Advice needed! Dog Attack

[ThornyRidgeII]

My worst nightmare came true earlier this week, when 3 pit bull/mixes somehow got into my goat pen and killed 3 of my goats and horrifically injured the other 5. My vet came literally right after it happened and immediately started them on heavy doses of twin pen and steroids.. last night I was able to switch from steroid to banamine for pain. He wants the wounds to remain open and uncovered to drain.. the goats are confined to the barn and are in soooo much pain and shock. I would like to eventually clean the dried blood from the wounds but am so hesitant of any products that will burn. Vet suggested only peroxide at this time if anything because he does want them to continue draining. All the wounds are on the faces/muzzles, necks and throats. two have began nibbling some hay and pine branches.. 4 have been able to drink water but that is as far as we got. It really is a day by day nightmare for me and my babies. I am still in shock/numb. Have not slept or eaten since Monday night. Because they are in such fragile shape and pain they do not want me even getting close to touching the wound areas.. they pull away if I even slowly make to get to a wound. My large mini nubians face looks horrific.. all her injuries occurred around her muzzle,cheeks.. she was the bloodiest and has to be in such pain.. the swelling has subsided from yesterday but she has many large lacerations and wounds throughout her face.. the rest are neck, throat and some face.. I just heard from Victim assistance program and the woman who owns the dogs is being arraigned on 10/3. I will be at all of the court hearings. I can't get my babies back and from the looks and sounds of this woman I will not probably get restitution, but I will make sure that these dogs do not do this again! Especially since I heard that the pit bull has harrassed and bit a woman several months ago in a Pizza Hut parking lot and was returned to the owner with a $25 fine and court costs.. sickening.. I am doing the best I can for my babies that are left.. spending as much time with them and continuing to coax some water and food.. I want to eventually get to tending the wounds when they are not so painful and raw and when they will let me without causing more stress. I am stocked up on just about any and all supplies.. including the brand new bottle of banamine from the vet. I am still continuing the long acting pen now just once per day per vets advice plus the banamine.. I attempted some probios gel on a cookie.. one ate it.. but two of the injured actually showed some interest in nibbling the hay and pine needles and were slowly eating a bit. everyone is peeing and pooping but remains very critical.. asking for positive energy and good vibes for my remaining babies.
Thanks, Melissa

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What a horrible thing to go through.

Sending positive thoughts, prayers and hopes for the best in your direction.

 

[HoneyDreameMomma]

What a horrible thing to go through.

Sending positive thoughts, prayers and hopes for the best in your direction.

X2! Hoping your remaining goats have a speedy recovery.

 

[woodsie]

That's horrible! So sorry you have to be going through this...so terrible that there are such irresponsible people out there. Wishing you the best with your remaining goats.

 

[Catahoula]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss and the ordeal you and you animals have to go though. It would be my worst nightmare also. Praying for their speedy recovery and healing as much as yours.

 

[bj taylor]

what a really terrible thing! horrible.
my dog attacked one of my goats about 5 months ago & inflicted terrible flank wound. she too suffered so much. the wound ultimately became infected & there were actually maggots at one point. the wound continued to eat flesh until she had a cavity in her backside just under her anus so deep it was the length of my finger & another wound on her flank that ultimately penetrated to just beside her little udder. you could pour liquid in through the top wound & it would drain out the bottom near her udder. we would tie her to the fence, give her goodie (I know, yours have facial injuries which are different). then we would clean the wounds. I used a 20cc syringe & would draw up water w/a bit of betadine and vinegar in it. I would flush repeatedly. I used women's large tampons (they're very clean - I don't know if they're sterile or not) to pack the wounds. when these were removed, they would pull debris from the wound, dead flesh, and other nasty stuff. I would put them in dry so they could soak up stuff. you can't close off the wounds.
I had to treat her wounds for about a month. as time passed, I was able to go to once a day, then every couple of days.
today, she is healed and healthy. she does have a heck of a scar.

I would pull leaves & hand feed her. I would put the fresh water right beside her so she didn't have to walk to it.

I say all this to say, they sometimes survive such awful things. this forum helped me immensely to know what to do.

you are sure going through an ordeal. feel terrible for you.

 

[elevan]

How horrible. I am in tears for your goats and for you. I pray that they make a speedy recovery and that justice is done.

 

[bonbean01]

X2!!!

 

[RoeDylanda]

I'm sorry, Melissa, that is horrific.

My own dog went crazy and bit one of my goats-- went for her face right away and put holes in her lower jaw. It's GREAT that yours are eating. You might try a little warm molasses water to tempt them to drink. My girl would not touch plain water but drank the molasses water right up.

I would advise you not to try the peroxide-- the goats are getting antibiotics for infection, and peroxide will kill any healthy new cells that are trying to grow in the wounds. Goats are really tough, and as bad as the wounds may look, the goats' own immune systems are working to heal them from the inside out. Mine had drains sutured into her jaw to let the pus out, and gross as it looked she actually healed up really well.

Hugs to you, and healing thoughts to your remaining goats.

 

[bcnewe2]

Vetracin is a wound spray that can be uses without causing any added pain. You can even get it in eyes without burning. Very liquid so should help to clean off the wounds. Also you can get sterile saline as contact lense cleaner and flush the wounds with that. It wont hurt either. As they start to heal I like wonder dust but it willl burn so I'd wait a while.

So sorry your having to deal with this. Hope they all pull through and your able to get the dogs off the streets.