Well we have returned from Maddie's regular vet (or at least the vet at the practice who replaced her regular vet).  She took the bandage off completely - said it wasn't doing anything (which is what we thought too).  After at least half of the last bandage changes, you could see the hole in her incision because of where it is located (at the point in the V), its up at the area where her shoulder would meet her chest.  Anyway, she removed the bandage, she talked about possibly inserting a drain but wanted to wait until the surgeon is back on Monday.  She called the ER to see if the culture is back and it's not.  She has us using hot compresses on the area below the hole three times a day.  We got gloves and we have to put a shirt or E Collar on her so she doesn't try to get to the wound.  I know they were cleaning it with the honey at each bandage change so I'm torn about whether I should take her in to the ER again tomorrow to have it cleaned and re-wrapped.  Everyone tells us something different - drain, no not a drain; suture, no never suture; pressure bandage, no pressure bandage.  It's frustrating!  But for now she seems much happier without the full body cast lol and I'm inclined to wait it out until Monday when we can take her in in the evening and see the doctor who originally took care of the burst seroma .  She's resting (totally exhausted from today's adventure).  I feel so bad for her - she's cut the pad on her back paw so she's limping on that too.  This poor dog.  I know it's futile, but I wish wish wish Maddie's long time vet hadn't retired!!!  I would feel 100% better if she was involved in her treatment.  At the next visit, I will ask about the body shirt and the silver bandages.  Thank you all again for your support.  This has been quite an ordeal for all of us!

Hi everyone!  Things are pretty much in a holding pattern right now.  The hole is still draining, we still do not have the culture back so we don't know if there is an infection or if it's just icky fluid.  Yesterday morning I tried to get an appointment with the ER doctor who originally treated the burst seroma , but they said I should speak to her first and she did not call me back Although I'm sure they were super busy yesterday being the first day back after a long holiday.  I called our regular vet and they still want to wait to see the results of the culture before we do anything else.  So we are waiting.  It's still draining a lot, so I'm pretty sure she's going to need something done.  None of the doctors seem to have an answer as to how long these things drain like this - I get the impression that it's not usual for it to burst open like it did.  Anyway, I guess we still just have to wait and see.  I will update when I get the results of the cuture (hopefully today sometime)!

Maddie seems to feel better each day thankfully - she is happy to be out of the body cast but HATES the cone!  She's eating and drinking well - she really seems to be feeling good.  I have to keep her from romping in the yard and she's not thrilled about STILL having to be on a leash when we go out back!  It's hard to believe how different things were just 8 days ago.  

Thank you all for your support and for caring about Mads!