Claim of the Month: Dog Fight Wounds

Pets: Benny and Cooper,* two four-year-old male Dominican Potcake Dogs

The Tale of Benny and Cooper

Family dinner sometimes gets heated! Benny and Cooper are normally the best of buds, but not everyone likes to share food.

These adopted brothers got into quite the altercation after one pup tried to sneak a snack from his brother’s plate. Benny sustained deep bite wounds on his face and neck. Cooper did not get away unscathed. He also had punctures and lacerations on his legs and feet.

Of course, these things always seem to happen during the wee hours of a weekend. Benny and Cooper’s quick-thinking and dedicated family drove them a long distance in the middle of the night to get to the nearest available emergency veterinarian.

On arrival, the veterinary team assessed their wounds and determined that both dogs would need anesthesia and surgery to repair the damage.

About the Condition: Bite/Fight Wounds

Animal bite wounds are nothing to take lightly. This trauma can cause punctures, lacerations, bruising, and blood loss, which can be life-threatening. The hooked shape of most animals’ canine teeth can create wounds that are often more serious than they appear on the surface. Furthermore, teeth are the perfect instruments to introduce bacteria and debris under the skin, leading to serious infections and abscesses.

Treatment

First, veterinarians need to gather as much information about the health of a bite victim as possible. They will run bloodwork to evaluate the degree of blood loss and the general health of the patient. They may also use imaging tools like X-rays or ultrasounds to check for internal bleeding, broken bones, or damage to airways and internal organs.

The pet’s hair needs to be shaved to locate and clean all punctures and lacerations. Pain control and anesthesia are usually required to evaluate how deep the wounds extend below the surface.

In surgery, veterinarians work to stop any active bleeding by ligating or cauterizing blood vessels. Wounds are thoroughly cleaned and flushed with saline or antiseptic solution. The damaged tissues are carefully sutured, and sometimes surgical drains are needed to promote healing and reduce the chance of infection.

Finally, bandages may be applied. Pain medication, antibiotics, and “cones of shame” are sent home to keep patients safe and comfortable through the recovery period.

Both Benny and Cooper required surgery to repair their wounds and overnight hospitalization as they recovered from anesthesia.

Claim Outcome 

Emergency veterinary care to treat Benny and Cooper’s wounds would have set their family back over $6,600 in a single night. Fortunately, Pets Plus Us Accident plans had each dog covered. Their owners were reimbursed $5,100** of those fees.

Boys, we hope you’re feeling brotherly love again!

Learn more about our Accident plan.