I am the owner of a sweet, little dog named Roadie who is 2 1/2 yrs old.  We adopted him from the local

shelter, and he is a Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix. 

About five weeks ago we saw him limping, upon inspection it just appeared that he had maybe stepped

on something to injure his paw.  We cleaned it , put antibiotic cream on it, and hoped it would heal up.

This was not to be the case, and we began to quickly see the foot start to rot.  The pads of the toes

were rotting.  We took him to the Emergency clinic, and we were told that it was a snake bite by a

very elderly vet.  We were also told that the rear, left leg would have to be amputated.  It was

devastating news, but we would do what we had to save our dog.

We took him the next morning to see the local vet, he agreed that the leg would have to be amputated,

and a snake bite was still the diagnosis.

Well just before surgery I was called, and told that it wasn't a snake bite, that it was heart worm, and

then he threw in some foreign name to me of vasculitis.  I really had no idea what he was talking about.

He also told me post surgery, that the infected leg had laid on the other rear leg, and that there was

infection there as well.  He told me that after he cut the toe nails, he saw very little blood flow.

At this point he gave me a 50/50 chance that the other rear leg would survive after the amputation.

I took the chance, and prayed for the best.

Since the amputation,  I am watching the other foot slowly do the same, and it is heartbreaking.

We are on our third tube of cream, and many different medications, and the other foot is not getting

any better.

He has now formed a huge sore at his rear near the amputation that is horrifying to see.

I'm lost, I don't really know what I am dealing with here!!

My dog seems lost as well.  He doesn't come when I call, he just sits like a zombie staring at the

wall.  I read about how other dogs in some fashion go back to normal.  My Roadie doesn't seem

to have any life in him at all, and it breaks my heart.  He eats, but rarely drinks. 

I can deal with the amputation, but what about his other foot?  Is he ever going to show any signs

of life or happiness again?

In addition, he has also tested positive to heartworm.

Any help/advice  would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the welcome to your site,  I chose this one because it truly seems the most

informative.

I looked at the pictures of the seranoma, and it just may be that.  Roadie goes back to

the vet on November 8th, so I guess I will know then. 

He had his surgery on October 13th, and they still have not taken the stitches out on his

last visit which was the 28th. 

I've been trying to find out information about 'vaculitis' on the internet, but can't seem to

find much in terms of a future prognosis.

It seems that the other injured foot is the main focus.

Oh, poor Roadie. This has been an arduous time.

Hoping things turn around for him and that his other foot may be treated. I don't know anything really about vasculitis. Rather than waiting until the 8th of November, you may want to talk to the vet at the clinic and get more information with respect to prognosis, treatment options, etc. so you have a better understanding of what you're dealing with, etc. etc.

So sorry this has been so rough for you and Roadie. I can well imagine your helplessness.

Sending positive healing wishes.

Thank you all for your concern, it truly does help to know that you are not alone.

I never imagined myself to be thrown into this world, its a frightening place really.

It's been 3 weeks since his surgery, and today was the first day that he actually came

to me when I called him. I can't tell you how elated I was to finally see this happen.

Yet he is not out of the woods, his other paw is badly damaged and not healing.

On the 28th , the doctor put him on "pentoxifylline" which is a human drug for

vasculitis.  Is it helping?  The foot remains the same, but perhaps I am just being

impatient.

Have you ever heard of a dog with no back legs?  I am told it is inhumane.  So I

am faced with the everyday nightmare that this other foot will not heal, and he will

have to be put down.

In terms of the vet telling us about vasculitis, I am getting very vague answers as

to the future of a dog with this condition.  The vets reply "one day at a time."

That is not very comforting to say the least.

And what about heartworm?

Please pray for my very sick dog.

Thank you.

Hi Carmen:

It is alot, and very stressful for Roadie's owner.

I'm sure very stressful for him as well.

The doctor says he's not even going to touch the heartworm yet.

We have to deal with the injured back paw first.

If it does not thrive or heal, we are at a dead end is the impression that

I got from him.  I personally don't see it magically healing, even though I

pray a miracle happens.

The pads on the paw are not going to just reform themselves.

He's not walking on it at all, understandably.

Thank you for your concern Carmen,  Roadie says thank you to.

I'll know more on the 8th , I guess. Until then it's just a waiting game.

It just makes me wonder how this 'vasculitis' could do so much damage

in such a young dog.  I  do however believe that the vasculitis and the

heartworm go hand in hand.

I just wish I knew more about the disease.

Thanks again.

Sorry to hear about Roadie.  Poor pup.  I can tell you that my Opie had to keep his stitches in for quite some time.  He had a very big seroma and it eventually drained (which looks horrible, but is actually a good thing).  I think it was about four weeks before his stitches came out.  He was a bit down after the surgery for awhile and it was due to pain meds and general all-around recovery.  He perked up.  Roadie will too. 

I have no experience with heartworm.  It does not occur where I live (at least not yet).  I hope Roadie's other foot begins to heal.  You will know what is best to do for Roadie.  Take each minute one at a time.  They do make "rear wheels" for dogs.  I have seen a couple of dogs with useless back legs and they run around like crazy and their tailend rolls right along behind them.

So, try not to let other people tell you what is cruel, inhumane, etc., for your boy.  You know him best.  Try not to succumb to peer pressure one way or the other.

Hang in there.  We have our paws crossed for Roadie.

Opie's mom