Sunday 21 September 2014

Bertie's injury: update from Gail

Thank you readers for your concern, well wishes and kind advice after Saturday's incident.

I took Bertie to the emergency vet this (Sunday) morning, and she noted the wound in his side was quite a deep one and suggested I leave him to be sedated and they would clean it up thoroughly and check him over.

Imagine my horror when later in the day the vet phoned back to tell me Bertie's injuries were rather worse than she'd initially thought. It seems Jake's teeth must have dug deep and dragged some of Bertie's skin and flesh inside, creating conditions for an infection, and a large cavity full of puss had already developed beneath his shoulder, which required a big incision to clear out. The vet also noted other signs of trauma on his neck.

The poor wee lad.

I finally went back to the vet's to pick him up this evening.

What a sorry sight.

We returned home armed with antibiotics and pain killers. Tomorrow I shall stay at home to keep an eye on him and make sure the wound drain does not clog up. We go back to the vet on Tuesday.

My arm, by the way is fine, just a bit sore and bruised but nothing compared to what Bertie is going through.

One way and another, it has been quite a week here in Aberdeen!

64 comments:

  1. OMD Bertie! I'm so sorry about your ouchies! I bet you are very sore and tired. I'm sending you POTP and my bestest healing vibes for a fast recovery. Wow, that looks so painful. Hugs to you and your Mom.
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, Pol Comm

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  2. Bertie I sure do wish I was there to purr my healing kitty wishes and love in your ear. I am so very very sorry this happen to my sweet happy bouncing Bertie. Bless your little WFT heart. Your vet care is exceptional and quick and your GAIL is there by your side so I'm confident TLC will have you feeling much more like yourself in a few days. Never fear dear friend we will keep you and your most worried precious Gail in our prayers.
    Madi your bfff

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  3. My poow sweet Bewtie..i am on my way to cum help nuwse you..i will also allewt Lacie and Aggie, my fellow nuwsies..we can take shifts nuwsing you, bwinging you bikkies, showtbwead and tea and fweshen yoow pillows. I am cwossing my paws that you have a pain fwee night
    See you soon, smoochie kisses,Asta

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    1. Your care just HAS to make Bertie (and Gail) feel better. We're glad you are on your way, Asta.

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    2. I just read this as mom was not at her computer post all weekend. If Asta and the nursies are on the case, Bertie will be feeling better soon. Just be a bit cautious with Ms. Lacie. xxxxx JH

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  4. Poor Bertie! It's bad enough being attacked, injured, finding out it's worse than expected and then having to wear the CONE! Give that boy some extra lovin' and TREATS!

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  5. Bertie Lad.... we KNEW you were not Faking the troubles... you are a Stoic one...after all.

    We think it looks as though you have 10 or so Stitches... not counting the one for the drain... Buddy that is a LOT...
    We are SO sorry. We are sending you POTP... We must say we feel a Wee sorry fur poor Gail so how about we send her some POTT.. that's Power of the THUMB...
    Please keep us posted on your Pawgress.
    Paws Crossed fur a speedy recovery.

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  6. Oh Dear Bertie, we are so sorry to hear of this. How scary for you. We send lots of our pug POTP for you and Gail too.
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Angel Greta

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  7. Darling darling boy. We of course just wrote an epic to you and bloggie ate it...We can feel your pain as we have been there( right down to the bite on Gail's arm) I am ironing my nursing uniform as I type and Archie is shining up his tuba( he says it will sound even better on the pain meds. I am afraid you have come to the last chapter of our book.. The Wire Fox Fight. We are terriers man and full of piss and vinegar( Archie says esp piss) and you as a wee Scotsman even more so We will pull you through this and have some TLC for Gail as well I will get some lavender to put on your pillow to help calm you and bring lots of other things as well Tell Gail that Pl2 says try the pet store They might have a softer flatter version of the cone of shame( Archie uses it as a pillow when he has to use it) Open up the door with your cone when your hear the bell I will bring my entire nursing team with me( and maybe a few extras for some poker) Love Aggie and Arch

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  8. Dearest Bertie,

    Your unforeseen altercation with your neigbour on Saturday would have given both you and Gail an enormous shock, then to find she had been hurt (not your fault dear Bertie – we know that you love her with all your heart) and to wake up after a nap at the vets to find you were wearing the dreaded cone!!! You must be feeling very bruised and sore, and so confused about seeing your neigbour again when you go outside your house. The whole thing is so unfair.

    Get well soon Bertie.

