Big and little dogs both lose in attacks.

Big and little dogs both lose in attack
By Dr. Henri Bianucci and Dr. Perry Jameson
Pet Docs
Sunday, August 7, 2011

I’m in my kitchen, again surrounded by my eight dogs, reflecting on a very sad day at work.

Oliver (not his real name) entered my sphere two days ago. I was at the emergency clinic, doing my weekend morning rounds, when his arrival made an indelible impression upon us all. The scene was horrific. His owners carried him in, an older couple, stained with blood and terribly upset. Oliver had been mauled by a large, aggressive dog that lived next door.

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Pet Docs Dr. Perry Jameson and Dr. Henri Bianucci

Oliver was an adorable looking little dog, like a black Pomeranian with a recent summer haircut. He was about 9 years old and was in shock. He had several cuts and a portion of his intestines was exposed. He needed emergency surgery.

I spoke with his owner prior to surgery and I was so touched by what he said.

“A lot of people would just put him to sleep right now, but not me. I told my wife if there’s a chance, I want to try and I don’t care if costs $10,000, I have to try.”

I advised him that the situation was critical and the prognosis was guarded. I told him it would not cost anywhere near $10,000 and I agreed that I, too, would want to try.

Surgery went very well. Overall, the damage was slightly less than what I had expected to find. For two days, we managed his pain and monitored his progress, and each day things improved. Then, suddenly, Oliver went into cardiac arrest and died.

His owners were devastated.

They described how Oliver had strayed onto the other dog’s property and was attacked. Oliver initially escaped and as the wife tried to intervene, she was knocked to the ground. Oliver retreated to his yard but was pursued and again caught. He was violently shaken before his owners finally wrested him away from the other dog.

In the veterinary world, this situation is known as “big dog-little dog syndrome.” It is recognized as a major problem and a frequent diagnosis in our emergency clinic. The “little dog” is not the only loser in these encounters. The “big dog” owners are often very distraught by the harm their dogs have caused.

If you have a small dog, you must be aware of the temperament of larger dogs it may encounter and avoid chance encounters with un-

known dogs. When around large dogs at the dog park, doggie day care, or even if left at home with larger housemates, small dogs are potentially at risk.

It seems that these incidents occur most commonly in one of two ways.

There are the aggressive, seemingly unprovoked, attacks from a large uncontrolled dog. These dogs often have a history of aggressive behavior.

Then, there are the attacks by dogs that, up to that point, were considered friends. These attacks are often spawned by competition for toys, food, space or attention. Sometimes it’s not clear what the actual trigger was.

What we do know is that the attacks occur in a flash and the damage inflicted is often severe or fatal. Be aware that leaving big dogs alone with little dogs may be risky, and if you do so, be sure not to leave possible objects of contention, such as toys or food, which may provoke a fight.

Be careful at feeding time or when giving treats as these are hot flash points and have preceded many a visit to the emergency room.

So keep your little ones safe by using good judgment when mixing big dogs with little dogs.

Garden Sprouts: a nature series for toddlers and their parents at Hazel Parker Playground

Toddlers will learn about gardening and nature through cooperative play and sharing time.   Each class will include a lesson with songs and stories, a nature walk, parachute play, and an insect or animal interaction.   Our one of kind indoor play area has four stations: a farmer’s market, an indoor gardening area, educational puzzles and blocks, and an art center. This is not a drop off class.  Payment includes one child aged 18 months to 3 yrs and an adult chaperone.  Infant siblings welcome.

Dates:  Nov 1, 8, 15, 29 from 9:30am-10:15am

Garden Shoots: a nature series for preschoolers and their parents at Hazel Parker Playground

Toddlers will learn about gardening and nature through cooperative play and sharing time.   Each class will include a lesson with songs and stories, a nature walk, parachute play, and an insect or animal interaction.   Our one of kind indoor play area has four stations: a farmer’s market, an indoor gardening area, educational puzzles and blocks, and an art center. This is not a drop off class.  Payment of $40.00 includes one child aged 2-5 years and an adult chaperone.  Infant “in arms” siblings welcome. Please visit www.charlestonparksconservancy.org

Dates:  Nov 1, 8, 15, 29 from 1:15pm-2:00pm

Feeling Crabby? Beat the Blues in Daniel Island

Get the family out in the sunshine with Charleston Parks Conservancy for a nature walk and crab talk at Daniel Island Waterfront Park and Trails. Get up close and personal with blue crabs, South Carolina’s “beautiful swimmers”. Learn about the salt marsh and net fiddler crabs. Suitable for children aged 4-10. Registration includes one child and one adult. This is not a drop off class.  Meet at the fishing pier on Daniel Island Waterfront Park and Trails (across from 101 River Landing Drive). $10 per adult/child pair, $10 each additional child. Note:  There is no public bathroom at this park.  Please use the public restroom at Etiwan Park  at 453 Seven Farms Drive (across from Bishop England High School) before arriving. Registration will close Monday, Nov. 7.  Please make sure we have your cell phone number on your registration form.  In case of inclement weather, we will call you one hour prior to the event.

