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so much pain today...my baby is in the hospital...

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Posted 8/21/2008 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
yesterday, my lab bit my 8 month old baby on the head. apparently, he punctured her skull and she had to have neurosurgery. she is ok. still at the children's icu, but she is recovering well.

we were at the hospital for 12 hours waiting for everything with the surgery to be ready. i held her the entire time. she was so fussy. in so much pain and hungry too....so, today i am one big tense muscle. i do not know if my body can deal with this. so much stress....bleh.
Posted 8/21/2008 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry that your baby was hurt!  I am thankful that things are looking better for her. 

I know how you are feeling about having a sick baby in the hospital!  Many years ago, my almost 3 month old was admitted for possible menningitis and I thought when they took her away for the spinal tap that I would not be able to handle it.

Try to get a nap!  Do you have a muscle relaxer?  You might want to get some B12 and take it also Magnesium.  Stress tends to eat those two up really quickly.

Please keep us update on how your little one is doing!

Prayers for a speedy recovery. 

Posted 8/21/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Your poor baby.  It's hard to watch your little ones be in pain and not be able to do much  cry .  I'm happy that things will be ok.  You need to rest if that is possible.  Send Dad or someone she trusts to stay with her and try to relax.  Stress is so hard on the body.  If you don't take care of yourself, it will be harder to be there for her.  I will be thinking of all of you.

Meggie

Posted 8/21/2008 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, wow, how horrible!  I'm so glad that your child is recovering nicely but that sure had to be traumatic for you as well as for your baby. 

 

It's so difficult when your children are sick.  Try not to stress over it.  She is on the mend now so try to relax and trust that everything will be fine.  You won't be much help if you are very sick yourself. 

 

Make a copy of these stretching exercises and take them with  you to the hospital.  Here is the link.

 

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=1005178

These are done sitting down so, if you are by your baby's bedside, you can do these to help prevent your muscles from tightening up so much.  I find a hot cup of tea is also relaxing.  

 

Just start thanking God that your baby is fine.  It could have been a whole lot worse.  I'll be praying for a quick recovery.  She will be home before you know it!

 

Sherrine 

Posted 8/21/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I am sooo sorry. I'm glad she is going to be okay. Take care of yourself and get some rest. This is all going to catch up with you.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 8/21/2008 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
ali,

 

I'm so sorry that your baby girl is hurting.  I don't have kids, but seeing or even hearing about kids in pain breaks my heart. cry   When I'm feeling sorry for myself, I always remember that there are kids out there who are in way worse shape than I am.  I mean, I've lived 36 years, and it kills me to know that your 8 month old has to endure that kind of suffering.  I'm a huge advocate for the Make a Wish foundation.

 

Anyway, sorry to babble-you know it's what I do. blush    I really do hope your daughter feels better, soon.  Be sure to take care of yourself, too.  She needs her Mama.  So, take care-both of you.  BTW-please let us know if there's anything we can do to help.

Posted 8/21/2008 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ali, Im sorry to hear appt your baby, you are in our prayers, as the others have been saying, get some rest for your self too. Take care...
Posted 8/22/2008 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Ms Alicat, we are all thinking of your daughter and your family, and most of all YOU. I am very thankful that your daughter tolerated the surgery so well and is recovering. Everyone has stressed that you need to take it easy and try and relax through the stress. I know that is necessary but also very difficult. The times you can step away and spend some time alone, in quiet and solitude- even if for a small amount of time, can help. Don't try and make yourself be perfect during this by "defeating stress". I believe that when others say that all this stress can and may well catch up with you, I also believe that being still and knowing that you are drawing strength from yourself, is in itself a stress defeater. Give yourself credit for being able to handle what you are dealing with. Recognizing that you are beating the trauma should give you confidence that you CAN handle this and that makes you stronger. I'm not sure if this is making sense, I am having a bad word/aphasia day, but you are dealing well and that is a positive! In prayer for you and your daughter and family. Peace be with you.
Posted 8/22/2008 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
thanks to all of you....i really appreciate all the comments and i have taken them all to heart.....

it's all just kinda hitting me now. i am so sad. honestly. my heart is breaking. my most loving caring gentle lab bit my baby....i just can't believe it.

i am so grateful that she is okay. grateful that i was blessed with experienced doctors who caught the concussion that entered the brain right away....

i just do not know what to do about my dog....i want for him to understand what he did, but i do not think he does.....and i cannot trust him around her ever again......it just breaks my heart. i keep thinking he will have to be put down. i have no idea what else to do. keep him outside for the rest of his life????

both sides of this have such a great impact on my emotional state....i finally was able to cry just now....before that i was just numb....i wondered if i would ever recover and have feelings again.....


cry
Posted 8/22/2008 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Glad your baby is ok but the stress physical and mental would be terrible for you, I would go to doc and ask for more meds, muscle relaxant or anxiety pills and stress that its just temporary for a couple of weeks. If youve got them handy then take them as needed, after that anyone would need extra help. cry cry :-) :-)     suez2
Posted 8/22/2008 4:22 AM (GMT 0)

