Nerve Damage in Face

[Bevyvuska]

Hi all, my dogs got into a MAJOR fight on Tuesday night. Bother are pretty much fine. Phoebe had a LOT of scratches & punchtures, but most were superficial. Tippsy on the other hand only had a few punctures on her legs & a couple on her cheek & jaw. We took her to the vet & got her patched up. The thing I am wondering about is the right side of her face is drooping a lot. Basically it looks like she had a stroke. The vet said that it's probably some nerve damage since she was bitten in that cheek. She said that it most likely wont get better, but it may. Time will tell.

What I am wondering is, has anyone else had this & what is the real likely hood of it getting better? Anyway of improving the chances?

Thanks!
Bev

[Rottlva]

Nerves don't regenerate, so if that's what it is, then no, it won't resolve itself. :(

I would be more concerned that if these girls (I'm assuming?) had a fight of this magnitude, that this will happen again, and next time things will be much, much worse.

[Miabella]

Originally Posted by Rottlva

Nerves don't regenerate, so if that's what it is, then no, it won't resolve itself. :(

I would be more concerned that if these girls (I'm assuming?) had a fight of this magnitude, that this will happen again, and next time things will be much, much worse.

Jessica is right, this is destined to happen again, and probably with worse damage. Please do a search on bitch fights/aggression and read some of the threads. Pay particular attention to BostonRott's posts about this.

[Bevyvuska]

Yes, both are female & both are fixed. I understand the likely hood of it happening again & am taking precautions.

[JeanT]

Some of the peripheral nerves do regenerate. It is a very slow process in humans. Don't know the speed in dogs. Also can depend on whether they were severed or just partially damaged or "temporarily" damaged from tissue swelling (as opposed to direct injury). Don't have any high expectations.

[Bevyvuska]

Yea, I kind of figured, but thought I would see if anyone had delt with something like this. The "Time will tell" seems to be mantra.

[BostonRott]

In humans, they say "1/2 inch per month" in terms of regaining feeling/use after a nerve release or other "repair." Regeneration is supposed to be along the same lines. As has been said, not sure what the "speed" is in dogs, but that's humans for ya.

[Bevyvuska]

Just an update, Tippsys face is looking a LOT better, not perfect, but much better. So it seems that not a lot of damage was done. Also they are both doing better. Thanks for allyour comments & help. :o)

[JeanT]

Glad to hear it. Good luck in their future management.