Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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hi, my dog Bosco is about a week post op. He has Osteosarcoma. We noticed a seroma a few days ago and he has an infection. We are treating with antibiotics and a pressure wrap. Yesterday the wrap came loose and I took him in for emergency service. They re-wrapped him and said the incision looked good. A few hours after re-wrapping we noticed a new lump near the pressure wrap. My husband is a nurse and belives the lump is fluid. Is this typical? Do I need to take him in for emergency service again? We have an appointment tomorrow to follow up. I am giving him a heat pack over the lump right now. It looked less full first thing this morning and looks more full now. What do I do?
It can be very common for a seroma and/or slight infection to develop and take awhile to resolve. Some vets wrap, some do not, and much depends on the dog and amp site. Please do not worry about the seroma (s). The fluid has to go somewhere and will eventually resolve! (Some vets even leave a drain in and either keep the dog until the fluid is below such and such a marker or they pull the drain OR the vet will let you come home with the drain and empty it on your own.) Of course, am speaking to the choir here what with your husband being a nurse! ( That is FANTASTIC!!!) Others will add more specific specifics ( warm compresses do seem to help, test for MRSA if the infection does not resolve, wrap or no wrap, etc.) but just wanted to let you know it is VERY common and rarely something to worry about. Best wishes, huge hugs, and PyrPaws all around!
The wrap probably just moved the fluid to another part of the body. He should be fine until your recheck, although a hot pack for 5-10 minutes every 4 hours may help.
Pam
Ok thanks. I feel a little better. He has an appointment tomorrow and I have been using a heat compress. I think it looks a little better tonight. Definitely going to ask if they checked for MRSA .
A little bit of massage around the area can also help to reabsorb the extra fluid.
Murphy came home with a bandage, but it came off a day or so later. After that we just used a t-shirt to keep his incision clean.
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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