my 5 month old puppy got bitten by a huge saint bernard, should i take any action?

Question

my 5 month old border collie and i were just in the park, and he had an encounter with this huge saint bernard who started biting him a lot and wouldnt let go of him, he cried a lot during the moment, but when i checked him he didnt have any blood or wounds or anything, he was just covered in st bernard slobber, but should i have him checked by the vet or anything?

another problem is that the vet is closed by now (saturday afternoon), and it doesnt open on sundays, so im gonna have to wait till monday :S :S :S

well, the st bernard had 2 owners, a guy and his girlfriend, but the girl had the dog on the leash, but she was dumb and weak, so the dog totally pulled her with him

Answer 1

have your vet take a look at him just to be sure; how and why did your puppy get within distance of an unknown dog? If you are not familiar with the dogs and behavior , stay clear since a puppy can be annoying to an older dog; where were the owners ? If there was no puncture, blood and the puppy is active and moving and eating okay and appears to be fine; I would say probably he is okay; if a st. bernard wanted to hurt him, he would have; I have heard my puppies squeal when their Mom reprimanded them and today when they play wrestle ; if he really wanted to hurt him, he would have; sometimes we can't interpret animal behavior; if there is any question, there are emergency clinics or answering service for your vet?

Answer 2

Is the dog showing any other unusual behavior. Is it limping, is it standing and shivering like it doesn't want to move. are its gums pale. does it wince when you touch it. Make sure you do a very thorough check from nose to tail. and watch your dog closely. if it doesn't show any signs of stress, then i wouldn't take it to the vet unless you think that you should. Not having seen the st bernards behavior. it could have just been mothering the dog or trying to restrain it as a mama dog would it's pup. Your dog could have been crying as a sign of submissive ness to the st bernard. It is amazing how rough dogs can be with each other without doing any damage, but in the same token, if it is a serious altercation. one bite can do considerable damage. I would make sure you have the other dogs owners information in case you do notice a problem with your dog so they can pay for the vet bills.
You know your dog. keep a close eye on it for the next few days and if you see any symptoms of it being in pain.... then get it to the vet.

Answer 3

Check the puppy over for injuries, but if there is no break in the skin, and he seems to be walking and playing and everything normally, he should be fine. If you're still worried, it's best to be on the safe side and take him to the vet.

About any action you should take, I'm not sure. Personally, I would just let it be, but maybe it's because I am so utterly opposed to the putting-down of dogs (under any circumstance). You seem like a decent person, so I would not expect you to actually want this dog to be killed, and my fear is, if you went to the authorites or the pound, they'll classify the dog as dangerous. The only reason I see to take action would be if your dog was injured, then it would be an issue. But maybe the St. Bernard thought he was just playing or something. I'm wondering how you couldn't have just walked away? Surely, someone so excited to take action on a dog that 'bit' your puppy would have tried to get the dog away from their own?

Answer 4

If you want to be on the safe size, have your dog checked by a vet in case there is muscle damage. But if you feel that you're dog is doing fine, then skip it.

Is there a regulation in the park that all dogs must be on leashes? If there is, and the St. Bernard wasn't on a leash, the dog's owner will be responsible for any damage done to your dog by his dog.

Answer 5

definitely a vet. He could have internal damage. Also, maybe you could find the owner of the St. Bernard and talk to them about keeping their dog on a leash, he's a danger to the park.

Answer 6

Hurry my 6 month old cocker spaniel was attacked by a saint bernard german shepherd mix and it sustained internal injuries take it to a vet as soon as possible. I took my dog to an emergency veterinarian which was open on the weekends.

Answer 7

YES! Dogs can't tell you if something hurts and don't becasue in their life as a predator they would become the prey if they did show a weakness!
I am very sure you new puppy is sore. I work for a vet that uses Chinese medicine and we give something called 'body sore' for any case such as this.
Your puppy may have internal damage such as a slow bleed which won't show right away. Possibly edema that could casue problems if left unchecked.
I also would report this dog to animal control. This dog may have done this before!

Answer 8

There are emergency vet hospitals open on weekends. Check your phone book or call information from your phone. Any time your dog gets bitten you should take them to a vet, there could be internal injuries you cannot see. Also try an animal welfare some are open on weekends.

Answer 9

If the skin is not broken he should be just fine. If he has no limps,whining continuously is another sign he is OK. St.Bernard's are a type of dog that doesn't know it's own size. Your doggie may have felt threatend more than hurt by it.
But for piece of mind if you'd like take him to be safe, but judging by what you have said he seems ok.

Answer 10

if the other dog didn't break the skin and your pet is up to date on shots, your pet should be OK. If there is a bite wound, then i would take you pet to the vet, just because of the chance of infection that can lead to an abscess.