It’s after midnight on Friday night and I’m blogging because I am awake. I am awake because I just returned from the Emergency Vet with a very big vet bill and a very doped up Piper.
After our afternoon playtime today, I noticed Piper was licking blood onto her feet. I tried to examine her tongue for the slice I assumed she had in it, but was unable to find anything. Having experienced the “lick blood onto paws” scenario in the past, because border collies are INSANE and frequently chomp their ridiculously long tongues, I wiped her paws with a damp rag a few times and wasn’t overly concerned.
Except the blood kept coming and at about 9pm she threw up a large quantity of blood. I called the vet, who told me that she probably was throwing up blood she had swallowed and to get her to drink some cold water and keep an eye on her. If she threw up again, I should bring her in.
45 minutes later she threw up a puddle of blood almost as big as she is. I tossed her in the car and whipped down to the vet, who could also find no cut on her tongue. He was worried she’d gotten into rat poison (seriously? AGAIN?) but wanted to put her under and check more carefully … because as we all recall, Piper *hates* The Brown Guy vet and wanted very much to bite him for looking in her mouth.
An hour later, he called and said I could come get her.
Piper had somehow punctured the lingual artery in her tongue, on the underside at the back of her tongue, and was slowly bleeding to death down her throat. JESUSCHRIST. Can this dog NOT catch a break? We were playing Dumbball with a … well a BALL. It’s rubber, and soft. I have no idea what she punctured the freakin’ underside of her tongue on. She required two layers of stitches, and IV fluids because he said she had lost so much blood she’d almost gone completely white.
So now we wait, because it’s a very awkward place to stitch and could easily open again. I am afraid to go to sleep tonight! She also got an injection of Vitamin K to help clot her blood and has to go back tomorrow for another dose.
My poor, wee girlie. I don’t know why all the Bad Things happen to her. She’s such a teensy little thing, and such an obedient, try-hard little buddy, it breaks my heart that she keeps suffering these terrible accidents :(
Please think good thoughts for my Princess of Power. She’s having a rough go.
Amanda says
Best wishes for you and Piper. We will be thinking of you in Western Australia x x x
Leandra says
Wow, of all the freaky things to happen… I’m glad Piper is ok.
Jennifer says
(((hugs))) I hope piper heals up quickly!!!!
Uf says
My BC once pierced the base of her tongue with a stick. We were on a walk and even after that she kept running and retrieving things. Only when we came home she suddenly became lethargic and I noticed blood in her mouth (but the cut was in the throat, so I couldn’t see it). And of course it was Saturday night…
Sending good thoughts to miss Piper!
pam in oz says
Thinking good thoughts and lots of love to Piper.Food lady , I can imagine how worried you are! Love to you too
Bestler says
Sending healing thoughts for Piper, hope the stitches hold and she feels better soon.
Jett says
Oh, poor Piper! Thank doG you got her in when you did and hope the excitement is over for the night (and for good!). Really scary stuff.
M.E. says
Thinking good thoughts for Piper *and* for you!
Jennifer says
Sending love and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Piper and to you.
Stephanie says
Holy crap, what a freak accident! Get well soon Piper!
Kristi says
Get better Piper! ]:
All of our best wishes and love!
Jenny says
Hope Piper heals quickly. Scary.
LouH says
Poor wee girlie, and you too. What a nightmare. Hope you all get some recuperation time this weekend.
Mo says
I will keep wee Piper in my thoughts and prayers.
Melissa says
Good thoughts headed for you and Piper! Poor thing!
Dede in PA says
Poor Piper! Poor Food Lady! Hope the stitches hold and that she recovers quickly.
Paula says
Lots of good thoughts and wishes for Piper from us.
cinnamondog says
Oh, ouch, poor baby Piper! We have a lot of paws crossed here for Piper and you, Sheena. Talk about a freak accident — it made me wince many times just to read about it. Both of you be okay, please please please.
Kaitlin says
Aww poor Piper. How scary that such a freak accident can happen while playing with a ball. Good thing you’re a diligent dog owner and were watching her so carefully!
floral says
Oh no! Take it easy, Piper. No messing around until that tongue has healed!
Sage says
How awful…poor Piper….I know how scary this must have been. We have all our paws crossed for you guys.
Rossie says
poor baby! may she feel calm and heal quickly! good luck!
Cherrie J says
Get well soon Piper
MrsB says
Keep us posted!
TheRedQueen says
Good thoughts headed her way…poor wee Piper girl
Ruth and Gibbs says
Hope Piper recovers quickly and easily! And that NOTHING like this happens to her ever again.
Angie says
Power of the Paw to Piper.
Olga says
I am so sorry to hear that Pipper is sick again. I hope everything goes well and she recovers well and soon. I will keep an eye in your blog to see how she is getting on and I will keep her in my thoughts too.
Take care of her and yourself and best of luck and wishes. :o)
LMP says
Terrifying ordeal – I’d have trouble getting to sleep, too! Poor little lamb – loads and loads of healing and clotting vibes for the Princess of Power.
Tamara says
Frightening! Thankfully you were paying attention and acted swiftly. Praying for you all.
Crystal says
Oh man, that sounds super scary. Hopefully the stitches hold long enough for it to heal up.
mcappy says
UNDER her tongue….ooh Piper you are so talented. Hopefully your talents will speed up your recovery.
Helene says
Hugs and kisses to Piper. Freak things happen to both dogs and kids, and even adults. Hang in though. We are with you in spirit.
Laura in California says
Healing thoughts coming to Piper from California. I hope she recovers quickly.
TxAmy says
Holy moly, how scary! Fingers and paws crossed for you and Piper here in TX.
rosali(ta) says
I hope the stitches hold and Piper heals up quickly. Really good the vet was able to find the source of the problem! And I hope you are able to get some sleep. Thinking nothing but good thoughts.
Bev Johnson says
Aww Piper how on earth did you manage to do that? Sending warm hugs your way raising the paw for you to get better real quick.
BRaTPack says
BubbleWrap that dog!!
Vickie says
Poor Piper, poor you! Always so hard when dogs are injured/ill. The amazing Mollie Ball and I send her and you tons of good healing thoughts..
Adrienne says
Aw jeez! That is so frickin scary. Thinking mightly of you two!
Bree says
Aw poor Piper, feel better soon girlie. Hang in there, sending puppy kisses and positive thoughts your way!
Schnitzie/Andrea says
Ongoing PAWSitive juju for the Princess!!!!