Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My boy Bosco is a week post op for a forelimb amputation. We got test results back yesterday that he has an infection. Should the vet have put him on an antibiotic after surgery? They didn't and now he has an infection. I cleaned the house, rugs, carpet, bedding, before he came home too. They didn't cover the incision and told us not to clean it. We can only clean arround the incision with water. He had swelling,which they drained and put a compression wrap on yesterday. I looked at skin today and it's black. The vet said it could become necrotic. I am freaking out. My poor dog has been through so much already. Now he might have to have another surgery due to dying skin! And his chemo treatments will have to be delayed. He was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma but we are waiting on final confirmation. Does all this sound typical. Is this bad luck or did the vet screw up? I am so sad and upset.
OH poor Bosco! Yes most dogs come home with antibiotics! We did and after Max developed a seroma his surgeon put him on a different broader spectrum one. Bosco is on them now right? I would also have them take a swab to check for MRSA just to be on the safe side. Definitely needs antibiotics and remember you can always get a second opinion if you don't have confidence in your vet. This is one thing you definitely want to get under control fast. Hugs and keep us posted.
Okay, deep breath.....B R E A T H E......this can get handled, okay?
Ditto everything LINDA said!
Bosco needs to get on an antibiotic. So when you say "tests came back" for an infection.... What prompted you to the test in the first plzce? Was it oozing or smelly? Did the blackened skin just now occur?
And yes, as Linda said, get a culture checked for MRSA if the Vet hasn't already done so.
Many incisions do NOT come home bandaged or wrapped, so don't worry about that. And cleaning the incision itself isn't usually required either, so no worries there.
Okay....I'm re-read as I type and see he has the ince drained and now a compression wrap. Seromas happen and sometimes do needed draining. I see thst the black skin just now formed. So you're doing a GREAT JOB staying in top of things!!! And sometimes this does happen, but hopefully the antibiotics will help andnthe incision will continue to heal with healthy skin.
Is he on an antibiotic now??? Definitely tell your Vet you want him in an antibiotic and a MRSA test.....or, as Linda said, get an second Vet!!
And chemo treatments are often delayed for various reasons during recovery, so that is not completely unexpected sometimes. It think my Happy Hannah was three weeks ourpt, maybe a bit more, before she started her four rounds of Carboplatin.
How is Bosco doing overall? Eating, drinking, pooping, peeing? It's still very early in recovery. Hang in there! You'll get through these hurdles, okay?
STAY CONNECTED! We're here for you!
Higs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I'm so sorry to hear about this and can well imagine how alarmed you must feel. Linda and Sally have given you great advice. And I would absolutely agree that if you do have concerns about your vet then you should certainly consider seeing somebody else. Having confidence is critical both for Bosco and your own peace of mind.
My Meg did not come home on antibiotics and was fine. She was on antibiotics previously following elbow replacement surgery and developed an infection nonetheless, so there are obviously no guarantees. The black skin is certainly concerning, but the crucial thing is that they have identified the precise infection and should be able to target it with appropriate and specific antibiotics. Antibiotics are remarkable things. I have every hope that once Bosco is on them, things should turn around pretty quickly.
I hope he won't require further surgery, but if it does come to that, it should be very minor compared with what he's been through, just trimming away the blackened skin and re-stitching, I would imagine (this happened toMeg after a previous surgery). Obviously not what you want, but if it does come to that, just a light anaesthetic and he should recover pretty quickly.
Sending you a big, warm hug.
Please keep us posted. We're here for you.
Meg,Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
You've gotten fantastic insight and suggestions from others so I'll just add that although this doesn't happen to every patient, we've seen it before. Try not to panic. I know that's easier said than done but you can do it!
What kind of infection is it? Infections can happen for all sorts of reasons and it's difficult to pinpoint the cause so try not to spend too much energy on that. Move forward just as Bosco is doing, and you'll have a bit less worry on your mind. If he needs it, a "debridement" surgery is a relatively quick procedure that usually only needs to be done once. It's good that your vet caught it early and I'm guessing now has Bosco on a treatment plan?
I'm sorry you're both facing this situation but again, it's not totally unheard of and there are many ways your vet can help Bosco overcome the issue. Stay strong and keep us posted oK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just adding to the chorus here ...
I can't recall if Izzy came home from amputation on an antibiotic. I remember that she had antibiotics INSIDE when she had her knee repair a year later. Either way, she bruised up SO BADLY that I was convinced there was something wrong! (There wasn't)
Keeping our fingers and paws crossed for Bosco!
Hugs,
Amy & Izzy, too!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
So, he did have a seroma which prompted the visit to the vet. While we were there the vet wanted to check for possible infection. There was some blood oozing from the incision. It did not smell. They ran a culture and it came back as two different kinds of bacterial infection. I can't remember excatly what kind. Yes, he is on antibiotics now. I was wondering if he should have been on it right after surgery. I'll ask if they checked for MRSA . That's a great question.
We see see a few different vets at the university of TN vet school. They do seem to know what they are doing and are probably more updated on current research than private practice vets. He saw a soft tissue surgeon for the amputation and will see an oncologist vet for chemo. There are 4th year vet students involved but they are closely supervised. I do feel like it's the best place I can take Bosco. We went yesterday to have the pressure bandage re wrapped. It's nice that they have emergency services on the weekend. The student I spoke to said the dr. said the incision looked great and that it was good I brought him in. I didn't get to see the dr. yesterday but normally they come talk to us.
