Discussion
Just come back from walking the dogs & have found 3 separate bite marks on one of the dogs.
He doesn't seem bothered & they are not bleeding, just small punctures marks in the skin,at first I thought he had snagged himself on a twig/branch until I realised there 2 on his ankle/foot & 1 to the shoulder, 6 puncture holes in total. They venture off on there own for up to 20mins at a time chasing rabbits, squirrel's etc but one of the bite marks is about 4.5" - 5" between puncture marks so its not a rat or squirrel,maybe a fox ? As I said they are not deep but should I take him to a vet incase of possible infection from a fox or whatever it was ? Or maybe I'm just being a bit OT about it?
He doesn't seem bothered & they are not bleeding, just small punctures marks in the skin,at first I thought he had snagged himself on a twig/branch until I realised there 2 on his ankle/foot & 1 to the shoulder, 6 puncture holes in total. They venture off on there own for up to 20mins at a time chasing rabbits, squirrel's etc but one of the bite marks is about 4.5" - 5" between puncture marks so its not a rat or squirrel,maybe a fox ? As I said they are not deep but should I take him to a vet incase of possible infection from a fox or whatever it was ? Or maybe I'm just being a bit OT about it?
Edited by gerradiuk on Thursday 29th March 13:06
As you have no idea what bit him and foxes are carriers for all sorts of nasty things, I would suggest the vet, pretty soon.
Just to make sure I read your comments right, do you really let your dogs out of your sight (and arguably your control) for up to 20 minutes at a time?
Are you sure it wasn't in a fight with someone else pet pooch?
Just to make sure I read your comments right, do you really let your dogs out of your sight (and arguably your control) for up to 20 minutes at a time?
Are you sure it wasn't in a fight with someone else pet pooch?
They are are whippets & do not ever fight at all, they are too quick & the ultimate cowards. Although they do tease other doge to chase them then wait until other dogs are exhausted & then sniff them all over at there leisure Lol. No on serious note I can only remember one time where another dog was hostile towards them ,they seem to get along with most other dogs Ok.
here they are, terrifying aren't they...
here they are, terrifying aren't they...
Edited by gerradiuk on Thursday 29th March 13:16
gerradiuk said:
Hi Matt good point but it was at my sisters farm & I'm pretty sure they dont use barbed wire , I'll have to ask.
My dog has had similar marks before (though hard to see in pic) that were caused by old barb wire! Could be there is some old bits/offcuts in the undergrowth! I imagine you would have heard a lot of noise if it had been a fox! Mine chased a fox once (a black one) and the noise was terrible 
They sound just like my whippet 
Puncture wounds are difficult to assess as they ann be deep but don't look it as they close over quickly.
Having them checked would be wise as cause is unknown.
If you decide not to, bathe them in antibacterial wash or salt water solution and don't let the holds close over for a couple days. Any sign of swelling, redness, pus they will definitely need vet treatment.
Puncture wounds are difficult to assess as they ann be deep but don't look it as they close over quickly.
Having them checked would be wise as cause is unknown.
If you decide not to, bathe them in antibacterial wash or salt water solution and don't let the holds close over for a couple days. Any sign of swelling, redness, pus they will definitely need vet treatment.
Whippets might have a reputation for being timid but they can be killing machines with rabits and squirels... and they've got skin like tissue paper, bones like match sticks and no brakes when in persuit mode. I'd say barbed wire or gone into a thicket at 90mph. Guess how I know; Last year a friends Whippet hit a tree trunk chasing a bunny and fractured his skull (well a bit of it but he's all OK now but learnt nothing from it) and constantly has cuts. As for timid; He had a GreatDane pinned to the floor last week when it got a bit too heavy pawed.
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