What to Do if Your Dog is Injured in a Dog Fight in Dartmouth
Nobody wants to even think about what could happen if their dog were to get into a fight with a neighbor’s dog – or if their own dogs got into a fight at home. The truth is that dog fights happen. It isn’t always easy to predict and sometimes there isn’t any warning, but rather than sit there not knowing what to do when it happens, it’s a good idea to learn all you can and prepare. Dogs can become territorial over people, places, food, and things. It is a natural instinct. In some cases, it might be due to stress, such as anxiety issues in dogs or a dog scared of loud noises that becomes afraid. In other situations, it could be due to dominance or aggression issues that have not been properly dealt with by a professional. Whatever the cause, the goal of this article is to help concerned dog owners know what to do if their dog is injured in a dog fight in Dartmouth or the surrounding area.
Step One: Visit Your Local Veterinarian
The first thing you need to do is bring your injured pet to the Dartmouth animal hospital. Anchor Animal Hospital treats pets with appointments and sees pets on an emergency or urgent care basis. We can provide a broad range of treatments and services, which are perfect for a pet that has become injured in a fight. Emergency services, including in-house surgeries, blood work and veterinary ultrasound in Dartmouth are essential to ensuring that your pet gets the treatment they require right away.
As soon as you assess the damage following a fight and know if one of both of the dogs is injured, it is time to act quickly and get them in for treatment right away. The animals should be separated and placed out of reach of one another so that another fight won’t break out again. If both animals live in your home, safely check them out for any blood, bite marks, puncture wounds, scrapes or other injuries. If the other dog involved in the fight belongs to a neighbor or someone else, make sure they assess their dog for injuries right away as well. If no one is available and the dog is not aggressive, you may be able to evaluate their injuries yourself as long as the two dogs are kept apart.
If you spot any injuries, clean the area up as well as you can and then bring your pet to the Dartmouth animal hospital. You need to understand that any puncture or laceration can become severely infected within hours. The sooner you can get your pet to be seen by a veterinarian, the less chance there will be a serious infection. They can thoroughly clean out the wound, check for damages that you might not be able to see, provide antibiotic prescriptions to prevent or kill infections, and offer after-care remedies that will benefit the injured animal.
Step Two: The After-Effects of a Fight
Dogs who have been in a fight will often be visibly shaky or can sometimes act more aggressive once it is all over. In most cases this behavior will go away after the shock of the incident has worn off. However, some pets are left with lasting effects. A dog fight experience can create anxiety issues in dogs that previously had none, while a dog scared of loud noises could also become afraid of the sound of other dogs barking in the neighborhood. If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior or anxiety issues, the best thing to do is to consult with an expert through your local Dartmouth animal hospital.
In some situations, a mild sedative or an anti-anxiety medication may be used immediately following an attack. This can help your dog to calm down and heal faster than they would due to the anxiety. Mention any symptoms that you think are relevant to your veterinarian just in case something can be done to help your pet. In addition to x-rays and scans like veterinary ultrasound in Dartmouth, your vet knows what signs to look for in pets who have gone through this type of situation and can help you get them on the road to feeling better. It is important not to be overly over-protective or indulge in harmful behaviors. Your local vet can help you learn how to behave with your pet following a fight or other incident.
Step Three: Getting Along for the Long Run
If the dog fight occurred between two dogs that live in the same home, it is important to work with your veterinarian at the local Dartmouth animal hospital to teach them how to play together again without getting into another fight. Some experts recommend getting them back together within 48 hours to ensure they reconcile, but other trainers point out that some dogs will just hold onto hostility and will never be able to get along again. Perhaps there was always an underlying tension that you were just not aware of before the attack. Ask for a recommendation for a reputable trainer in your area that might be able to assist in this type of situation to keep both dogs safe during reintroduction.
Visit Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth
If your dog is involved in an emergency situation, such as a car accident, dog fight or another incident that results in an injury of any degree, bring them in for emergency services at our Dartmouth animal hospital. Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and preventive treatments are also available, and we treat other problems as well, including anxiety issues in dogs or dogs scared of loud noises. Give us a call at 508-996-3731 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about the services that we provide.