I feel a lot better about the debrisment surgery but hopefully he wount need it. This has been a tough process. Bosco is doing well other than the post op issues. He can walk a little by himself, he is eating but not quite as much as usual, and he is drinking. He seems bored inbetween naps. I sometimes let him lay outside for a little while on a blanket or big beach towel. He loves that. But now I am wondering if I shouldn't do that. Maybe that's what caused the infection? Also he fell the day before we noticed the swelling. Maybe it was the fall. Sigh...
It is clear how much you love Bosco and that you are taking great care of him. Rusty had surgery last month and he did not come home with a bandage nor antibiotics. We also were not given any limits regarding being outside. I do not believe that anything you have done post surgery caused Bosco's infection. I'm glad to hear that he is doing well otherwise and hopefully you can get this sorted and continue the path to a quick and happy recovery. He is in your caring and capable hands and I'm sure he will get everything he needs! I lived in Nashville and took my dog to UT for emergency surgery and follow up and agree with you they were very capable. It sounds to me you've done everything right for your kiddo. - Amy & Rusty
I'm sure the beach towel wasn't the cause nor the fall. Izzy fell on her stitches more than once and it made me cringe (or cry) every time. She, however, didn't seem to care.
I did have Izzy wear a t shirt - I was afraid she'd snag her stiches on carpet and felt it would help keep her clean. Plus, her two legged brother couldn't stand to look at the incision ... It really was ugly, and I know you understand!
It's so hard not to analyze every little decision, looking for answers, and by proxy, ways to blame yourself. Don't do it! Things happen, we all second guess ourselves, but I am also 100% positive you are doing everything you can to help Bosco!
Chin up and keep us posted!
- Amy & Izzy, too
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
I very much doubt that anything you did or didn't do caused the infection. These things just sometimes happen. I'm sure being able to sit outside and sun himself and watch the world go by is good for him and in no way caused the infection. Try not to worry you obviously caught it early and he's getting good care at UW TN school. I remember reading that dogs who develop an infection actually do better in the long run don't know if there's any truth to that but it's got something to do with immune system etc. Hugs to you and beautiful Bosco and like Amy said you are 100% doing everything you should be doing. Hang in there better days coming soon!
Okay! Here we go!! You love Bosco soooo much yiu are going to be able to let go of any negative energy that is keeping your from being fuilly prese t with Bosco! And all those "whuuda, shudda, cuddas" are completely irrelevant!! Bosco has an j fecrion. It happens. Bosco falls as he's adjusting ti three legs. It happens! And wull probably happen many more times!! Seromas are NOT UNCOMMON at all! So letsw put all that to rest so you can continue to do the BRILLIANT job of caring for Bosco that you are DEFINITELY doing!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 EXCELLENT JOB!!
And yes, being outside in nature in the sun is very healthy and healing for dogs. Good job yet again!! 🙂
Bosco seems to be right on target in his recovery. I know it's not fast enough, but itnis major surgery and it takes a while to recover!!
Bosco IS walking! He IS drinking! 'He is eating!!! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR BOSCO!! 🙂 🙂
STAY CONNECTED!! Eat some CHOCOLATE and get some rest 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Just like humans, sometimes infections just happen. Murphy had a bandage when he came home, but a day or so later it came off and we were told that it was ok to leave it open to air. He also did not come home on antibiotics. Sometimes the surgeons give them shots of antibiotics while they are at the hospital, so we just may not realize that they had them. You can try massaging around the area some to increase the blood flow, which will help with healing. Please stop beating yourself up! You obviously love Bosco very much and are doing everything you can for him.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you all for the kind words. It's definitely a boost for me. Sometimes I feel like I'm letting Bosco down but at the same time, I know I am doing the best I can for him. We went yesterday for a follow up appointment. The vet said he may have another, different infection because the seroma is continuing to drain. So we did a second culture. I did ask one of the students if they checked for MRSA . She looked like a deer in the headlights. She said she was sure that it would be included in the culture. I don't think she knew the answer for sure. This student just started the small animal rotation. So I'll be asking the dr when we go back on Wednesday. I miss the last student we worked with. He would always check with the dr. And give us a follow up call. Sigh...
so tomorrow we we go back for another appointment. They will make some decisions about his antibiotic, if debrisment surgery is needed, and they may add a drain. I have to drop him off for that appointment which I don't want to do but there is no choice. We trying to take things one day at a time.
Yep, one day at a time. And in the czse of the recovery period, it often means one hurdle at a time! The hurdles do eventually stop though! Really!
And yes, double check with the Vet on the MRSA . And YOu are paying big vucks for treatment so do not hesitate to voice when you need to speak to the Vet directly, or even by phone later if he's busy! You are Bosco's advocate and don't ever feel like you do 't want to "bother" the Vet, or not ask a lotnof questions! Ask all the questions you need too, okay??
Update us tomorrow. We'll all be cherring for Bosco! You BOTH are doing a great job during these....er.....hurdles!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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