But appearance alone cannot determine the depth or seriousness of the problem.
That requires veterinary evaluation.
In Tank's case, the dramatic swelling meant staff had to watch closely for changes.
Was it becoming larger?
Was drainage appearing?
Was Tank more painful?
Could he open his eye any farther?
Was he willing to eat and drink?
Was his energy improving?
Those small observations could help show whether he was moving in the right direction or whether the medical team needed to investigate further.
Tank’s Appetite Became Something Staff Watched Closely
Eating can become difficult when a dog has significant facial pain.
Chewing requires movement of the jaw and surrounding muscles. Even lowering the face toward a bowl may put pressure on swollen tissue.
Tank was therefore offered food in a way that minimized unnecessary effort.
He did not immediately rush toward it.
Instead, he sniffed.
Paused.
Then tried a small amount.
That might not sound remarkable.
Inside a medical kennel, however, those details matter.
Appetite can offer useful information about how a sick or injured dog is feeling overall. A dog who begins showing interest in food may be becoming more comfortable, while persistent refusal to eat can be one of many reasons for continued concern.
Tank was not suddenly behaving like a healthy dog.
He remained weak.
He remained swollen.
He still spent most of his time lying down.
But staff continued watching the tiny things.
A few drinks of water.
Several bites of food.
A slightly longer period with his head raised.
One eye following movement outside the kennel.
Recovery, when it happens, is not always dramatic enough to fit into a single photograph.
Sometimes it begins with almost invisible changes.
The Kennel Door Started Getting Tank’s Attention
There was one thing that increasingly interrupted Tank's stillness.
The sound of someone approaching.
Footsteps in the medical area would occasionally cause his visible eye to open.
If the person stopped near his kennel, Tank sometimes lifted his head slightly from the towel.
He did not jump up.
He did not rush toward the gate.
He did not wag his entire body in excitement.
He simply watched.
For a dog whose face hurt and whose body appeared exhausted, even that small response required effort.
Staff learned to approach slowly.
Tank's injuries made handling around his head especially sensitive, and an unfamiliar dog in pain can become frightened even when people are trying to help.
His behavior needed to be read carefully rather than interpreted through the stereotype attached to his breed.
American Pit Bull Terriers are powerful dogs, but physical strength does not make an injured animal immune to fear, pain, or exhaustion.