advice please - my poor boy was attacked

[kandi_]

im the very proud owner of a 4yr old (this week) red nose pit bull male named rusta, hes my pride and joy (i also part own a grey pit female keisha).

the other day i came home from work and he had been attacked by another dog (i dont know what happend to the other dog as i live out in the country, about 2kms away from my nearest neighbour, and cant figgure out were the other dog may hav come from) naturally i rushed him right into the vets as soon as i found him.
his legs and face are just covered in scratches and puncher wounds, the pads of his feet are all torn up, his top right hand lip has been torn and his ears are just giant scabs, all torn and punchered, simply put my poor boy is an absolute mess. the vet has stiched up a few of his wounds (he had quite a bad one over his eye) and put him on antibiotics (they also keept him in for a few days for observation)

i am following my vets instructions to the letter, but the problems are:
1) hes stoped eating, hes drinking ALOT but just not interested in his food
2) his ears hav become very smelly (REALLY smelly) the vet has told me to wash them with a saline solution daily and to pack them with swabs, but this doesnt seem to be helping with the smell!!
3)he wont get up and move unless he has to (ie i put him outside to go tolite and he wals back in)
4) hes been throwing up alot (esp. after hes been picked up and carried) its just watery, coz thats all hes been interested in, water

my vets not to worried (they check on him daily), but i cant help but feel as if theres alot more i could be doing, im really worried about his lack of interest in food, hes usually a real pig!
is there anthing more i can do (asides from what ive been told by the vet), or im i just beining a overly worried mum???

thanks any suggestions or questions welcomed!!

oh and by the way im new!! my names mallory, im 20yrs old, i live in new zealand, im a dairy farmer, own 3 horses, my 2 pitts and look fowarded to getting to know all of you!
thanks!

[Deidre]

There is a possibility your dog may be suffering from shock, there are signs that you can look out for to ensure that it is shock but I wouldn't waste any time, I have experienced this when my dog was attacked by a wandering dog and although he was placed on antibiotics he died within 3 days and yet there was no internal damage...some dogs may not appear to be in shock straight away but tend to suffer from 'delayed shock.' You did say that your dog is being seen daily by the vet, I hope your vet is looking for signs of shock...perhaps you could mention this to him/her.

He could simply be in pain and not feel like eating but I don't think it is worth the risk...you say that he has been kept at the vet's for observation....do you know whether he was placed on a drip? usually that is one of the things that is done to counteract shock amongst other things...I don't mean to worry you but it is best to be safe than sorry. I wish Rusta a speedy recovery!!

[nikkicolen104]

OMG your poor litle guy. I agree with Deidre get the vet to chec for signs of shock. I really jut wanted to say that im sorry this happened to your little guy and I wish him the best of luck with a good recovery. Please keep us updated on him.

[Dax]

Is he drinking? Try boiling some chicken broth up for him. Once they stop eating, they can have a problem working up a desire to eat again. Boiled broth served luke warm will give him some nutrients as well rekindle his interest in food.

I would check him for dehyrdration. It is very important that he is getting enough fluids.

Is he up to date on all his shots? There is no danger that it was a rabid animal that he fought with?

I would take him back to the vet and have him reassessed.

[kandi_]

thanks guys for your suggestions and kind words!!

the vet put him on a drip, im not too sure what it was for, when they put him on it they were saying they were worried about the amount of blood he lost (it was EVERY were).
hes now home, still hav to take him into the vet daily for his antibiotics as hes still not eating (its been a week this since happened on wensday so now im getting really really worried as he has lost a heck of a lot of weight)
he is drinking ALOT but only water and watered down milk.
i spoke to my vet today about the possiblity of him beining in shock, and the vet agreed its possibly a combo of shock, alot of pain (as hes VERY tender) and hes possibly feeling very sorry for himself, and if there are any changes at all to call him straight away.

he still smells quite bad thou, would it hurt if i gave him a bath and washed him with an iodine based shampoo??
hes also not cleaning him self or getting up to go tolit at all (he just goes were hes sitting and will stay there untill he is picked up and moved), which is really outta charactor for him as hes normally a very very clean and private dog (hates going tolite were people can see) and he just point blank refuses to move for anything, should i try and make him move, or just leave him alone??

thanks every one for all your help so far!

oh and yes he is all up to date with his shots

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I would think about getting a second opinion. I would want a more pro-active approach (like for the ears for one). I'm not a good one for let's wait and see when day after day I don't see some improvement.

I hope things turn around soon. Keep us posted.

[kandi_]

the problem is is that not many vets are prepared to look at him because of his breed, also my vets really good, this is the first time EVER that i havent been happy with him and the way hes treated my boy.
i also hate the lets wait and see approach, if he hasnt improved more by tomorrow i was thinking of taking him up to my sister (she lives in the citty) and getting a vet who specalises (sorry bad speller) in dogs to look at him.

my dog is my baby, his health is NOT somthing i want to take risks with as im sure alot of you will understand.

[Becky]

he could possibly be having a reaction to the antibiotic. Ask your vet to maybe try a differnt kind,

[gsdjordyn]

what kind of pain medicine is he on? I wold take him somewhere else..the vet should be very worried...I know you like your vet, but he'll get over it...your dog may not...get someone else to look at him...NOW!

[golden&hovawart]

Have you tried to feed him boiled chicken or something very yummy like meat or even bread.Anything would be better than nothing.I'm so srry about this.please keep us posted.