    Love and woofs,
    Riley

    PS Even though you didn’t intend to bite the hand (or arm) that feeds you, remind Gail to look after herself too. Insist she go to her own vet if she even suspects there is anything beneath the surface that needs attention more than that smelly Detol stuff, otherwise she might need to wear one of those cone things too - what a sight you both would be! 

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  9. Oh Bertie....we feel for you...and also for your retriever friend....Stan has gone after Scruffy several times...and he has ended up with drains and sutures and looking horribly pitiful. The first two days are the hardest...he will look far better by Tuesday or so....it is impossible to say what set them off. Dogs are animals and the only predictlable thing about them is their unpredictability.

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  10. Blogger just froze and we had to hit publish....perhaps Jake wasn't feeling well that day and was very reactive? We know Scruffy starts ours...Stan just finishes them. It is horrible. As for you biting Gail, Bertie you weren't in your right mind and neither was she, I'm sure! It happens. We are sending you all of our healing wishes...by this time next week, you should be feeling better...drains should be out...and you will have a horrid furcut for a while...

    Tons of terrier wishes!!

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  11. Oh no my poor darling Bertie I nearly fainted when I saw this post. Through the power of the computer I have fallen in love with Bertie and also with you Gail, an ocean may separate us but I consider you both friends. I am sure Bertie will recover and am thinking of you
    retro rover

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  12. Bloggie ate our comment too! Not a bigl loss, but it seems to happen when we use the tablet rather than the lappie.

    SO: Wishes, prayers and POTP on your way. Gussie will be providing transport for the nursies and staying on to help with the poker game. The muzzer is keeping Teka so she doesn't make more trouble.

    Best to you and Gail

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  13. Ih Bertie - we are so sorry you are having to go through this - we know you must be feeling a bit sore and sorrow at the moment but we know with your terrier tenacity you will be be up and bounding across the moors in no time. We have our paws crossed for little buddy and are sending lots of healing vibes. We just hope this incident doesn't make you big dog shy and when you are feeling better it is something Gail need to work on with you....it will be tough but we know you can do it.....by the way congrats or commiserations on Scotland staying as is...we were hoping for it to stay the same.

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  14. Oh Bertie and Gail. We're sorry we did not see this news earlier. We have all paws crossed here in Oz you both heal up quickly. Sorry this happened and it must have been scary for you all. Hope your wounds heal cleanly and you can get rid of your cone Bertie. Gail, we hope your arm feels better too and you are both enjoying those snuggles. Sending you both healing slobber from Rory. Take care mates.
    No worries, and LOVE, Stella and Rory

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  15. Thank you for the update, have been so worried. Hope it heals well.

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  16. OMD Bertie! Dat looks painful. Hope ya are feelin better soon.

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  17. Hari OM
    Strewth. You don't need me adding more than that you are held in heart... both of you. HUGE HEALING HUGS... and wags cuz a smile is great meds too... YAM (aunty) xxx

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  18. Could they put a shunt in the wound to make sure it drains? Poor wee lad, that looks so painful....

    He must be quite traumatized... sending prayers and hugs...

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    1. Nevermind.. we see the shunt... sending lot of Power of the Paw and healing wishes...

      So sorry such a sweet lad had this happen to him...

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  19. Oh my poor Bertie. Wish i could come hang out with you. I would take great care of you but guess i have to leave that to Gail. You are in my thoughts and sending BIG bulldog hugs to you Bertie.

    Wags
    Addi

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  20. Oh dear Bertie and Gail, I am so sorry to hear about the unfortunate scuffle with Jake! I hope that bodies and nerves will quickly be on the mend.

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  21. Went through that same thing a number of years ago and it's so scary. Me and my pack and my Mommy all send Bertie lots of hugs and POTP. Feel better soon, Buddy!

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  22. Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. I am soooo glad you have a competent and thorough V.E.T. How awful for all of you. We have to believe that Bertie is on the road to recovery now ... as painful and long as that may be ... it HAS to be with complete and perfect results. And, dear Gail. we hope you find some pain killers for yourself. Of some sort. This must be horribly difficult.

    We send our love ... and as much patience as the terrier types can muster. It may be a rather long road.

    Take very good care and know how much we care,
    Sally and Jake and Oliver and, from the Bridge, AngelFergi

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  23. Oh my Bertie....it's not quite sporting that Jake got a chunk of you before you even had a chance to defend yoursel! We shall be singing lovely Scottie arroooos for healing....shhhhh....can you hear them on the wind? They will drive out the bad nasty infection and lift your heart to your beloved high lands.
    Bonnie n Kenzie
    Pee esss ...we hate the dreaded cone

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  24. Oh you poor guy! We read the news over at Madi's blog...TONS of get-well purrs coming at you from Las Vegas!

