Keep, re home or PTS a dog that bit?

[Puppalicious]

Our dog bit my dh yesterday, punctured the skin and its now infected. It was entirely my DH’s fault - she was lying under a bush, he lifted her to pull her out (she’s increasingly hard to get out from her “den”), she almost went upside down so he had her by the back legs. She has hip dysplasia, it must have been excruciating for her. I don’t know what he was thinking. However, I worry now she’s crossed a rubicon.

The problem is we have 3 small children, the smallest of whom’s face is low enough to get a bite there. The dog is 3 years old but in pain - we thought it might be one bad hip and get a referral to a vet hospital. However, she’s actually got something wrong in all 4 legs (hip dysplasia in back ones, a touch of arthritis and carpal hyperextension in the front). They recommended weight loss, librela and conservative management in the first instance, all of which we’ve done, and then consider surgery. But in all 4 legs? Is it fair to any dog to do that? She’s not improving. She’s terribly slow on walks.

Last night she looked at me and growled for no reason. My littlest just told me that she petted her this morning and she almost bit her (made no contact - I always thought she had good bite inhibition but maybe not following yesterday). I worry that my DH’s idiocy yesterday has made her even more reactive. I worry a dog in pain is maybe not safe with children in any event. She thinks she’s one of them and will often try to lie beside them - especially the little one - but that means its very easy for one of them to knock her.

She has a lovely sweet gentle nature (she was at the groomers last week and they commented on how friendly and good-natured she is) but I just can’t take any chances with my children. They’ve all been warned sternly this morning to take a lot of care. But is it safe? Should we look at rehoming her to somewhere with no children - but who would want a disabled dog who has bit, beautiful and sweet natured though she is? She would also miss us so much. Should we look into surgery, see if that would help - but all 4 legs?! Is that fair on any dog? I can’t really contemplate the last option in my title - but would that be the fairest thing for her, if she’s in pain?

I know the doghouse can be very rough so I’m expecting some abuse here, but at the same time I’m wondering what good dog-lovers would do.

Awww, sorry OP, sounds really hard for all of you.
agree that if she’s in this much pain (probably why she growled at you) and in all four legs, I don’t think it’s going to be manageable.
very sad but I would pts.

I think you need to talk to the vet who knows the conditions to decide what is best for her moving forward. She may be happier in a more slow paced home (easier said than done obviously) or it maybe that the pain is so severe that sadly PTS is the best option.

it does sound like your home may not be the best place for her with her current needs.

PTS. Protect your children.

I think I would try the surgery first and see if it helps, especially if it’s covered by insurance.

If it doesn’t help the fairest thing is being pts. I think that’s better than watching the dog suffer. A dog can’t even tell you how much it hurts or ask for pain relief. It’s no existence if they are in pain.

I would talk to the vet and find out how successful the surgery is likely to be first. Maybe get a second/third opinion too.

Is she on any pain relief ?

Well my rough collie is around 25kilo so picking her up by her tummy would not be appreciated but she would tolerate it. She let me take a marrow bone away from her yesterday. So I think she must be in a lot of pain. Roughs are lovely but they are temperamental and very easily traumatised and when they take umbrage, they remember. It's poor she has such poorly legs at her age. Is it worth contacting her breeder? You may be able to rehome her via collie life web site. Julie would give you good advice. I think I would go back to your vets and ask for a referal to Fitzpatrick's, if in the SE or the equivalent in your area. Good luck.

They can't keep the dog.

It won't ever trust her 'DH' again - even if it's no longer in pain. Her 'DH' grabbed it when it was in pain and held it upside down. The damage has been done and nothing will change that.

The dog needs to be rehomed with a breed specific charity or via the vet (most vets have contacts who can help).

Or the dog is PTS. But no way should they keep it. They don't deserve an animal if that's how one of them behaves.

What treatment is she receiving for her medical condition?

She isn’t nasty, someone was hurting her, she couldn’t escape so she had to say the dog version of fuck off. There are very very few dogs who would tolerate being hurt, thats why even soft dogs are often given a muzzle at the vet.

Why do people keep animals alive that are in pain? You can’t talk to them about it. They can’t tell you when they need extra pain relief. Years ago this would not have happened.

