Thursday, August 9, 2012

A Terrible Week Explained


It hasn't been the best week for me or the dogs.  It all took a turn on Tuesday evening when I got home and Annie, who up to this point could do no wrong and even if she did, it would be 'okay,' uncharacteristically started a fight.  I'm not sure exactly how it started.  I only know I'd just gotten home and the dogs were all around greeting me, I saw Annie turn on Sheba and it became a free-for-all.  I was able to break up the fight, but not before one of my hands was bitten several times, causing it to become sore and swollen. (Making it difficult to type)

I checked Annie very carefully to make sure she'd not been hurt in the fight because she instantly become a real grouch.  I found myself scolding her that evening when she snapped at Todd and the other dogs more than once.  Her soft and gentle eyes even looked different.  Needless to say, I was very concerned about this sudden change.
On Wednesday morning Annie wasn't putting weight on her back leg.  By the evening it was even more than apparent Annie wasn't feeling well when she refused her second meal of the day.  I gave Annie a really good once over paying particular attention to her back leg and I looked closely at her foot.  It was then that I realized that one of her toes was really red, swollen and sore--It all made sense now!  I think that this is why Todd has been so obsessed with her feet, this foot in particular, and why there was such a sudden change in her disposition--On Tuesday her foot was probably feeling tender and it must have gotten stepped on, starting the fight.  Annie's continuing to snap at the other dogs, I think explains why her behavior continued.

At the vet this morning we took an x-ray and her toe isn't broken and there is no visible tumor.  We're hoping that the infection has not spread into the bone and a medicated foot soak along with antibiotics and pain medication will do the trick and bring back the lovely Annie that we are all quite fond of!!

48 comments:

  1. Oh Kim I am glad you figured out what caused her disposition change and hope she will continue to mend! However, (and I know you will) please take care of yourself as well!!!...:)JP

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  2. What a week! I really love that last picture, I hope Annie is doing better!

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  3. Poor sweet Annie, I hope she feels better fast!

    How is your hand? Have you been putting anything on it? Hubby found this great antibiotic ointment with a topical pain reliever in it at CVS. It might be worth a trip. :-)

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  4. Poor Annie - poor you. You did well to break up that free for all - it must have been difficult to tell where one dog ended and another began! I really hope that Annie's foot problem will be sorted out quickly.

    That last photo is beautiful.

    xx

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  5. There is usually a reason for those sudden behavioral changes, if we can only figure them out. So glad you caught this one.

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  6. poor girl! at least there is an explanation for her change in personality! i do hope it heals well!

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  7. Your story reminds me that we need to give each other the benefit of the doubt when our behaviour is less than ideal, because there could be a really good reason. I have been known to forget this at critical times!

    I hope Annie's foot is feeling better - I'm sure her canine family has already forgiven her. And I hope your hand is healing, too!

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  8. Oh my friend, I'm so sorry that I added to your hard week with bad news. I will pray Annie's foot is back to normal quickly and that the all will return to your peaceful haven. You are such a wonderful friend and I am so thankful for you Kim!
    Hugs,Noreen

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  9. Hi Kim, oh poor you and Annie, what a week indeed. Sure hope she feels better soon, and you keep your hand clean. Hope your weekend will be better, Blessings Francine.

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  10. At first I thought Annie was just fighting for your attention but as I read further I realized she hurt herself somehow and only knew one way to tell you what she was feeling...by biting! I hope your hand heals up well and I hope Annie feels better soon!

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  11. I hope that is all that Annie needs to get all better.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  12. O no !! poor girl.....so sad for her...i hope she will recover darling....love Ria...xxx...

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  13. I hope everyone will be okay. *hugs* ♥

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  14. Oh wow. Well we all know now how Annie is and what probably caused the fight and her being so edgy, but how is your hand? I hope all goes back to normal with Annie very soon and that your hand gets better as well.
    Ana

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  15. Oh the dear sweet girl must have been in pain. Such a shame they can't tell us what is wrong. Do hope that she is feeling much better by now.....good vibes on the way to her from here.

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  16. Poor Annie. I hope she feels better soon.

    Cindy

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  17. THANK YOU everyone for the good thoughts!! My hand is feeling a lot better! The swelling has gone down quite a bit in my fingers and my hand is now more bruised than anything and I can type much, much easier than I could yesterday--YAY!! :-)

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  18. There is usually a good reason when there's such a change in disposition. We hope she heals soon.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  19. Poor girl! I snap, too if someone steps on one of my sore toes! Feel better, Annie - and you, too, Kim!!

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  20. Doesn't sound like much of a picnic for Annie or you. I hope you both are on the mend.

    XXX

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  21. Poor girl - I'm sure you are right, sore toes get stepped on, somebody gotta PAY. Even an angel can get grumpy what they are miserable. She picked a feisty Sheba to turn on. Probably not the best choice. Poor Todd; I bet he's over it already.