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  25. Bertie! Dude! We're sending you rottie- strength POTP. Feel better soon...

    BART, Ruby and Otto

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  26. Dearest Nephew,It's your Uncle Eric! How's your wigger
    today-is it waggin' yet? My dear boy,I wish I could take some of your pain away for you but thank dog for that excellent Vet and the soothing hands of Gail.Don't worry your square head off about that little incident ...us foxies do get them wires of ours crossed, I know she has forgiven you already but do keep on with the lickin',it's healing and rathe rnice to do eh?I think about you fondly little Bertie and will be upin the zoomer to see you.What say we go pain the town foxy?Meantime I'm sending my very fondest to both you and Gailt to mend lickety spit.Your Uncle Eric

    Pee.s....I left a comment for you last Thursday just in case I was never to be alllowed ove the border again!! One last last night too. That bad blogger ATE it...grrrrrr.

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  27. PAINT the town Bertie .....honestly some servants can't be trusted to do anythin'!!!!

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  28. Sending healing vibes and POTP to Bertie. Poor baby. Get well soon.
    Best wishes Molly

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  29. Bertie I am sending love and healing hugs to both you and Gail. I am sorry that this happened to you. Try to rest and soon you will be feeling your old self. I hope you and Jake can mend your friendship.

    Love Sasha

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  30. Oh Bertie, you poor thing. I bet that hurts a lot. Thank COD the mom rushed you to the vet right away. We sure send lots of purrs, a woof and some hee Haws too.

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  31. I do hope Bertie is better today.. i read the beginning of the story and these things do happen, it happened to us at the vets office, Max was with daddy about to get in the truck when a woman with 2 huskies came out the door and one of her leaped out of her hand and dove on max, hubby was bitten by our max... it was an accident just like yours Bertie. hugs to you and mom. came here from madi

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  32. Hi Bertie, we came overs when we read about you on Madi's blog. I don't know why wesa have not ran into you before. we are so very sorry you got hurted but we know your momma and vet will take very good care of you...hugs from the 3 pugs in iowa....stella rose, Margaret mae, and angus mac

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  33. Madi told us about you to Bertie and we all send you tons of healing purrs and prayers.

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  34. Dear Bertie and Gail, It looks like I'm the last to send you my terrier wishes. We need a global alarum to go off when one of our pals is hurt so we can invoke all the power of the paw immediately. Like my buddies, I too have felt the sharp teeth of my brother and had the shaved fur, aunty bi otics, drain, and silly cone. So don't feel bad that it was your faut or anything. We are animals, man, though we sometimes hate to admit it! I hope that the perp, Jake, and his mom are doing OK too. Keep us posted. We'll be thinking about you and Gail!!!! Just Harry and mom

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  35. We Beaglebratz r Secretaries of Social Netwerking here in Blogville – Shiloh, Lord of the Manor an’Diva Shasta. We thought we wuz followin’u
    BUTT guess it never happened. ANYWAYZ, we wuz over at Frankie’z an’saw your comment where u briefly mentioned u had an injury an’stopped over here tue find out more.
    OH BOY HOWDY! That iz sum kinda hurtin’goin’on there. We hope u r better really fast. We r shure that your Gail KNOWZ u did not mean tue bite her. One time, Shiloh got his paw stuck on the deck flooring, the open space b-tween 2 boardz an’when our mom wuz tryin’tue help git hiz paw unstuck, Shiloh bit our mom’z arm – not tue b mean an’our mom knew that. ANYWAYZ – we iz sendin’our Beagle arooooz (that’z Beagle-speak fer POTP) an’our mom iz prayin’fer u an’Gail tue both of u git all better really fast
    Shiloh - Lord of the Manor an'Diva Shasta

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  36. Oh, Gail & Bertie,

    We're sending healing love, love, love.

    Love,
    Tootsie & Renee

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  37. We are visiting from Madi's blog. Jenna and I are sad to hear about Bertie's ordeal. We hope both of you will heal with no complications.

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  38. Gibbs the Mini Schnauzer sends best wishes from Essex to Bertie for a swift recovery from his awful experience.

    Love From
    Gibbs and Sarah (who helps with the typing!)

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  39. Oh, dear, we are so sorry you have both been injured. Things do happen so quickly. We leave a warm hug for Gail and lots of get well wishes for you both!

