Michigan man says he's grateful dog chewed off toe

[babylonsister]

:shrug:

http://www.salon.com/wires/us/2010/08/03/D9HCGJS80_us_dog_eats_toe/index.html

Michigan man says he's grateful dog chewed off toe
By Associated Press


A Michigan man says he's grateful his dog ate most of his toe while he was passed out drunk.

Jerry Douthett of Rockford says Kiko's action helped uncover an undiagnosed diabetic condition and led to treatment that could save his life.

The Grand Rapids Press reported that the 48-year-old musician knew for a while something was wrong with his foot. He resisted seeking care until giving in to his nurse wife's pressure one day last month.

Before going for an appointment, Douthett says he went out drinking, then came home and passed out. When he awoke, the terrier was beside him in bed and lots of blood was where his toe used to be.

His wife rushed him to Spectrum Health Blodgett Campus, where doctors found a bone infection and amputated the rest of the toe.

[Dennis Donovan]

1. Dogs have the ability to find infection in tissue...

Not a new theory at all. Infecteous tissue gives off an odor and the dog must've smelled it.

OR... the dog WAS a terrier - and anyone who's had a terrier knowns how mischevious they can be...;)

[NNN0LHI]

2. Almost the same thing happened to my brother

His min pin he raised from a puppy chewed his foot all to hell one night while he was sleeping(passed out drunk). It was a bloody mess. So he got rid of that dog. Gave it to my parents and he chewed them up for about ten years until he finally died. That dog was not allowed in my house. Bit someone every time he came here. Usually me.

Don

[get the red out]

3. I am just learning to train a dog

I have my first dog in adulthood (in middle age) and am learning all I can about training her. One thing that I have noticed all my life though is that often people will just over-look issues in smaller dogs, like biting or mouthing. My dog will be medium sized and we are really working on the mouthing issue while she is a pup. But I have known many small dog owners who simply pass of a dangerous dog as "cute" or "possessive". My Mother's Papillion, for instance, snaps at people for a past-time and must be kept away from small children at all times.

Also, this gentleman needs to watch his alcohol intake since he is diabetic.

[lukasahero]

4. How drunk do you have to be

to not wake up to a dog chewing your toe off?

Good doggie... I think.

[NNN0LHI]

5. He had an undiagnosed diabetic condition

I think diabetes can cause numbness and loss of pain sensation in the extremities?

That may have something to do with it but I am just surmising.

Don

[lukasahero]

7. Thank you

That makes sense.

[WI_DEM]

6. I hope they advise him that he'll have to cut down on his drinking now too.

[elehhhhna]

8. nah, he can crate the dog when he's bombed.