Help- Swelling after dog attack (goat)

[Savageacres]

Hi,

We are new to goats (NDGs) and have already had our first tragedy. The neighbors' giant pit jumped out outer 4 ft fence, and the goats' 5 ft fence on Saturday evening. He killed out black and white spotted doeling (Dot) outright and injured her sister (Savy). She has puncture wounds on both sides of her head that we have been treating saline and triple antibiotic. The wounds are closing, despite our cleanings, and today one side of her face seemed pretty swollen. I know trauma can take a little while to swell and there are no overt signs of infection, but we started her on penicillin just in case. She was more active yesterday though. I am thinking the swelling is increasing her soreness. What can I give to help with swelling/pain- children's Ibuprofen? She's about 20 lbs.

Thanks!

 

[Mini Horses]

First, sorry for the attack. I would think the neighbor should pay for vet care and cost of lost animal, although emotionally it doesn't help. Vet can give you some banamine &/or antibiotics if needed and determine if other injury which you are not seeing. The dog may have shaken her in the attack, causing further trauma. They generally do and those jaws are powerful!

Let us know how it goes.

 

[mystang89]

Have no useful info, just saying sorry that happened.

 

[Wehner Homestead]

First ! Second, those wounds can be very deep and if there’s swelling, there’s likely infection behind the healing. Call the vet. Make a police report. Neighbor should have to pay and be cited for an uncontrolled animal.

Next you need a pair of LGD to protect your goats from things like this happening in the future. Refer to the Livestock Guardian Dog threads for more info.

I hope your little gal recovers!

 

[Baymule]

If you seal up the wounds with an ointment, you could be sealing the bacteria from the dog bite and cause infection. I have done that myself before, that's how I know. Take her to the vet and get her taken care of. The dog owner should pay for the vet care and cost of the dead goat. By all means, YES-make a police report of this attack. What if that had been a child? And you are going to keep goats, that dog will be back again. If you establish a pattern of attacks or attempted attacks, the owner will have to get rid of the dog. I don't care if the owner is sorry and says it will never happen again, you need to report this and get a record of it.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

What they said! And, sorry for your loss.

 

[Latestarter]

All of the above X2. So sorry about your loss and the ongoing issues accompanying it. Welcome once again to BYH.

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

In six months, had 5 attacks, lost 7 calves, and cost over $10K in vet bills for injured. A pair of pits digging out the culprits. I still have nightmares !!!! Do not think even a pair of mature, experienced LGDs could have stopped these two.

Friend lost many sheep and several mature, experienced LGD to pack of three pits. Crushed legs where pit clamped onto LGD.

I would put a LGD up against any predator to win, except pit. I had one my self and at 6 yo she grabbed one of my goats and showed me what they are infamous for! Clamped down, shook,shook,shook,and would not let go. Lost the goat and the dog. She had never given any indication of aggression, had her from 3 months old, well trained, etc. Raised around goats and cattle. Could never risk her doing this to a human!

 

[BrendaMNgri]

Next you need a pair of LGD to protect your goats from things like this happening in the future. Refer to the Livestock Guardian Dog threads for more info.

@Savageacres LGDs must have dog proof fencing, or they will get out and roam, and in most cases, not come back (due to being stolen, shot, run over on the road, killed by predators, etc. etc.)

Sorry for your loss, in the same breath I'm going to tell you: work on getting fenced better (taller, hot fence, hot wire, etc. etc. etc.)
LGDs are NOT - NOT NOT NOT - always the answer. Too many people get them first before they do the self-introspection and immense amount of work involved before buying one. It is why there are so many in rescues, pounds, shelters, and being dumped and given up.
Fence first, then the rest later.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

As the others said, get this goat to a vet!
Depending on how bad the swelling is, and the type of swelling, she may need some drains. If the vet puts in a drain or two, it will be easier to flush. Punctures are scary, they close easily and are infection waiting to happen.
I would be giving penn G twice a day, per my vet’s orders.

Is this doe current on her CDT?
If not you may want to ask your vet about giving tetanus antitoxin, then following up with a CDT.

So sorry this happened to you! How devastating. Hope you keep us updated.