Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our baby Marmaduke had his right front leg amputated from the knee down three months ago. A few days after surgery he developed an infection and sutures burst open. After antibiotics and a good cleaning the wound was left to drain. It ulcerated to a pretty large size and the vet said it would close back over some time and there wasn't enough skin left to close. Here we are three months later and it's still open. It has granulated to almost half the size but now has slowed down alot. It bleeds sometimes if he bumps it pretty good. We clean and rebandage it everyday. But now the skin around it is getting tough and turning white. Another vet said it will either close or we need to reamputate taking out the shoulder. We just don't know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, seeing as though financially another amputation is almost impossible, though the money wouldn't be the reason to not do it. Basically is there any hope it will still close after this time or no other choice but to amputate?
http://marmaduk.....pawds.com/
But now the skin around it is getting tough and turning white.
I'm not a vet and can't help you but I was curious...
Does the skin that seem good or bad to you?
Honestly, I would jingle the vet that did the amputation. You shouldn't have any problems getting an answer. Plus, vet's want to hear of any changes and you should feel free to call him/her.
Good luck!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I'm either in their office or calling them atleast once a week and it's the same thing everytime. It looks great and oh it will heal just give it time. our vet is fairly young no more than a few years older than me ( I'd say she's about 27-28) So I'm just trying to see if any vet that's had alittle more experience with this had any other tips or techniqes that might help.
http://marmaduk.....pawds.com/
Ashley, where are you located? When Travis Ray was found last year in Monterey County he was missing a paw and the end of his leg was doing things similar to what Marmaduke is experiencing, basically it would not heal. That led to amputating his leg and he has been fine ever since. My only suggestion would be to get another opinion on the best course of action to fix Marmaduke.
Ralph
Ashley,
I know funds are tight right now but are you in an area that has an ortho vet?
Perhaps call another clinic and ask if you can get a second opinion at a minimal charge since you are out of work. Any vet that sees you have done the right thing and rescued Marmaduke, they may even give you a free visit.
Most vets will give a free consult when you rescue from the shelter so I bet they would. It's not fun to ask, but call around and just ask if you can get a discounted or free consult for a second opinion.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hey Ashley, I'm so sorry but I don't have any advice other than to reiterate what Ralph has said above. I would get a second opinion if at all possible. Another vet might know of a way to avoid the cost and stress of another surgery or at least confirm that an amputation is your only option. One thing is for sure, that Duke is one happy and healthy looking boy. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Fortis'Dad
We're in Amarillo, Texas so there's not really an ortho vet for dogs here. I just want to try everything I can before deciding to amputate again. We've been to two vets so far and our original vet was very hopeful it was going to heal and the other vet kind of gave us a 50/50 chance of it healing. From what they said the wound isn't causing really any pain to him, which made me feel alittle better. I just really dont want him to have to go through another surgery, it puts alot of stress on him with us leaving him somewhere and then the surgery itself. So trying to avoid it at all cost. Thank ya'll so much for your concern you truly are caring people.
http://marmaduk.....pawds.com/
I really doubt that this will heal anytime soon, since the stump will probably keep getting re-injured. However there are 2 things you could do to speed healing. One is to use Adaptic dressings to bandage around the area (you will have to do a body wrap like he had post-op). These dressings are made by Johnson and Johnson and you can purchase them from a pharmacy. They are a sterile mesh dressing that helps keep the new tissue moist and speeds healing.
If those are too pricey you can also apply raw honey to the wound daily (under a bandage). Honey has natural healing properties and we use that (sometimes with sugar to draw out fluids) all of the time for large ulcerated areas. If your vet is young she should have learned about this in vet school.
I would strongly recommend that you consider surgery ASAP to remove the scapula. Maybe the first vet would discount the surgery? This scenario is exactly why most vets just take the entire scapula off the first time (especially for a large breed dog).
Pam
Well we started the honey yesterday on his bandages with vet wrap and it actually looks alittle better. Not as much swelling and he even acts like it feels better. We've got an appointment for tues so we're going to hope for the best and see how it goes. thank you for the advice so much.
http://marmaduk.....pawds.com/
That's great news!
I really hope it heals for everyone's sake. I truly understand. I couldn't muster the courage to put Comet through ampuation after all that she had been through, too. (neglect from a hoarder, a spay, kennel cough and then pneumonia) I just wanted to love her and not put her through anymore pain. And that little gimpy paw was so adorable.
Interesting tips, Pam! I'm making a mental note!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
our vet used regular domino sugar on gayle's really raw/ugly elbow that wouldn't heal. we SWEAR by the sugar!! every day, they'd clean out the site with water (kitchen sprayer), then they'd pack the elbow with sugar mixed with antibiotic ointment, then wrap. the healing was amazing, you could almost see it happen. glad marmaduke is getting some relief.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Well Marmaduke is set for another amputation surgry on the 19th (sooner if finances allow us to). They will be amputating up to the shoulder. We found a very nice vet who immediately said there's no other option but to amputate. He said even if it heals it will always cause him problems and he will just reinjure it in the long run. So hopefully everything goes ok. Thank ya'll for the support.
http://marmaduk.....pawds.com/
You might want to consider having them also take the scapula (shoulder-blade) off. Sometimes the muscles atrophy around the scapula leaving a pointy, sharp protrusion that can annoy some dogs or lead to pressure sores.
Pam
tazziedog said:
You might want to consider having them also take the scapula (shoulder-blade) off. Sometimes the muscles atrophy around the scapula leaving a pointy, sharp protrusion that can annoy some dogs or lead to pressure sores.
Pam
This is so true. After almost two years, Trouble has a pointy little nub and can develop a sore if she gets up and down on a hard surface. We've started taking a thick rug with her for kennel stays because of it.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I will ask him about that. They have moved his surgery to wednesday so we are just hoping for the best. We're just ready for him to be healed and finally be able to be a "normal" dog, just not looking forward to the surgery. The recovery period is actually the scariest part for me. I'm like a nut following him around to keep from getting hurt lol
http://marmaduk.....pawds.com/
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