This is why our visit was cut short...
Riley before:
Riley
is running back and forth having the time of his life. As I was
alternating between watching the kids and dogs play, I glance back at
Riley only to notice the back of his one paw is bleeding. He is back
to unearthing underwater rocks paying no attention that he is hurt and
bleeding (i think he has enough of focused, obsessed border collie in
him that causes this) or to me calling him. Finally I was able to get
him out of the water and to come to me.
It
was bleeding bad enough that I couldn't see what part was cut. I
thought he might have scraped his paw pad since he has done that
before. The bleeding wasn't slowing down at all. I had to call the
kids and we hurriedly packed up and headed back to the car. Riley
didn't even notice he was bleeding and leaving a trail of bloody
pawprints the 1/4 mile or so to the car.
In
the car he noticed he was bleeding and began to lick his paw. I put a
doll blanket that was floating around in the car underneath his paw to
catch some of the blood. It slowed down slightly and I quickly drove
home. Away from the excitement of the park, I think Riley noticed he
was hurt because he wouldn't walk up the porch steps. I had to go down
and then carry him up. His paw started to bleed again when I set him
on the porch to open the front door. I carried him into the kitchen,
set him down and got somethings together to wash out his paw. Riley is
usually pretty docile and he had no problem letting me clean his cut.
I
took that picture with my cell phone so I could send it to Rick so he
could see what it looked like. It's about an inch or so long and
fairly deep. Deeper than any cut I've ever had. I was worried it
might need stitches, but with him off of his feet it stopped bleeding.
I called the vet and they said to just keep an eye on it. If it starts
bleeding again (or starts to look infected in a few days) to give them
a call. I cleaned it out a little more and then bandaged him up a
little. I think he's a little depressed that he got hurt.
Riley after:
The
kids are both very worried for him and they have been sneaking him
little treats and things ever since we got home. Riley appreciates the
extra affection. I think it soothes his ruffled pride at not being as
tough as he thought he was!