History and Hot Chocolate Bicycle Tour of Daniel Island

 

Join the Charleston Parks Conservancy for a historical bicycle tour of Daniel Island on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 3pm to 4:30pm. Daniel Island, the childhood home of master blacksmith Phillip Simmons, has a rich history in the timber, brick making, lime, and truck farming industries.  The tour will have breaks at the Lesesne graveyard and at the Conservancy’s pocket garden in Etiwan Park.  Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and up.  $10 per participant in advance or $15 day of event (checks only day of).  Meet at 3:00pm at Waterfront Park and trails, across from 101 River Landing Drive, Daniel Island.  To pay by check in advance, contact Mary Horton at mhorton@charlestonparksconservancy.org.

Learn to Crab at Daniel Island Waterfront Park Pier

Did you know that fall is the best season to catch blue crabs in South Carolina?  Learn to crab with the Charleston Parks Conservancy and enjoy some R&R before the holidays.  Each participant will recieve a drop net to use and take home after the class.  We’ll supply the bait.  Our class will be catch and release, but if you’d like to take home your crabs (greater than 5 inches), please bring a cooler with ice or a bucket.  $20 per partipant.  Contact Mary Horton at mhorton@charlestonparksconservancy.org for a family rate.

Greater Charleston Fine Art Festival

Experience the most amazing and exquisite collection of hand-crafted original artwork created by over 100 of the nations top artisans as Patriot’s Point and Mount Pleasant host the inauguration of the Greater Charleston Fine Art Festival on October 29-30, 2011. Find that perfect piece for your home, your office, and your life from over 10,000 pieces of extraordinary original art, including works by painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, digital artists, glass, fiber and ceramic artists along with creations in mixed-media, metal, and wood – and more!

 

Stroll the beautiful and historic grounds of the Patriot’s Point and the USS Yorktown as autumn unfolds over the spectacular reaches of Cooper River and coastal South Carolina.  As you walk the festival, know that each artist was selected by a jury of fine art professionals for the quality and originality of their artwork and that many of these nationally- and internationally-acclaimed artists are represented in major museums and prestigious private collections throughout the world. Meet the artists that created the artwork, learn how they became artists and discuss how your specific piece was made – adding inestimable value to each purchase.  Artists are available throughout the event. 

 

The art festival opens Saturday October 29th with hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and continues Sunday October 30th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the festival is free.  Parking at Patriot’s Point is $5 with additional free parking outside Patriot’s Point. The festival is directed by Paragon Fine Art Events, the premier organizer of fine art festivals in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.

Garden in the Parks: Simonton Park

*Learn what you need to be doing in your own garden. Local garden professionals will be on hand to answer questions.
*Meet at Simonton Park on Morris Street downtown from 9am-11am
*We need you to bring your own tools:PRUNERS,weeders,bucket and gloves.
*E-mail Paul Wentz at pwentz@charlestonparksconservancy.org or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy office at 843-724-5003 and let us know you are coming.
*Please pass the word to your friends.  There is enough fun here to spread around to all!

Garden in the Parks: Marion Square

*We will be working in the rectangular planting beds throughout Marion Square. Learn about the park, the horticulture in this historic park and assist in making this a beautiful place to be in Charleston!

*Meet at the Calhoun St./King St. corner of the park.

*Volunteer time: 8am-10am

*Bring: PRUNERS, garden gloves, weeder and a garden bucket.

*Let us know you are coming by e-mailing Paul Wentz or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy office at 843-724-5003.

Garden in the Parks: Cannon Park

*Learn the “how to” basics of planting and what you need to be doing in your own garden this time of year. Local garden professionals will be on hand to answer questions.

*Meet at the Columns in Cannon Park

*Volunteer time 8am-10am

*Don’t show up empty handed. We need you to bring your own tools: pruners, weeders, bucket and gloves. We will provide the big tools!

*E-mail Paul Wentz or call the Charleston Parks Conservancy office at 843-724-5003 and let us know you are coming.

*Please pass the word to your friends.  There is enough fun here to spread around to all who can come help!

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