Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives

Had a hard recovery night last night. When Peggy had her surgery, they sewed on a bandage and a larger wrap around her torso — they just didn't want to take any risks with her going after the wound. Last night, we saw a little bit of seepage coming out of the bandage. It looked like seroma seepage, but still, wanted to be sure — and see if the bandage needed to come off — so we took her to the emergency vet. (Luckily, it was the same amazing emergency vet who worked with Peggy after she was in the car accident). 

They upwrapped her and clipped off the bandage and there is indeed a seroma . A lot of swelling, and a few "raw" spots around the staples. The staples haven't come out at all, but a lot of the seepage is coming out of those raw spots. They cleaned the wound with soap and warm water, upped her anti-biotics, instructed us to periodically and gently with soap and warm water, and said that the rest of the incision is in amazing health.

We've been icing with a bag of peas every other hour. The site does not smell, and there's no pus, but wow the seroma fluid just keeps coming, and I hate the look of those raw spots. We've checked in with the vet a few times and they've assured us it's okay — we're going to see our normal vet, who performed the surgery, on Monday, and they'll see how to proceed. She's still eating a ton, pooping solid (although not on her own outside yet, one thing at a time), and on sedatives. (When they wear off, she's very alert and happy and doesn't seem to be bothered by the cleaning or the seepage). It's just a lot to deal with! I slept on the floor with her last night and cleaned the seepage every two hours. My partner took over in the morning and I got some uninterrupted sleep, but hoping the worst of it is over.  

Hi all — Went to our regular vet on Monday, who advised to stop cleaning quite so much (and thus allow it to heal a little more). Such a fine line between letting all the seroma fluid out but also wanting the rough spots to heal! The vet said that this is something that happens about once every 20 amputations, and of course we're that lucky 1 in 20. On Tuesday, vet rebandaged her to protect it a bit more, and it's still oozing but slowly decreasing. No infection, and I felt comfortable enough with it covered last night to put her in her crate in our bedroom with her e-collar and a pair of boxers (instead of sleeping next to her on an air mattress in the living room). 

She's going in every day to have it professionally cleaned and rebandaged, which is a great relief. I feel very lucky to have such a vigilant vet.