Hi,

Saturday was Fergus' one month ampuversary!  He is doing well except his incision is not closing.  He still has staples in a 3 inch long portion of the original site.  I spoke with the vet this morning since I have run out of antibiotics (and patience).  We are still limiting his activity because he is not fully healed.  We have not allowed him to attempt steps because we don't want the opening to increase in size during falls.  The vet wants to "go back in" and trim away more of the bone.  He said with the large breeds (Fergus is an Irish Wolfhound), he thinks you need to take more of the bone.  Well, now what do I do?  I don't want to subject Fergus to another surgery, along with the recuperation again.  I am annoyed that the doctor didn't take enough of the bone in the first place.  We are a month into the process and Fergus still doesn't have his freedom.  I have given up on the cone and the no bite collar.  He is so long, he can contort his body so he can still lick the incision.  When he has the cone on, it cuts into the incision and makes it worse.  He only licks when it is oozing.  Has anyone else had this issue?   What did you do?  Help!!

Thanks,

Tara & Fergus

Gerry was able to lick around his original cone collar too and that delayed the healing of his incision an extra couple of weeks.  Don't see why cutting more of the bone would help that issue, but I'm not a vet.  Anyway, Gerry's vet had a longer-sized cone collar to offer him and that's what finally made it possibly for Gerry's incision to heal.  He was so sneaky about it, I didn't even see him lick around his collar until after the two-week appointment, when they told me he must have been licking.  Anyway, my advise would be to ask your vet and/or shop around for a bigger/longer cone.  I don't think it is going to be able to heal as long as Fergus can keep licking it.

Thanks for your responses!  I visited with our vet this evening and he believes if he removes the staples which are still there (not originals), he can put multiple layers of sutures which should hold the incision for good.  He will not touch the areas where the staples have been removed and are healed.  He doesn't think he will need to trim the bone, his concern is since Fergus is constantly moving the remaining stump he is applying internal pressure to the incision.  Plus, since he is so large the pounding of his body with each hop doesn't help.  There is not much of a stump but with the pressure from the almost constant movement, the incision can't heal.  I have decided to go ahead with the procedure.  He said it should be very quick and he will draw his bloods at the same time (Fergus is due for his first post chemo blood check).  He is not charging me for the procedure. 

Keep your paws crossed!

Tara & Fergus

I'm glad to hear that the vet wants to make it right and without being very invasive. It sounds like a good plan. I hope it does the trick. If it won't get in the way of the new sutures,you might want to consider a rough wear harness to help keep pressure off the stitches when walking or going up the stairs. Good luck and keep us posted

Lisa

I just heard from the vet and Fergus is in recovery.  He said when he opened him up, everything that was "cushioning" the bone had shifted and needed to be re-stitched.  He said because Fergus is not very gentle (like a bull in a china shop), he has banged it around too much.  He has never winced in pain as he slams his body down on the floor and has slept on the amp side almost from the beginning.  Now he has 3 levels of interior sutures and external staples.  The doctor said he should remain dry.  He is back to leash walks through Sunday and the dreaded cone is on.  Hopefully, this will be the last of the amp recovery process!!

Thanks for your positive wishes!

Tara & Fergus

Poor Fergus. Hope he finishes healing up quickly now!

He is such a handsome boy!
Jackie, Abby's mom

Fergus came home from the procedure last night which was quite an adventure.  He was high as a kite!!  He couldn't walk on his own, had his tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth, wandered around in circles on potty walks, wouldn't eat/drink and whined.  Needless to say, last night was rough.  This morning he woke up and was a happy, normal guy.  He was looking to play with his brothers and wanted a hearty breakfast.  He must have had a bad reaction to the pain meds.  It was much worse than when he had the fentanyl patch post amp.  Best news…he is no longer bleeding!  YAY!!  After cleaning him and his bedding for a month +, this is huge.  The incision looks great.  Hopefully, this will do the trick.  Thanks again for all the positive thoughts.

Keep your paws, fingers and toes crossed that Fergus is on his way to being staple and stitch free!!

Tara & Fergus