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Our old man Koda is nine days out from having his right front limb removed due to being mauled by another dog. He has a drain installed and it was draining moderately up until yesterday when it seemed like there was way more. Initially the fluid was clear and pink both coming out of the drain and in the bandage. Last night some of the fluid was pink and clear but some also looked milky and mucusy. While changing the bandage I massaged the area to encourage more drainage and the fluid coming out looked pink and clear. This morning his bandaged looked the same in color and volume as last night and the fluid coming from the drain is still pink and clear. He seems okay otherwise. Poops, pees, eats and sleeps. I have an appointment with the vet tomorrow but I'm a little freaked out today. He is still on antibiotics with stringent compliance.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for moderation.
I have not dealt directly with drains or discharge. For the most part it sounds fine- has he been more active in the last couple of days? That could account for the additional drainage.
Since he has been on antibiotics the chance of infection is not large, but it is so easy for an infection to get bad in a hurry. Can you take his temperature?
This is a tough call, but I think I would err on the side of caution. Is there an emergency vet near you? Chances are it's fine but you don't want to take any chances.
Others who have dealt with drains might have better input for you.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
I'm not a vet and haven't had drains in dogs - but have a lot of experience with them in cats (those little buggers can get the worst abscesses when they get out and get into kitty trouble). Pink and clear should be fine - that's just the normal drainage. White and mucousy I've not really seen, but I know from my experience my vet always says as long as it doesn't have an odor, it should be fine. But if you are worried, a trip to the vet today will put your mind at ease.
witchdoctorguru said
Our old man Koda is nine days out from having his right front limb removed due to being mauled by another dog. He has a drain installed and it was draining moderately up until yesterday when it seemed like there was way more. Initially the fluid was clear and pink both coming out of the drain and in the bandage. Last night some of the fluid was pink and clear but some also looked milky and mucusy. While changing the bandage I massaged the area to encourage more drainage and the fluid coming out looked pink and clear. This morning his bandaged looked the same in color and volume as last night and the fluid coming from the drain is still pink and clear. He seems okay otherwise. Poops, pees, eats and sleeps. I have an appointment with the vet tomorrow but I'm a little freaked out today. He is still on antibiotics with stringent compliance.
Hi,
Our dog, Cayenne just recently went through a front leg amputation (4 weeks tomorrow). She also had a drain with quite a lot of drainage as well. Vet left the drain in longer than he originally wanted to due to the fluid build up. The color you are seeing sounds right...pink and clear and serum like...if it's dark or red like fresh blood then a call into the vet is prudent. The vet also evaluates the consistency (texture?) of the serum. A change may mean antibiotics are required for a longer period of time or a change of antibiotics is necessary to ward off possible infection. Our vet also said that warm compresses and some massage helps if the dog will tolerate it. Even after our vet pulled the drain out, there was still leakage for a few days afterwards which he said was normal. Pretty messy but we put a tee shirt on her to catch the 'leakage' and prevent her from licking it and bugging it. You could put a call in to the vet just to make sure all seems right but from what you are describing, it sounds fairly normal.
Aww poor Koda, I'm so sorry.
If you click on this link about seroma fluid you'll find lots of info. Agree that this sounds very normal. I remember being totally freaked out by it too, but it was all good. Try not to worry, this sounds like a normal recovery.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree with the others...
I will add this - is the area warm to the touch? Does the drainage have any foul odor to it? any redness to the area (other than bruising/seroma )?
The clear/reddish drainage is normal & it should not have a foul odor. It should have a watery consistency to it. I would imagine that as the seroma was developing & it drained that was what was the mucusy drainage. Especially if Koda's already on antibiotics. However, if anything changes, I would make sure to call your vet.
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
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