Thursday, September 26, 2013

Bear Attack (graphic photos)

I love Alaska. Life here is incredibly beautiful, as unscathed natural beauty surround us everywhere we go. Even with the challenges brought by the weather and isolation, Alaska is worth it, particularly if you are totally averse to certain things you typically find in major metropolitan areas: stress, rudeness, arrogance and the sense of entitlement so predominant in major US cities.

Living in a place so strongly dominated by natural forces calls us to be aware of our own vulnerability and weakness as human beings. We are guests here... we are tiny islands of "civilization" surrounded by thousands, thousands and thousands of acres of untouched wilderness. So, it is not uncommon for humans and their pets to get into trouble from time to time when mother nature has its way. One thing all of us need to be aware of here is bears. They are all over. We live in their natural habitats.

A couple of months ago a family brought me their Miniature Pinscher after the dog had been attacked by a bear. It just so happened that a momma bear with two cubs were looking for food in this family's backyard when this courageous [tiny] dog attempted to chase the bears away. It failed miserably. Instead, the momma bear snatched the dog off the ground with her mouth and shook it violently, breaking the dog's spine. The dog ended up paralyzed and had to be put to sleep.

A couple of days ago, a similar situation happened, this time involving a sweet chocolate lab. The dog is from Haines - a little town of approximately 2,000 people located northwest of Juneau. According to the owners, the dog went out in the morning and subsequently wandered away. He was found later that day after having been seriously injured by a bear. No one knows how it happened. Most likely, the dog either (naively) entered the bear's territory, crossed paths with a protective momma bear or was found eating the bear's food.

Regardless of the reasons for the attack, this dog is very lucky to be alive!

This patient had several bite wounds in the neck in addition to these deep lacerations. Bear paws have powerful, long & sharp claws that can easily slice the flesh off like a salami. This dog is overweight and the subcutaneous (excess) fat worked as a cushion against the bear's sharp claws. If this pet were leaner, the bear could easily have cut through the skin into the chest or abdominal cavity. Because of the lapse between the accident/trauma and veterinary care (6-12hrs) this wound is considered contaminated.

Wound management for transport: Before transportation, particularly if it might take several hours before you reach veterinary care, all wounds should be thoroughly cleansed with soap and water, then bandaged. In the situation above, the client was very wise. He improvised an occlusive dressing with gauze and linen firmly held in place with duct tape (not shown). Bandaging prevents further contamination and helps to stop all but the most severe hemorrhage.

Upon arrival at our office, this dog was examined, vitals recorded and an IV catheter placed in his leg. He received IV fluids, antibiotics and pain medication. Then, he was placed under general anesthesia and prepared for surgery. This preparation consisted of clipping the hair, examining the wounds and thoroughly scrubbing the lacerations with chlorhexidine scrub  - chlorhexidine belongs to a group of medicines called antiseptic antibacterial agents. It is used to clean the skin after an injury, before surgery, or before an injection.

After trimming/cutting dead tissue away (including the subcutaneous fat) this is what the repaired lacerations look like (2.5hrs of hard work). There were several large subcutaneous pockets formed by the trauma. These pockets can trap contaminated fluid, bacteria and dead cells/debris. To enhance drainage and reduce the likelihood of infection, several penrose drains were anchored in place. In addition to these severe lacerations, the dog's right femur was fractured during the attack. He underwent fracture repair the next day. It is really a miracle "Buddy" is alive!

If you live in Alaska or just moved here recently, be aware that bears are found all over. Most people who see a bear in the wild consider it the highlight of their trip. The presence of these majestic creatures is a reminder of how privileged we are to share some of the country's dwindling wilderness. Yet, it is important to know as much as you can about bears in order to protect yourself and your beloved pets. Here is a link with useful information about bears in the State of Alaska: The Essentials of Traveling in Bear Country. 

If your dog experiences a laceration, here are a few things you can do before taking your pet to the veterinarian:

1. Clean the wound thoroughly with soap and water; then, dry it.
2. Apply clean gauze or a clean linen [with pressure] to reduce bleeding (wound dressing)
3. If you can, secure the gauze/linen in place with elastikon bandage (elastikon bandage) or duct tape, if you don't have anything else.
4. If the laceration is large and located on the belly, chest or back and you don't have anything to protect it with, put a snug, clean T-shirt on the dog.
5. Seek veterinary assistance ASAP. The longer you wait for a wound to be properly treated, the more likely it will become infected.