Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We’re continuing to have a devil of a time with Tate’s incision, even after all this time. There is still a raw spot, which has nearly healed up a few times but then we neglect his cone one time and he tears the scab off. He’ll do it within minutes, like when we take his cone off to eat. He’s obsessed with it, goes after it right in front of us. Tate’s a very obedient dog, this is very, very uncharacteristic of him so we know it is really bothering him.
The vet is baffled. We tried a spray and now he’s on an antibiotic and gabapentin. Any thoughts or recommendations?
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
My very first post with ZERO responses, I guess everyone else is baffled too. 
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Don't take it personally, tazziedog is busy and our only contributing vet... as mush as we ask others to participate.
Not being vets ourselves, we only wonder... is Tate's incision not healing? Period. Or is it only not healing because he keeps going at it?
If the latter, then the solution is clearly to keep him from doing so. Somehow. The only suggestions have to offer are the cone of shame alternatives.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
His incision is probably bothering him. Often there is itching as the tissues heal or he could be having phantom pain so the gabapentin is a good addition. It wouldn't hurt to add some Benadryl in case of itching.
Pam
Thank you Everyone! You're probably right, another forum might have gotten a better response, just too busy to think straight these days. I like the Bite Not Collar, that stupid cone gets caught on stuff and he's worn it for so long we had to repair it with tape. I don't know why it's not healing, I'm wondering if it is because his platelet count is so low. I think we'll throw in the Benadryl as well. We're all tired of this problem and his quality of life is not that good having to wear a cone all the time. And the whole point of all this was to give him quality of life, so we're anxious to solve it.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Janice,
Have you thought about cold laser therapy for Tate's wound? It works really well, especially for non healing wounds like his. I'm pretty sure it's available at Buffalo Grove Specialty Center. If not TOPs in Grayslake definitely offers it. My vet in the City isn't that far either.
Thanks for the tip, Cynthia. We'll try anything about now. Do you think his low platelet count is part of the problem? Last check, it was 70. He's being tested again Tuesday.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
A marginally low platelet count would likely cause more of a continuous oozing. This seems more like a mechanical disruption and the wound trying to heal by second intention. Isabelle had a similar issue after her second surgery, not from her actively disturbing the incision...although it definitely bothered her more than her amputation incision...but because it's location resulted in the wound pulling with normal movement. She got aggressive cold laser and it resolved. She also had quite a bit of laser post amp, which I strongly feel contributed to her quick healing and rapid resolution of any nerve pain. Many of the local surgeons are routinely referring dogs to my vet for laser after all surgeries.
I noticed Tate's wound at the beach & actually thought about mentioning laser therapy to you then. Let me know if you need anything.
Cynthia
If his count is 70,000 that is pretty low! It could be low due to consumption of platelets (bleeding into the incision site then clotting) or if he had excessive blood loss during surgery. Even with chemo platelet counts usually rebound within a few weeks. Did your dog already have chemo?
Other causes of low platelets are tick disease or autoimmune destruction.
Pam
Thank you SO much for the feedback! I'm sure the low platelet is from the chemo, he's on CCNU and the oncologist said it may or may not recover. Post-amp, it was 434, after chemo 1 it was 391 and after chemo 2 it was 70. He just had chemo 3 last week. The surface is continually damp, very white (or pink/red if he's been at it).
I called BGSC; they have cold laser but she is hesitant to do it on a dog with cancer. She said there is divided opinion on whether it instigates cancer cell growth. Rats! Rick and I talked it over and decided against it.
She suggested "the loop", i.e., Assisi tPEMF but sounded a little doubtful. Does anyone have experience with this for a wound? I searched online but it seems it is more for bone, joint, tendon, etc.
What about acupuncture? Power Mushrooms? I'm grasping at straws here...
We ordered a Bite Not Collar, I hope he likes it better.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
tatespeeps said:
What about acupuncture? Power Mushrooms? I'm grasping at straws here...
Many have posted their experiences with acupuncture. Search the forums and blogs, or check out all topics tagged with acupuncture.
More links to information about Power Mushrooms including user experiences:
Power Mushrooms Immune Boosting Supplement
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It is true that CCNU does affect platelets. Most dogs will recover and start making more platelets if you reduce the dose or increase the interval between doses. If dogs get below the 25,000 mark you may see some bleeding. My own dog Tazzie went very low on her platelets (carboplatin chemotherapy) and recovered fine.
Has your vet checked your dog's ALT liver enzyme? This can also increase quite a bit on CCNU and then I would recommend SAM-E to protect the liver. I also really like the Power Mushrooms.
Pam
Yes, he has, it was around 30 now up to 50 but I understand the range is up to 107. I'll look into Power Shrooms. Thank you!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
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