Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Oh whew! Thanks for letting us know. And we are thankful that you are allowing us to be part of your journey together. This is a tough one and we are learning right there with you. Thank you for that.
(((hugs)))
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would agree with your vet; that does look like proud flesh which is the body trying to heal itself in an exuberant manner. I would also agree that something else is probably going on; as hideous as that wound looks the dog should be walking fine because once the abscess ruptures and the pressure is relieved then the pain goes away. Your vet could biopsy the tissue although a tumor in that location would be unlikely. Elbow arthritis/fracture can be quite painful so if he fell and inured something he may need heavy duty pain meds. Spinal disease or tumor is also a possibililty.
Pam
Dr. Pam thank you so much for your insight, I was wondering what "proud flesh" meant. That's a new one to me. So what the logical next move be to diagnose? MRI?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
If possible see if they can email you a copy of the xray to post here.
Pam
Here is the x-ray of his elbow when I first took him in. This is before it ruptured and left the open wound. You can see the chip from his elbow floating above the joint.
I enlarged it as much as I could and I am a little concerned with the proximal ulna (the larger bone in the lower arm). There are some dark spots on the bone that could be overlying air in the soft tissues or could be early bone destruction that could cause pain. I have only ever seen one dog get osteosarcoma at this site so that would be rare. You can either have your vet send this radiograph out for a consult with a radiologist (I usually use Sonopet) or he can take the same view again and look for changes. It is really not going to change the treatment since he can't have a second amputation but would let you know the prognosis.
Thank you for posting that!
Pam
Wow Dr. Pam, you are amazing and so big-hearted for taking a close look at the image. Thank you for making a tough situation a bit easier, you are wonderful.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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