Dear Ali,

I am a true dog lover, well, okay, I am nuts about my dogs, so I really can understand what you are going through. I do not mean to minimize what happened to your baby, that is tragic, just awful. In reading the posts, I couldn't help but wonder what to do about your lab. I have always had Golden Retrievers, so I can relate to your Lab. They are wonderful animals, so sweet and gentle. What a shock for that to happen. Sadly, I think I would feel the same as you, how can you ever trust him/her again? I really feel for you. You might want to call a Lab rescue organization, just to talk to someone there. Instead of considering putting your Lab down, maybe you could place him through the rescue group, with someone with no kids? Just trying to help you. My thoughts are with you, and prayers...

Miriam

Posted 8/22/2008 11:49 AM (GMT 0)

Alicat,

Your feelings are understandable.  You love your dog but can't trust it anymore.  I don't think putting the dog down is necessary but I do think that your dog needs a new home.  Maybe someone you know (someone without kids) can take your dog.  You would still be able to see it and your baby would be safe.  I hope you find a solution that you can feel ok about.  I will continue to pray for you and your family.

Meggie

Posted 8/22/2008 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
Ali, I'm an animal lover too.  Is  your lab a puppy?  Did your lab do this viciously or was he playing?  Sometimes, especially with the big dogs, they don't know their own strength and the accident happens.  If this was the case with your lab, maybe you could teach him to stay away from your daughter.  When he approaches her you can say "No".  Or you can have him wear a muzzle for a time.  Just a thought...

 

Sherrine

 

   

Posted 8/22/2008 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Ali, I thought about the dog yesterday but didn't think it was the time to bring it up. Were you in the room when he bit the baby??? I know they do behavior test on dogs before putting them up for adoption and children are one thing they test. If he has shown no other aggression I would place him in a home with no small children but let the new owners know what happened.

 

I know this has to be very hard for you.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 8/22/2008 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Morning Ali,

 

I hope you were able to get a decent night sleep.  Your mind will be a bit clearer today, that will help you put everything into perspective.  I am with the others here as to you trying to remember the events leading up to your dog biting your baby. Dont make any quick decisions yet.  If you truly feel you can never trust the dog again (I think I wud be leaning that way too :(

Dont do anything rash, you havent said how old the dog is, or if you were there when it happened.  We had a retriever too, she was about 5 when we got her.  In time, we found that the kids couldnt play with her if my hubby or I werent in the room with her.  She would nip at the kids, but they were old enough to talk to about not bothering her so much one on one, she was better at being in the yard and playing catch with them etc.  If any of my kids were infants at the time, I would not have kept her either.  I would have taken out an ad and given her to a free home. (thats how we got her) 

 

I know this will be an emotional day for you, Just know we are all here for you.

 

Hugs, Diane

 

Posted 8/22/2008 2:18 PM (GMT 0)

So sorry to hear about your little one- How is she doing today?

Ali- I'm with Sherrine on your Lab. Don't know the whole story- did he snap at her? Was it an accident? My granddog is a Lab and he is the sweetest dearest dog. I love him to pieces. I have 2 granddaughters, 3 year old and a 3 month old and he is around both of them all the time. Because of his size (104 pounds) he will accidently knock the 3yr. old over once in awhile and he is not careful when we are going up and down the stairs.

With a 'big" dog in your household, with little ones you do have to watch them more than an average size dog. Even his tail can be a weapon. My son, myself, and my daughter-in-law talked about this before the babies were born and we take extra precautions.

It will be up to you, but please take some time to think this through. GamJill

Posted 8/22/2008 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
ali,

 

I hope things are going well for you and your baby girl.  I can't imagine the stress this has brought on you. cry

 

Yeah, about the dog-I didn't want to mention anything about that yesterday, either.  I am no expert, but being a vet tech for over 17 years, I have seen my share of this happening.  Obviously, the most important thing is to make sure your baby is safe.  And, even if this never happens again, this will always be in  the back of your mind.  I strongly suggest that you find a animal behavior specialist in your area.  I don't know where you live, but you'd be surprised how many are out there, and some will do phone consultations (although it is much better for the specialist to be there in person).

 

Also, once you calm down and can really think about what exactly happened when your dog bit her, you may realize why he did it.  There are so many reasons he could have done it-jealousy, playing too hard, he was being protective of her-there's so many reasons-including no real reason.

 

Anyway, that's just my unsolicited opinion, LOL.  BTW-depending on the state you live in, there are usually animal behavior specialists at the Veterinary Schools.  If you'd like, I may be able to point you in the right direction.  Like I said before, let me know if I can help in any way. :-)

 

Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. yeah

Posted 8/22/2008 3:39 PM (GMT 0)

Hoping that you are feeling better!!

