The fight was shocking, especially coming without warning. The two spaniels and the labrador had lived together for three years. They had occasionally growled but never fought before.

On the morning of the fight their owner heard a noise from the direction of their kennel at around 6am but did not connect it with the dogs. When he went to let them out an hour and a half later one of the springers, Tess, was in a sorry state.

The other two had attacked her and she had a number of deep bite wounds around her face and head. Although it was only about two hours after the fight that she arrived at the surgery the wounds were already infected and very painful.

She was so uncomfortable that I had to give her an anaesthetic to clean them up. Most were too small to stitch, so the most important part of her treatment was the antibiotics I injected her with.

I kept her in my hospital for two days and my nurses cleaned and flushed her wounds three times a day. By the end of the second day her temperature was normal, the swelling was going down and she was a lot happier.

After the immediate crisis was under control, I discussed with their owner the reasons why they had fought.

All three of the dogs are female and they usually come in season around the same time. It is no coincidence that the fight happened just as they were getting ready to come in season.

Hormones have a powerful influence on behaviour. Many bitches become restless and some aggressive as their season approaches. At this time it may only take a tiny spark, such as rivalry over a piece of food or the stimulus of a stranger coming to the door, to set off a fight.

After a fight has happened, even apart from the physical damage the dog who was beaten up often remains cowed and timid for days.

Tess's owner has made her a separate kennel so that it cannot happen again. He is also thinking about having them spayed which would certainly help reduce the risks of another incident.

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