Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Hello all,
new to tripawds. My 14 year old westie had her hind leg removed last week for a recurrent smooth muscle sarcoma with skin breakdown. She is one week post op and has a wound abscess. Trying to reach the vet again for her to look at her. We took her in on Saturday and saw a surgical fellow that cultured it and put her on antibiotics but did not open it to adequately drain it. Is it usual to not send home with antibiotics or a drain? I am a nurse, my husband a surgeon and we see much different approach with humans. Any advice on what to do?
karen
Hi Karen and Gracie, welcome! I'm so glad you posted here!
When it comes to a seroma or abscess, many vets prefer not to add a drain. The thinking is that it opens up the body to more possibility for infection (like a superhighway for bacteria to get in, as one vet put it). As for the antibiotics, you mention the surgeon gave some to her, but she didn't come home with any. I'm a bit confused about that. Did he give her an antibiotic injection? It's really great that they cultured it though, to make sure there's no MRSA floating around.
See these wound management posts for more info.
From your medical perspective how is it different when treating humans? I'm just curious. Thanks for the scoop.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
P.S. I'm in the Tripawds Chat for a bit if you want to hop over.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for getting back to me. I can appreciate the bacteria superhighway analogy for sure. For humans would have sent home on antibiotics and with drainage possibly taken a couple of stitches out to drain more adequately. Dogs I’m guessing are a whole different ball game. Actually I’m at the vet now
Oh you bet. Interesting that humans would be treated differently but it makes sense. After all there's little chance they will roll around in the dirt or obsessively lick the incision! 😉 A little Tripawd humor for ya 😉
Let us know how the vet visit goes. Paws crossed for good news!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We just went through a similar issue with our Yorkie Lily. Front leg amputated, few days later it was a mess. She was also sent home from surgery with no antibiotics to take and no drain. As Jerry noted, some surgeons have preferences. I know my vet doesn't like to give too many antibiotics for fear of creating resistance.
Lily ended up needing emergency surgery as the infection spread rapidly. Two weeks later she has the all clear and her stitches are out.
Hopefully you will not have to go through anything as drastic as that!
Aww thank you for taking time to share Lily's story! It is so hopeful!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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