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  40. Oh poor Bertie, I feel with you. this wounds can be so deep that only the vet can see the whole disaster. I hope you feel better soon and you haven't to wear that loudspeaker for a long time. I also hope that Gail's arm heals up soon. Sen a big hug to both of you...

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  41. Oh my goodness. We are sending love, hugs and prayers to you
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

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  42. Madi told us about poor Bertie's injury. We are so sorry this happened, but we are so glad you took Bertie to the vet. Those wounds can be so deceiving. We hope that he will heal well and quickly. Hugs to both of you.

    Hugs and Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning and Mom Kathie

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  43. Oh my goodness, we are so sorry to hear this, Bertie and Gail. That must have been so scary! So relieved you are both healing okay, the cone must not be fun at all. Hoping you feel all better very soon. Thank you for your very kind words on Lacci. xo

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  44. We just came from Madi's blog and wanted to send our deepest purrs for a 100% recovery for your dear Bertie and yourself.

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  45. Poor Bertie!!! POTP being sent from all of us here at Dory's Backyard!!! Hope he is back bouncing about very soon!!

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  46. OMD, I can't believe it's that bad! Jake had better apologize to you BIG TIME! I hope you're feeling much better today.

    PeeS: Once you're feeling better, don't act like it! Milk that attention for all it's worth!

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  47. Oh Bertie ! Get better quickly. Sausage and tattie scones are the only cure.

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  48. Poor Bertie! We hope this procedure clears up the infection and heals quickly. Poor pup!! What a terrible experience!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  49. OH DOGGIES, we just read all about the attack. Oh Bertie, we feel so bad and depressed over your injuries, we hope you get well quickly.

    Your Scottish Pals
    The Mad Scots

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  50. We came from Madi's blog to say we're sending purrs and prayers to Bertie. We hope you're both feeling better soon.

    The Florida Furkids

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  51. Bertie my oh my, if Jake treats his friends like this you don't what to become his enemy. I pray you are on the mend and all heals perfectly. Since Jake was in the back and you in the front did you pass wind in his face. Every dog does it – and no one wants to admit it.
    Seriously I pray you heal fast.
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot

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  52. Oh Bertie!! That is just awful dude!! Sorry to hears about your most traumatic walkie. I sure am glads Gail acted fast as a rabbit...RABBIT?? WHERE??! Sorry, I gets distracted....nows, I sure am glads you are on the mend, and that Gail is takin' good care of you and watchin' over you and givin' you anythings you want...
    Gets better soon Bertie!!!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  53. OMC! We are so very very sorry to hear of you and Bertie's trauma! POTP for you both and Mom says you are in her prayers tonight!
    Marty

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  54. So, what's with Blogger? We came to check to see if there was an update from yesterday and realized that our Comment (whatever it was we said) vaporized. Thank dogness lots of our other friends have left well wishes and lots of good advice. We trust things are improving, bit by bit ... though the road may be long. You and Gail take care of each other. We care. A lot.

    Jake and Oliver and Sally and NinaGirlie
    xxxxx

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  55. Oh. My. Dawg. I am so sorry we didn't get over here and see this news earlier. What a fright you've all had!!! We're keeping our paws crossed for a speedy recovery for the both of you!!!

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  56. We are so sorry this has happened to the two of you! We are sending all the POP we have here. (Among the three of us we have 10 paws which will be working for the two of you). We expect to hear of a quick recovery! The shock of a sudden dog fight is a most frightening thing to us as we are sure it was to you. If you have to go back to work tomorrow, can you take Bertie along?
    Our hearts go out to you both! Love and hugs from Jo, Stella nd Zkhat.

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    1. Unfortunately our consultancy has clients from Korea visiting this week, so taking Bertie into work might not be the best idea, in a number of different ways…
      Fortunately, I can come home at lunch time to check up on him.

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  57. Bertie,
    My goodness, I am absolutely beyond worried for you!! What was that Jake thinking to harm a lovely doggie like you! I hope the wound's not too seriously infected, and it's good you got in and out of the vets quickly. Also, is Gail's arm alright? I understand that it must have been really scary for you at that moment in time, so you couldn't help it. Hope it's not too serious and that you'll get better soon!
    Pippa
    P.S. Was this swan vets by any chance? Eve spent a week there in May for work experience and says she was a little confused at why they don't ever cover up the wounds and stitches after an op.

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    1. Hi Pippa, and thanks for your kind words. It was Town and Country vets - we had to go to their emergency weekend surgery at Kingswells.

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    2. Oh well, hope the appointment went well today!!

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