I have volunteered with an Ohio Boxer rescue for many years.

A "legitimate" rescue will NOT take in a dog with a bite history. The liability is one that they can't afford.

That being said, there are many issues that need to be addressed as to WHY the dog bit. What was happening proceeding the bite? Did anyone witness it? Could the dog be ill or in any pain that would offer an explanation as to it's NEW behavior?

The dog has NO idea what it did. There is no way for you or anyone else to make it understand that what happened longer than 10 seconds ago was an unwanted behavior.

In all honesty you will probably NEVER trust this dog again like you once did. That is a perfectly normal response to what happened but terribly UNFAIR to the dog. Probably best to rehome it to a family with older children or NO children but you have to be honest with them. At minimum I would suggest a behaviorist. You said this has never happened before. Dogs don't just "snap". There is always a reason for every action. The trouble is going to be deciding if you want to find out what it was and then work towards it not happening again.

A bite is FAR different than an attack. I'm not implying that one is a less forgivable offense but bites tend to be warnings just like some dogs snarl, growl or bark to warn. Some go straight for the bite. They don't have bite inhibition. OR the other warnings were tried and they didn't get a response and continued with their more hurtful warning. So many variables to consider as to what prompted the bite. Please keep us posted.

Posted 8/22/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
thanks again to everyone...

i do not have a lot of time right now because i have to work tonight.

i know i didn't give details earlier, so i will now...

harry is a 6 year old lab/setter mix. never a history of biting. never offered a growl or a snarl....

we were all sitting here in the living room. amelie was on the floor and so was harry. she crawled up next to him. i looked at them because i always have an eye on them when they are close to each other. he just went right at her head and was making that knashing sounds you hear when dogs fight each other.

i screamed and grabbed him by the scruff to remove him from her. she was crying and screaming and bleeding everywhere.

i immediately grab her car seat and ran out the door to the hospital.

i contacted the ASPCA by email and this is the response i got: (much like yours luvmyboxer)


Hi A,

We strongly recommend that you commit to working with your dog's behavior issues rather than give him up. To put it bluntly, in a shelter setting, a large 6-year-old dog with a biting issue is unlikely to be adopted. Please consider saving his life by getting him the help he needs to be a healthy member of your family again.

We urge you to make an appointment with a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), a veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT). Please call The Association of Pet Dog Trainers at (800) PET-DOGS for a referral to someone in your area who can help.

Best of luck to all of you,
-The ASPCA



harry has an appt with his vet on monday. she is a behavioural specialist. hopefully she will have some suggestions for us.

amelie is doing really well. she has all the nurses wrapped around her little finger. they just love her. she's feeling fine too. they are just keeping her to make sure no infection occurs....

that's all for now.....will write more later
Posted 8/22/2008 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
This is good news!  I'm so glad your baby is doing so well and I'm glad that you had the presence of mind to contact the ASPCA.  You were given good advice.  I'll pray for a great ending for all concerned...including Harry.

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/23/2008 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Alicat, my heart just aches for you. It is so hard to see your child hurt or sick, but even worse with a baby. I am so glad that your dd is doing so well, what a little trooper. How strange about the dog though, labs are usually so gentle. I hope you can come up with a solution that you will rest easy with, difficult as that will be. (((HUGS)))
Posted 8/23/2008 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Alicat, I missed your post yesterday but want you to know that you and your little one will be in my prayer.  I know you must have gone through so much trying to make a decision like that.  I'm sure everything is going to be okay.  Just take care of yourself too.

 

God Bless!

Shannon

Posted 8/23/2008 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Ali-
Happy to hear your daughter is doing well, that is a relief! And that you may get some explanations on Monday about Harry's behavior. Let us know- GamJill
Posted 8/26/2008 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
alright folks-

amelie is still doing well...she's so resilent! 35 stitches on her head and she is still as busy as ever...i follow after her everywhere because i'm afraid she will fall and hit her head on the wound....

here goes.....

harry's vet said that he was deemed to be a dog who IS NOT aggressive....she also said that she was shocked to hear he did what he did....

all thru the exam he was submissive and everything proved to be fine with his ears and other health checks...

she also said that in her opinion, harry saw the baby as a puppy and a submissive one....she thought that maybe since amelie had only been crawling a short time that harry was a bit spooked by her being on the floor and moving quite fast as compared to her always being carried around previously...there are two facets to that....before she was above him when being held, then suddenly she is on the floor and moving around on all fours(like a puppy)...

that's the jist of it....i wanted to fill you all in before we go to bed....

i'm sure i will think of more info to post tomorrow....
Posted 8/26/2008 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad she didn't get an infection and is doing fine.

 

What the vet said makes sense but how are you going to raise her status in the pack to dominate him??? I know I've seen something like that on the Dog Whisperer but can't remember what they did.

 

It is very sad that this happened for the baby and the dog.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

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