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  22. Hope Annie is back to feeling better soon! You are a great dog mom!
    xoxo

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  23. Woof! Woof! Oh! hope you hand is doing well. I guess TODD knew it ... Sending Lots of Golden Healing Thoughts. Lots of Golden LOVE to the Golden Pines Gang. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  24. Oh that ToddI think he really did know that something was hurting ...what a great dog
    So sorry that you got inbetween and got bitten..take care there
    And I am thrilled that she will be healing soon.....you too

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  25. Dear Kim and Annie,

    We both hope that you both get well soon, as it is horrible having a sore paw (or hand)!

    Love and woofs,
    Riley and Enzo

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  26. Glad you got it figured out with Annie, poor usually good natured girl. I also hope your paw heals very quickly too, since you too, are a good natured girl! Do take good care of that paw though, old dogs sometimes carry bad things in the mouth.

    Hugs all around,

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  27. Oh my goodness Kim, you are really having a time! Poor, sweet Annie... what a precious face... I hope she's better soon. I'm sure the others understand and are forgiving. Todd is something!

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  28. All of us over at ruled by paws are sending Annie positive healing vibes.

    It's so tough when our friends aren't feeling right and can't tell us. Annie is so blessed to have you as her caregiver.

    Brooke, Cessna, Aspen, canyon & Rogue

    Please come check out our new home when you get a chance - http://www.ruledbypaws.ca

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  29. Poor Annie and poor everyone in the house! I'm so glad you found out what was wrong and that you're getting it taken care of...always something, isn't it?
    You're a strong woman!

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  30. Gosh ~ not fun at all! Poor girl! I hope Annie gets better soon!
    xo Catherine

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  31. Our sweetest Kim.
    We are so sorry that you have has such a bad week with this doggie episode happening.
    We just read that you are feeling better, but ohhh the stress we know you felt.
    We are also sad to hear about Annies toe. Hopefully she is on her way to recovery now, and feeling much better.
    Of course that was the reason she did not feel good.
    We send healing bubbles to you and Annie to feel better soon, and that your weekend will be calm and peaceful. We send love.
    love
    tweedles

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  32. Aww.... Poor Annie. Hope she (and you) are feeling better soon!!

    Waggles,

    Dougall.

    PeeS: Good ol' Todd for trying to look after her!

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  33. Oh, poor Annie! I sure hope her foot gets better. You have such a patient and kind heart with your dogs. Thank goodness you found the problem and got her to the vet. Your babies are so lucky they have you to look after them.......and Todd of course! What a smarty!

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  34. Poor girl, it would be so much easier if they could talk to us.

    Give her hugs! ...and we wish you a speedy recovery with your hand.

    Sam

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  35. Hi there Kim,
    I'm so sorry to hear about the fight and Annie's foot (Your question on FB prompted a discussion in our household and only then did I think to visit your blog - been really busy this week). My 'vet student' daughter suggests that if the 'bucket soak' doesn't work (soaking the back foot), then to put the entire dog in the bath with the soak.
    I hope things work out. You do such amazing work. Hope Annie gets better soon.
    Lotsa of love
    MAXMOM IN SA

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  36. ps. Sorry about your hand too :(

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  37. We've had lots of foot problems this summer, many of them from insect bites. In a couple of cases Fudge alerted me to the problem in other dogs. I'll bet next time Todd seems overly interested in someone, you'll look closer.

    We did foot soaks and antibiotics and for now everyone has healthy feet. I hope Annie is feeling better soon.

    I tell myself not to reach into a dog fight, yet when it happens, I jump right in to break it up. Hope you're feeling better soon, too. Dog bites really hurt, don't they?
    Sue

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  38. Oh gosh, I hope that both you and Annie are feeling better! Good for Todd for leading you to the problem! I'm having a rough time on my end too with family problems. My blog will be silent for a little bit for that reason, I'll try and get back to it as soon as I can.

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  39. Oh dear, gald you found out the problem with Annie. Please make sure if the bite you got doesn't look like its getting better get it checked out.
    Have a good week
    See Yea George xxx

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  40. OHH poor Annie... Get better soon.. We will pray for that!

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  41. Glad you figured out the problem. Poor Annie! Cool that you used to live in Alaska! Isn't it funny how we don't take in the places around us??? Seward was cool and it was a good place to boat out to see the glaciers. Had some great fish and crab legs.

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  42. Hope you and Annie feel better soon.

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  43. Poor Annie and poor you. How is your hand?

    Did the vet also check Annie's eyes? First thought was of a Dane we had who suddenly turned on his housemates because he was going blind; he could only see shadows with his peripheral vision and he lashed out due to fear. He ended up being the dog who bit mama's right arm and hand pretty badly, the day before he died. So here's some 'been there, done that' sympathy for you, too, Kim.

    Were any of the other dogs seriously hurt? Has Annie made peace with the pack again?

    Jed & Abby

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  44. I know I suggested that it might help fur me and Annie teu take a swim in a pool, butt I deu hobes her footsy soaking habbs maked her feel much more better.

    wif lubbs from Little Reufus

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  45. What a high stress homecoming . Hope the foot heals and Annie reverts to normal.

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  46. Oh I am so glad you have found the problem.

    You are a wonderful person and I adore all of the dogs they are so lucky to have you.Big Gentle Cuddles for Annie bless her.xxx

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  47. Poor baby, she looks so sweet, that sore toe must have been hard to bear.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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