Hi,

I posted this in a general forum last week but given the lack of progress with healing, I am trying the Ask a Vet site.

My 5 yo. 125 pound Irish Wolfhound had his right rear leg amputated on 9/22/11 after being diagnosed with OSA.  We have had an on-going issue getting the incision to close all the way.  Last week, my vet went back in to try to move things along.  He opend the 3 inch area where there were still staples, repositioned the muscles over the bone stub and closed him back up.  He said there were 3 layers of internal stitches and one external layer of staples and said everything was dry.  When I picked him up that evening, he must have slipped in the back and was leaking from the site.  Now, the staples have torn and the incision is about an inch and a half and leaking.  I can also see one of the stitches inside.  I tried calling the vet over the weekend, but due to power outages in our area, I can't reach him.  I am going to try him again today. 

He believes the issue is the force of a giant breed hopping is placing too much pressure on the incision.  Do you have any suggestions on how to correct this problem.  I am going to tell him no more staples.  They aren't wide enough and don't hold the site closed.  Each time my puts them in, they separate within a day or 2.  Have you found a better way to keep the incision closed.  Any suggestions would be most welcomed.  This has been going on for almost 6 weeks and poor Fergus would like some freedom to run around the yard and be a dog again!!

Thank you,

Tara & Fergus

Hi,

I am getting to that point.  I feel as though I have given him many chances.  I think I will try another vet today and get his opinion.  I am not sure if he is open though.  The power outages are extensive from the snow storm over the weekend.  Thankfully we were only out for 24 hours.  With 3 dogs, no one wants to invite us over!!

Thanks

Sue and Sammy,

Thank you very much!!  Thankfully we were only out for 24 hours but many people in our town and the surrounding towns are still out. 

The kids don't have school for the second day in a row.  This is already their third "snow" day for the year!  The first day of school was cancelled due to Hurrican Irene power outages.  I made an appointment with another vet for Thursday morning.  I'll will see what their opinion is and then go from there.  I am going to try putting some butterflies on it myself today and see if that works.  I just want him to be able to run and enjoy himself and this is making me hold him back which isn't fair.

Thank you again for offering your home to me and my 350 pounds of dogs.

Take care,

Tara & Fergus

Just wanted to say that when Gerry had tummy issues from cephalexin it made him really uncomfortable and took some time to get over – so if he is feeling depressed, you may see that ease for him as his tummy gets better. Hope so!  Best wishes with the rest, which I know almost nothing about.