P.O. Box 987
Valley Forge, PA 19482
(267) 249-5762
Non-Profit Corporation.
Dr. Anna Edling, Veterinarian Horsham Veterinary Hospital Horsham, PA Dr. Edling graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1982, and has been in private small animal practice for 32 years. She owns multiple pets and also is a ferret specialist |
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 DOGS
BITING DOGSIn our waiting room this past weekend a client’s large dog attacked a smaller dog. This area is large, with plenty of room to maneuver dogs out of each other’s way. But people going into a vet’s office often assume that all dogs are friendly.
This is not the case! Even a dog wagging its tail and barking is not by any means “automatically friendly.” Out of its home territory, some dogs will immediately assert dominance. In the above case my guess is that part of the reason the large dog chose that particular smaller dog was because both dogs were intact males.
Rules include: Keep your dog on a leash CLOSE TO YOUR BODY. A 15’ leash is not appropriate. If another dog seems aggressive, move away. DON’T assume the owner can control the dog. If your dog or another dog is attacked, stay out of the confrontation - you WILL get bitten!
In case of bite wounds a dog gets in ANY circumstance, seek veterinary care immediately. Ralphie, the small dog above, had 7 puncture wounds. They weren’t very big, but there is always tissue damage underneath, and many bacteria are introduced under the skin. Ralphie’s wounds were cleaned and flushed. He was started on Clavamox, a good antibiotic for bite wounds. Ralphie is doing well -- but the owner of the large dog is paying Ralphie’s medical bill. |
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©2003-2009 The Animal Welfare Project P.O. Box 987 Valley Forge, PA 19482 (267) 249-5762 Duplication prohibited without written permission. |