Monday, December 30, 2013

Maybe I Should Earmark Veterinary Funds

About 9:30 last night, at their request, we turned all the dogs out into the backyard. When they came back inside ten minutes later, Gimpy's right shoulder was covered in blood. It took only seconds to determine that the blood was coming from a deep cut on the tip of his ear. We don't know for sure what happened, but the most likely scenario is that Levi grabbed Gimpy's ear while they were playing chase--which they do almost every time they go outside.

Gimpy didn't seem to be in pain. In fact, he didn't seem too concerned at all. Levi, on the other hand, could see the blood and was quite interested in what I was doing to his brother. He hovered over us with his big head in the way until Kim physically removed him so we could get Gimpy into the bathroom. The two of us washed and treated the cut and held the ear compressed in a towel while we washed all the blood off his fur. Just when we would think we had the bleeding stopped, it would start up again all of a sudden, over and over. If this had happened in the daytime, I would have worked on the cut awhile longer to see if we could avoid having to go get it stitched, but it was late. I finally decided to bite the expensive bullet and get the cut checked out by a vet. 

Kim and I quickly got dressed (I threw clothes on over my pajamas), and Kim drove into Baton Rouge to the nearest emergency veterinarian while I sat in the backseat with Gimpy and held a clean white towel to his ear. By the time we got to the animal hospital, where there was enough light to check the cut again, the bleeding had stopped. In fact, there wasn't a single drop of blood on that towel. Gimpy must have stopped bleeding during the four or five minutes we were rushing around getting ready to leave the house. Isn't that typical? We briefly considered turning around and heading back home, but what the heck. We were already there; might as well let them have a look so we could be sure. 

The veterinarian who checked Gimpy's ear was careful not to touch the wound. She told us dogs' ears are notorious for bleeding extensively. "Once you get the bleeding stopped," she said, "don't do anything to it. Don't touch it. Don't even look at it. Wait at least a couple of weeks, and then you can start working on washing the scab out of it." She did give (well, sell) us antibiotics for him: two big capsules, twice a day, for two weeks, so at least we don't have to worry about infection.

Gimpy seemed to consider the whole experience an adventure. First he enjoyed the exclusive attention of the two humans in the household. Later, he was the only dog at the animal hospital and wagged his tail happily while he explored every inch of the lobby, sniffing all the big plants and the various bags of specialty foods on their tall shelves, and made friendly overtures to the "other Goldendoodle" he could see, the one reflected in the glass doors of the entrance.

For the next couple of weeks we'll have to make sure to let Gimpy and Levi outside separately. I learned the hard way not to get between them when they're chasing one another, so we can't allow them to even start that game until Gimpy's ear is healed. They also chew each other's ears sometimes when they wrestle in the house, but I can put a quick end to wrestling without getting knocked down, so I will. 

Sure wish they knew some less rowdy games.

Gimpy

6 comments:

  1. My heart skipped a beat at this post title and then to see it was my kissing buddy that was hurt! Oh! So relieved he's ok!!!

    I once cut my hand so bad I was late for my chiropractic appointment. ( I DON'T believe in stitches!) My back doc told me to slather a wound in vaseline... It will contain most cuts!

    Hope the limited together playtime isn't too painful for any of your pups! And please, give Gimpy a kiss for me!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Holly, thanks for the tip about the Vaseline. As a matter of fact, the last thing I did before deciding to take Gimpy to the vet was put Neosporin ointment on the cut. That's about the same consistency as Vaseline. It was after blood continued to ooze through that that we left for the vet, but now, having read your comment, I'm wondering if that might have been what ultimately stopped the bleeding. I'll remember your tip if it happens again.

      Delete
  2. Those boys! Never a dull moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that the truth? And why do so many of their most exciting moments happen when I'm ready to go to bed?

      Delete
  3. I am new here, in fact I just found you. When I saw your "I'm never happier than when I'm at home with my dogs and a really good book" I knew I had found a kindred spirit. I have 3 dogs and I love their company. I have a little schnauzer rescued from the pound, a 1/2 beagle 1/2 schnauzer, and recently my granddog, a beagle, came to live with me. Now I am off to read back through your posts. :) Glad your Gimpy was not seriously injured!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome, Aunt Betsy! It seems we do have some things in common. I popped over and read just a bit of your blog and will definitely go back later and dig deeper into it. Hope you'll visit again.

      Delete

Your comments might be the very best thing about blogging. I love it when you care enough to share your thoughts here, so go ahead and say what's on your mind.