put salt water on it. Vets at 4.30 to get antibiotics, just in case.

The ball thing is tricky, as where I live there are lots of dogs and lots of balls - usually they all seem to share, or at least growl to warn off another dog. This one didn't growl, just snapped really hard. If I do see the girl again I'll just mention it (not in a blaming way!) - their dog might have possession aggression issues that she's not aware of (she's been away for a year and is looking after the dog and puppy for her parents). If it was my dog that injured another I'd want to know to see if there was anything I could do (like move him away from puppies and toys!).

Thanks for all your good wishes! He's currently in his crate (door open) having a good chew on his new bone-shaped kong, stuffed with a few bits of kibble and a tiny bit of cheap peanut butter to keep the bits in! Will zonk soon!

[Sheryl]

Pet for Henry but hug for you as it is scary for owners to deal with these situations xx

[maddy74]

Big hugs for you and Henry. xx

[SophieBlueRoanLover]

Thanks all! Been to the vet and he hasn't given him antibiotics, just anti-inflammatories. Just as with humans, the vets are clearly trying to prevent non-emergency use of antibiotics.
Hopefully the anti-inflammatories will do the trick.
So, £55 for a snappy dog incident - very irritating!

PS Henry seems absolutely fine (apart from swollen mouth) - just caught him trying to hump his Snugglepuppy!