'Nother day, another problem with Kaytee

[Shmee]

For those of you that read about my sparrow ordeal with my female JRT, you'll get alittle more perspective now about what i'm dealing with. This happened this morning 15 minutes ago.....

While walking both my JRT's for their usual pee-poo loop, we come across many small critters as we stroll. This is a reason for excitement in my jack russell's. I like the fact that they strike fear into the hearts of squirrel/rabbit/bird and that level of fear combined with the tug of a short leash now and then keeps everyone happy and alive. Today however, paths crossed and initially, I thought it wasnt a big deal. Now I dont know so much..

My male, (Peety) is on the extension leash as he is more trustworthy and doesnt cause problem save for the occassional jogger or biker that may receive a "WOOF!" if he surprises Peety from around a corner. Again, this is easily controllable on leash and it's a simple tug of an 18lb dog and the moment passes. While approaching a neighbors bird feeder this morning, there was a squirrel hanging upside down and munching on a seed cake that was tucked into a mesh feeder. He was obviously so into what he was doing, his little squirrel danger sense was in the "OFF" position. I didn't believe Peety would catch him, and he didn't (especailly on leash). What Peety did do however was flush him directly into the gaping mouth of Kaytee. Now, Kaytee is on my 6-foot lead at all times when we walk. This time was no exception. Kaytee did what came natural and grabbed this squirrel so hard that it shrieked. I yelled at Kaytee quite loud, "NO!!" followed by "DROP IT!!!" and I couldnt beleive it, but she acutally listened! I was happy for the next 10ft of my walk until I realized what had acutally transpired.
Kaytee stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and was attempting to lick a very strange spot under her left front armpit. I examined what she was trying lick and now realize the squirrel wasn't let go due to my "DROP IT!" command. The squirrel was released because it sunk it's teeth into the flesh of my Kaytee. There was a small bit of blood and i'm not really sure of how deep the puncture is but the surface hole is less than a centimeter. I have since cleaned it with a wet soapy washcloth and rinsed it and then applied Neosporin. It's a spot she can't get at to lick, but Peety has already cleaned the Neosporin off and continues to follow her around and attempt to clean it for her.

Is this a Vet visit? Or, should I see how it develops?
-Shmee

[IceyBlueSibes]

I have no idea if squirrels can be candidates for rabies or not, but that would be my only concern with the bite.

However, I think I would tend to it at home, but if you notice ANY change in it (swelling, redness, discharge, etc) I'd call the vet. Neosporin is fine to clean it with, and the neo only has to be on for a couple minutes to do what it's supposed to do, so if you can distract Peety for a couple of minutes while it sits on her for a bit, it should do the trick.

I did read your other thread, but I think I agree with what everyone had said as far as it being just her natural instinct. My huskies, as well as my shepherd mix, have a very high prey drive when it comes to small animals. However, in the house, the cats are not toys and are not to be chased. They are great with our cats. If they see a cat outside, or another small creature, they go bonkers wanting to get after it.

I actually experienced to instances with one of my female huskies, Denali, and my boxer/shepherd mix at the time was involved in one as well. The two of them were out back and I hear this screeching noise and growling. I go outside (it's about 9-10 pm at night) and find these guys attacking something. It was small (the size of a cat), and I instantly freaked because I thought a stray cat had gotten into our yard. Much to my surprise it was a opossum. The poor thing had blood all over him, and blood coming out of his mouth. I for sure thought he was dead, only to forget the act that these little creatures play. I put him in a garbage bag and tossed him on the other side of the fence. I was going to barry him in the morning. I come back out in the morning and there was no possum in the bag, and a hole had been torn in it. My mom actually saw that same possum wandering around a couple days later... I never knew what happened to him.

The other instance with Denali was when I had taken her for a walk. She was on a retractable lead, and the street we lived on had a LOT of palm trees. As we walked around the corner, I saw a squirrel running up the tree. He wasn't really using his back legs, but he mosied up the tree with no problems. Next thing I know, I just see something fall from the tree, and Denali, within a split second, grabbed it and shook it. I yelled "NO! DROP IT" and she did. The poor thing had no chance. I used my shirt to pick it up and ran back to my house, but by the time I got there, he stopped breathing. I felt terrible, but there was nothing I could do.

I never really fussed at my dogs for those times. Yes, it's aggravating, but they're only doing what comes natural to them. There are times when you CAN'T curb them from doing it, because it just happens.

[calgal]

Call a Vet. and tell them about the squirrel bite. They do carry rabies just like any other wild mammal. Scary.

[Shmee]

She's vaccinated.. I still need to worry? It's not red or swelling mid-day, still watching it though.

[Sentry]

Sounds like typical behavoir for JRTs. The best you can do is more obedience training while on leash and maybe shorten Peety's lead. I wouldn't worry about rabies if your dog is up to date on her shots. I'd watch for infection, squirrel bites can be deep. Try an all JRT forum like this one Jack Russell Terrier UK Forum for more specific advise.

[Shmee]

TY Sentry,
I've now registered with the JRT UK site and I'm awaiting answer.

I hope noone gets jealous that I'm cheating on the GlobalPaw boards with the JRT-UK boards

-Loyal to the end...
-Shmee

[Sentry]

Originally Posted by Shmee

TY Sentry,
I've now registered with the JRT UK site and I'm awaiting answer.

I hope noone gets jealous that I'm cheating on the GlobalPaw boards with the JRT-UK boards

-Loyal to the end...
-Shmee

Your not cheating your sharing the love,LOL
I am on 5 different dog boards. 1 is a mastiff community, the other are mastiff breeder boards and now I'm here, each one offers a different education and support group.
The one thing the mastiff boards has done for me is to keep me up to date with particular heath,training and showing that is unique to the breed. But....It's been great hanging here! Mastiffs are wonderful but a variety is very refreshing!