Think some of you are overreacting a bit, the husband picked up the dog, she wiggled and he held her wrong. Shit happens, doesn't make him the devil incarnate.

Dog needs to be PTS

Personally I don't like keeping animals alive when they are in pain or not able to be fully themselves - for a dog like this, running and chasing and having fun.

The issue with your DH is secondary - and it sounds like he just fluffed it, not really his fault IMO.

What was the reason for your DH trying to move your dog? I think it is slightly unfair to say that he picked the dog up by the back legs as that isn’t what he intended to do but the dog moved so he ended up doing that. But that is something to be considered that you could accidentally cause the dog pain so you need to ensure you are as careful as possible around the dog as possible.

But if your dog is in their safe space ‘their den’ you don’t go near them

Your Husband is an idiot and deserved to get bitten frankly.
However, this is a dog in pain and its not a great combination with small children, you will need to be constantly vigilent and even then it could go wrong.
Unfortunately I would try and rehome via a breed rescue if possible and be completely honest about the health issues but also consider PTS if the dog can't have a decent quality of life

This.. some of these comments are wild.

It's as though it was deliberate. I kicked my 16yo cat off the end of the bed the other night. He didn't appreciate it at all! I didn't do it on purpose. He's black, it was dark and I didn't know he was there!!

I wouldn't in a million years rehome, that would be incredibly unfair to her. The dog bit because she was in pain. I think you need the operation/s and pain care sorting urgently or you need to euthanise.

Talk to the vet and ask what they advise. Depending on the vet, some don't mention the option of PTS unless you do unless there's an urgent situation.

I really valued my vet's honesty with my dog and made it clear that's what I wanted. No fluffing and vagueness. They said they'd PTS in the same situation and that was enough for me.

I agree she's not safe to live with small children but I wouldn't rehome unless the prognosis is good. It's not fair for her to be in pain.

I know, exactly! it’s ridiculous! He’s been called a cunt and op told to kick him out! Get a grip people!

Agreed, its nuts.
He tried to pick the dog up and fumbled it, makes him daft not evil FFS

The dog bite was unfortunately your husbands fault even though he didn’t mean to hurt her.
Longterm the dog can’t live permanently in pain

she’s actually got something wrong in all 4 legs (hip dysplasia in back ones, a touch of arthritis and carpal hyperextension in the front). They recommended weight loss, librela and conservative management in the first instance, all of which we’ve done, and then consider surgery.

All that and she’s only 3! PTS.

However, she’s actually got something wrong in all 4 legs (hip dysplasia in back ones, a touch of arthritis and carpal hyperextension in the front).

I'd PtS just for that. Poor dog.

I'd PTS, because of her disability - if he was a healthy dog then I'd just rehome away from children, but the poor girl is suffering and this could go badly wrong. We're not talking about a senior dog here. What sort of a life is it for a 3 year old dog to not be able to run and play?
I'm sure this is going to be tough on you whatever you do. You have to do what's right for the family and you really can't keep her with small kids about. I hope you are OK and that most people are understanding. I think you'll find that most are IRL, but it may not be like that on here.

Have you been in touch with her breeder? They may offer to take her back. They also need to know about the poor girl's awful condition.

I would have an honest & indepth discussion with your vet first, then also with local dog rescues & ones such as the The Dog's Trust & Battersea. There are people who would give a good home to your collie, but I think you need honest opinions from those who work for rescues your likelihood of finding one and how long it might take to do so.

Rescue centres will have contacts too and you never know, may know of someone perfect for your dog.

The vet discussions I would focus on finding out her quality of life is going to be with treatment.

Then if you do need to PTS, you know you've really done your research and exhausted all other options.

I'm really sorry, @Puppalicious , what an awful position to be in

Op I think it would be kindest to the dog to have them PTS.

The dogs in pain, it's likely to snap at the kids.
Rehoming isn't really an option, you can't guarantee the dog won't snap at another random child, and the new owners aren't going to be able to get insurance so they might be tempted to scrimp on Vet bills.

I think posters are being OTT with the comments on your DH.

Sorry Op but PTS would be kindest.