[llwaxan]

Hi Everyone,
I wrote about a month ago re: bringing a new, 8yr old female to live with me and my 4 year old neutered male. I am very grateful for all the support and suggestions and they have been co-existing well for about a month now.
Last night I had a problem though and it was my fault I think. I kennel my female during the day-she has some seperation anxiety and was not housebroken since she lived as a kennel dog prior to me. I give her something to chew during the day. I had come home and let her out and my male spotted the high value item in her kennel just as she was trotting past him to leave the room. He went for her as he tends to do in a dominant way-she usually backs away and leaves him be, but last night I think she felt a bit trapped by the space and his size and finally she just fought back. She took a little nip out of his muzzle and then fled the scene. He is 142lbs and she is 78 lbs. The real damage to my male was self inflicted though. He bit through his lip and his lip was impaled on his cannine tooth. There was no way for me to work it free, so off to the extra expensive vet I went at 7pm. I have been severely restricting their exposure to one another since last night. She has shown no aggression since towards him but he did towards her when we all were ready for sleep. She wanted a good night pat on the head and he wasnt having it. So he barked and jerked towars her. Is this serious? How should I proceed? I admit I am a little dog shy now because I dont want another fight breaking out. I need some guidance at this point. Hope y'all can help me. Thanks a million.
Lisa