# You better hope your little ratdog pulls through. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 10, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777 "2003-09-10T15:49:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Madawc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Madawc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madawc)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/101 "2003-09-14T05:56:46Z")
“I kid” is this some kind of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog reference for me to poop on? hehe If you don’t know who Triumph is, watch Conan O’Brien’s 10th anniversary special Sunday Sept 14th on NBC, 9:30PM. He’s quite hilarious. They call him a Rottweiler but he is the size of a MinPin. Well “sock puppets” can’t really as big as a Rottie… And I do hope your thumb gets better CCL, no joke and no lie, sounds like it must’ve hurt. I’ve been bit by my bitch’s litter and those puppy teeth are worse. Like needles, and with the scissor bite that MinPins have, it is not a pleasant feeling. And don’t worry, the puppies are old now and were placed in good homes, well homes that care for them, but I hear they are terrors. I think they need to come over and be scolded and praised by the Alpha hehe. Just hope that you don’t have to get rabies shots yourself. They are a pain in the ass, literally. I had to get one shot in each ass cheek (steriods), one in my right arm (the rabies vaccine) at the first visit, and I had to get a tetanus shot on my left arm the day before the first visit (it took time to order the rabies vaccine from the Health officials). Then I had to go for 3 more shots at month intervals. In the arm each time. It’s a real pain and your body gets fatigued easy during this period… bah, I’m rambling… ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/102 "2003-09-14T06:11:15Z")
Look, dumbass, there’s no need to ask the owner about the temperament of the dog when it’s fucking lunging at your throat. At that point, it’s a safe bet that the goddamn thing is aggressive, dipshit. That’s not exactly a Sherlock Holmesian level of deduction. And it wasn’t just me it was lunging and snarling at–it was everybody in the building. Unless maybe you think our entire staff was giving off rat-dog hating vibes. And frankly, only a damn fool takes the owner’s word that a dog won’t bite when their own assessment is that it will. People will swear up, down, and sideways that Fluffy won’t bite…right as Fluffy makes a grab for your hand. Also, please make up your mind whether I should assume all minpins bite and take proper precautions (which we had done, by the way), or trust the owner when they say, “Oh, he won’t bite.” Either _pinscher_ means something, or it doesn’t, so pick one story and fucking shut up about the other. The thing about minpins not ever having a use was indeed a joke. If you can’t cut somebody still coming out from under the influence of anesthesia and post-op pain meds a little slack in the humor department, you are indeed an assmunch of the highest caliber. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/103 "2003-09-14T06:23:18Z")
Eh, you snuck a post in on me while I was typing. Sorry bout the names, if you’re sorry bout the accusations of arrogance and incompetence. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/104 "2003-09-14T11:08:29Z")
If it makes you feel any better, both CCL and I frequently refer to our own dogs as useless. Then again, our dogs are remarkably useless. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/105 "2003-09-14T17:52:28Z")
I have an eight pound Persian cat that recently crapped all over the…maybe…back one third of his body. There must be some old pit thread with a human parallel. Well, he’s insane. No matter what you do to help him from clipping knots to pills must be approached super sweetly until it’s the way Steveo approaches crocs. I grabbed him with a towel, dropped him in the tub, grabbed his front paws with a towel, held on hard (I’m only 23 times his size), and prayed he had enough sense not to bite me. After a brief struggle and about a half pound of crap coming out of his fur as though he had become a shit chamois, he realized that the tub was a good thing. Then, of course, ten seconds later he tried to slash my face. Nope, not with your little talons in a towel, freak. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/106 "2003-09-14T19:53:41Z")
Oooh, I call band name on Shit Chamois! ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/107 "2003-09-14T20:05:34Z")
**CCL** , as someone who appreciates all people in the veterinarian trade, I just wanted to let you know that my pets behave in sterling fashion when they’re up on the table. Never a snarl, nip or squirm do they give while being examined. I’m usually there, holding them, but even when my wolf hybrid is out of my influence he is still completely tractable. I do not know if I would even care to own an animal that did not cooperate at the vet. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/108 "2003-09-14T20:38:32Z")
**Zenster** -are you SERIOUS? I mean, why not just use leeches!!! EEEWWW!!! ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/109 "2003-09-14T20:51:39Z")
Huh? Ohhh, is **Zen** the one who suggested maggot therapy? If I have further problems with infection, it might be a way to go, but we’re hoping just opening the wound to drain will take care of it. It wouldn’t have been all that great a first option Friday, though, since they still would have had to explore the wound to make sure there was no joint or tendon involvement. **Guin** , right now there are no concerns about blood flow or clotting problems, so leech therapy wouldn’t be indicated at this point. I understand it’s terribly good for reattachments and stuff, though. ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/110 "2003-09-14T21:07:31Z")
