Pip Squeak's Dog Attack Medical $

Sunday August 17, 8pm my little dog Pip Squeak (Jack Russell and Miniature Schnauzer mix) dug under my back fence and got attacked by a pack of 3 dogs: 2 German Shepherds and a terrier mix. (I’m new to Bastrop County, I had only been here 4 months when this horrible attack happened) Pip was in bad shape I drove an hour to the nearest Emergency Animal Hospital in Austin that was open, after a 3 hour surgery which involved tons of cleaning and more stiches then I was able to count.

When I picked him up Monday morning he needed post op care for the week, I took him to the vet I had used for over 18 years. If only I had known the quality of care they would give him…it makes me angry at myself that I was so trusting and stupid…

That night I was back at the Emergency, Pip had been crying for hours and nothing I did helped him. He had to pee and wouldn’t pee on the pee pads in the house because Pip is such a good dog. His original surgeon put him on pain meds and antibiotics.

Tuesday I took him back to my vet and showed them how you had to hold his butt and take him outside so he could pee and the Emergency sent them over very specific instructions. By Wednesday Pip Squeak was smelling a little funny and I mentioned it to the vet and they attacked like it was no big deal. By Friday I made them put my concerns in writing and when I picked him up they said we cleaned all the wounds and decided to put him on a second antibiotic. When cleaning the wounds they had ripped out some of his stiches and he was smelling and looking bad.

Saturday I’m back at the Emergency and Pip Squeak has his second operation where part of his back left hind leg muscle is removed and they leave 3 of the wounds on his hind leg open and pack them with honey bandages.

Monday I take Pip to West Lynn Veterinary Clinic (Emergency recommended them) and they are wonderful!   They called in a wound specialist and Pip had his third operation, they had to leave his wounds open so they could drain and kept him every day for a week while I was at work. I had to start doing hydrotherapy with Pip every other day while his wounds healed. It took about 3 weeks.

When I begin to think all is well he stops eating again and starts crying in pain poor little dude now had an abscess on his left hip and he needs a fourth operation, they culture the fluid and it shows that he has a Staph Infection which he needs specially order antibiotics for and the infection can be transferred to humans. It is now October 6 and I’m at home writing this as I wait for a call so I can go pick up Pip’s meds.

At this point I’m out about $7000 on Pip Squeak’s medical bills and I make my living as an starving artist/sculptor, if you are interested in seeing my work go to www.cheryldlatimer.com.

This is not easy for me to ask, it would be great if you can help Pip Squeak and myself out but I truly understand that times are tight for everyone.

Thank you!