Keeps 403 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Yesterday was one of those days when you shouldn't get from under the duvet. It started alright, a nice early start. It was a really cold morning, although it had warmed up at home, the wind was up and the ground still icy at our destination - the windchill made it feel bitterly cold. There has to be some truth in the fact that bunnies don't bolt well in the wind, yesterday was one of those days, and 3 five foot digs later my husband would agree with that The dogs were working well and catching those that did bolt, some of them spectacularly, which I didnt manage to capture on camera; a combination of shivvering and shaking too much, one of the darkest days we have been out, and just watching what was going on = not very good action piccies. We were doing ok, and had bagged about 10 bunnies by noon, quite a few in a mad 10 minute spate shortly before. Then disaster struck. A rabbit bolted downhill, towards a willow tree and next to that some cut down willow stumps. Well you've guessed it. Indie was moving to the left trying to corner the rabbit which pushed nuala over the stumps. Next we heard the stomach-flipping squeal, she stopped, still shouting, looked back at the rabbit, trying to carry on, and then back at me. She came screaming back - I checked over her, looking for broken bones, when I noticed a very large tear on her hind leg, from half way down towards her abdomen, it was very big, open and gaping/flapping about, not at all good As soon as we managed to get the ferret out we packed up and made our way back - having to lift nuala over all the fences, though she did manage to walk back very sorrowfully. On the way back I phoned the vets and arranged to go directly there. Just to add the icing on the cake, the exhaust fell off the car, completely, on the way back :wacko: like I said one of those days you should stop under the duvet. Nuala had surgery last night, it was worse than the vet originally thought, and as cost a fair bit more than the original quote, as the wound was quite complex, a difficult area and very gaping. But she's worth every penny of that and more. We had hoped to get out this next week with her to do some lamping, once the ground thawed out but nuala's working season has sadly come to a very abrupt halt. Is unlikely she will be fit enough to recover for this season. She was doing so well, improving every time we took her out, but hopefully be back in action at the end of the year. It could have been a lot worse, at least it didnt involved her abdomen, and there were no bones broken, hopefully she is now on the mend. Heres a few pics, before it all went wrong the collie coming out in him thought this one had got away but it hadnt, soon claimed by indie, though it was most definitely nuala's catch waiting for a bolt the last fateful run a few very expensive rabbits poor Nuala - hopefully on the mend Quote Link to post
helloboss 1 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 i hate days like that!! :no: poor dog!! Quote Link to post
lurchergrrl 1,441 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Excellent write up and pics Keeps, thanks for sharing that Sorry about your bitch tho and I hope she mends really well for you. Quote Link to post
k94v 12 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Yesterday was one of those days when you shouldn't get from under the duvet. It started alright, a nice early start. It was a really cold morning, although it had warmed up at home, the wind was up and the ground still icy at our destination - the windchill made it feel bitterly cold. There has to be some truth in the fact that bunnies don't bolt well in the wind, yesterday was one of those days, and 3 five foot digs later my husband would agree with that The dogs were working well and catching those that did bolt, some of them spectacularly, which I didnt manage to capture on camera; a combination of shivvering and shaking too much, one of the darkest days we have been out, and just watching what was going on = not very good action piccies. We were doing ok, and had bagged about 10 bunnies by noon, quite a few in a mad 10 minute spate shortly before. Then disaster struck. A rabbit bolted downhill, towards a willow tree and next to that some cut down willow stumps. Well you've guessed it. Indie was moving to the left trying to corner the rabbit which pushed nuala over the stumps. Next we heard the stomach-flipping squeal, she stopped, still shouting, looked back at the rabbit, trying to carry on, and then back at me. She came screaming back - I checked over her, looking for broken bones, when I noticed a very large tear on her hind leg, from half way down towards her abdomen, it was very big, open and gaping/flapping about, not at all good As soon as we managed to get the ferret out we packed up and made our way back - having to lift nuala over all the fences, though she did manage to walk back very sorrowfully. On the way back I phoned the vets and arranged to go directly there. Just to add the icing on the cake, the exhaust fell off the car, completely, on the way back :wacko: like I said one of those days you should stop under the duvet. Nuala had surgery last night, it was worse than the vet originally thought, and as cost a fair bit more than the original quote, as the wound was quite complex, a difficult area and very gaping. But she's worth every penny of that and more. We had hoped to get out this next week with her to do some lamping, once the ground thawed out but nuala's working season has sadly come to a very abrupt halt. Is unlikely she will be fit enough to recover for this season. She was doing so well, improving every time we took her out, but hopefully be back in action at the end of the year. It could have been a lot worse, at least it didnt involved her abdomen, and there were no bones broken, hopefully she is now on the mend. Heres a few pics, before it all went wrong the collie coming out in him thought this one had got away but it hadnt, soon claimed by indie, though it was most definitely nuala's catch waiting for a bolt the last fateful run a few very expensive rabbits poor Nuala - hopefully on the mend sorry to here that just bad luck hope she gets ok in a week or two Quote Link to post
olliedakennard 0 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Some cracking pics there mate, very sorry to hear about youre dog hope she recovers quickly but i am glad to see what you said about her being worth every penny and more it shows you are a real dog man..... Quote Link to post
Lurcherlovr 0 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Poor Nuala, I hope that she recovers quickly. Quote Link to post
chartpolski 23,046 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Hope she makes a full recovery, Jan. You know she's a favourite of mine; and it's a sad fact that it is only dogs that are actualy working that get these types of injury ! Cheers. Quote Link to post
nighteyes 275 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 good post hope your dog recovers quickly for ya Quote Link to post
Guest ferret feller Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 part and pacel of a working dog mate be thankfull she didnt hit a tree or something atb ff Quote Link to post
Hollie 21 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Oh dear, poor girl, that looks painful Hope she makes a speedy recovery. Quote Link to post
Guest night time my time Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 seen a couple of running dogs take some real bad rips n gashes,that would make you think they could never run agian,then back on there feet as though nothing had ever happend, the recovery of dogs is amazeing, Quote Link to post
Brimmer 220 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Sorry to hear about the injury. Did she tear any muscle? Hope in a short time she will be back up and running. Hard ground and hard dogs. Doing propper work. Quote Link to post
martin 332 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 So sorry to hear the bad news Keeps,but,keep your fingers crossed,because I thought Ula would be out for a very long time with her gash,but,she surprised everyone,she is a lot tougher than she looks,and,I'm sure Nuala is as well................martin. Quote Link to post
sikastag_1 689 Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 WHATS IN THE BLACK DOG MATE? Quote Link to post
Keeps 403 Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Thank you for all your kind replies. Shes much brighter tonight, Im sure she's on the mend, just have to be careful as its in an awkward place and the vet said it could break down. Don't think she tore any muscle Brimmer, luckily, though a lot of muscle was exposed when she did it and she has quite a lot of stitches underneath to hold it all together. Martin, I remember Ula's injury and how awful it looked - glad to hear she's ok now - I hope Nuala heals as quickly Grant, the black dog is 1/4 beardie 3/4 grey. Quote Link to post
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