**Guin** , leeches consume whole blood. They are used to eliminate the accumulations of hematic fluid that occur in appendage reattachments or cases of circulatory hemorrhage. Maggots are especially useful for cleaning out wounds that have undergone sepsis. They are extremely particular about what they will dine on and have been in use for a long time. And if that doesn’t ruin your lunch … ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/111 "2003-09-14T21:14:27Z")
**CCL** , bravo for you! It makes me proud to see someone who routinely works with animals be so well informed about alternative treatments that rely upon nature’s treasure chest. Is it possible for your doctor to perform any sort of endoscopy to inspect the wound site? There are really fine micro and macroscopic imaging systems that might assist in your assessment. Again, I hope all goes well for you. It is obvious that you are up to snuff on your own options, congratulations on being a well informed patient. ---
**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/112 "2003-09-14T21:18:57Z")
Ewww…leeches? I am so disturbed by those that breed small dogs - I’ve heard they live shorter lives (as do very large dogs, we had to put a huge Doberman down last year, he was only 9). Virtually any dog can be trained to be social (or aggressive), so it’s up to us humans to turn the tide. I’m not holding my breath. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/113 "2003-09-14T22:04:42Z")
I think **CCL** ’s wound will be OK without resorting to maggot therapy. (While the limited randomized controlled trials of larval debridement have shown it to be not only effective but cost effective, maggot therapy just hasn’t taken hold in the US for reasons I think are pretty obvious.) My impression is that they were able to I&D (incision and drainage/debridement) the wound sufficiently in the OR, though we haven’t unwrapped it yet so I haven’t seen it. (What’s the best way to hide a dollar from an internist? Put it under a bandage.) I’ve already asked two of our infectious disease folks about where we should go if these antibiotics don’t seem to be working. Have no fear–when you’re husband is a resident at the hospital, overkill of your medical care is practically guaranteed. 🙂 Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![Zenster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/cdc98d/32.png) [@Zenster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zenster)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/114 "2003-09-14T22:33:46Z")
Good on you, **DoctorJ**. Give **CCL** lots of TLC, _STAT_! ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/115 "2003-09-14T23:41:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > \*\*If it makes you feel any better, both CCL and I frequently refer to our own dogs as useless. Then again, our dogs are remarkably useless. \*\* I tell all four of mine they’re worthless wiki (short for “wicked”) dogs and terrible crazy monsters. I say this while I’m kissing them and scratching their ears. (They’re all huggable marshmallows, mostly.) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/116 "2003-09-15T00:37:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > \*\* (While the limited randomized controlled trials of larval debridement have shown it to be not only effective but cost effective, maggot therapy just hasn’t taken hold in the US for reasons I think are pretty obvious.) \*\* Such as the screaming interpersed with vomiting. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/117 "2003-09-15T01:28:19Z")
My Tobermory and Road Warrior often get called “Hey, stupid cat!” But more often it’s “There’s my precious ittle baby!” as I’m scratching their ears. Tobe in particular likes that. Color me ignorant, but up until this thread I hadn’t realized **CCL** and **DrJ** were a twosome. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/118 "2003-09-15T02:52:52Z")
What color is ignorant, anyway? Is it a sort of grayish taupe, or something a little more colorful? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/119 "2003-09-15T14:09:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aceospades \* > \*\*so…when do we find out if the ratdog kicked the bucket or not? and \*\* CrazyCatLady \*\*who gets the pleasure of choping off the head if it doesn’t pull through? \*\* I guess it was this kind of attitude (and not on CCL’s part) that drove me to post in the first place. We have someone who would gladly ‘punt the fucker across a parking lot’ Someone who said ‘here’s hoping’ that the dog dies and gets his brain on a slide, someone who would ‘kill the dog on the spot’ and now someone who thinks it would be a ‘pleasure’ to cut a dog’s head off. Seems a little sadistic. ☹ I hope you feel better soon CCL…and here’s to no green pus in your future! ---
**Author:** ![YWalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/6f9a4e/32.png) [@YWalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YWalker)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777/120 "2003-09-15T19:47:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jarbabyj \* > \*\*I hope you feel better soon CCL…and here’s to no green pus in your future! \*\* Say **jarbabyj** — Has anyone ever told you you have a future in writing greeting cards? That was touching, I tell ya. Just bee-yoot-e-full. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-better-hope-your-little-ratdog-pulls-through/200777.md?page=7)