Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Pam,
Last night there was a small spot on Calamity's incision that had started bleeding. I believe it "could" be a suture reaction but want to run it by you.
The area is about the size of the top of a pencil eraser if you were to stamp it (hope that makes sense). It is at the bottom of the "V" of her incision, if you were to look at it that way. it is the only area that has not grown back any hair yet. There has always been a very small spot that looked like a scab but would not flake off, it is at this area she has started to bleed.
I washed it with surgical scrub and put EMT Gel on it. It is scabbed over today & seems to be healing. I did not shave the area, although I did debate it..lol.
I've only assisted with spays/neuters, so I'm not sure what is involved internally with an amputation, but I assume there are some subcutaneous sutures. It's been over 2 months now, is this cause for a visit back to VSEC?
It's strange how this presents because when she had her leg, the infection would present itself in a similar way. it would present as a blister (same size) which would break open & heal. We went through this cycle for a long time before her hardware was removed, then it happened a few times after.
Very strange, but greyhounds never go by the books, do they?
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Sounds like a suture reaction. If they used PDS or Maxon this could take up to 5 months to dissolve completely. I would ignore it unless you can see a pustule or feel a suture. Often you can feel the knot and it can be removed easily with a local anesthetic but the body usually pushes it out.
As far as prior infection the leg has been removed so there should be no nidus of osteomyelitis left in the body.
Most surgeons will happily recheck an incision at no charge if it seems to be a suture reaction.
Pam and Tazzie
Thanks for the quick answer!
I wasn't too concerned & felt that was what it was. I just thought I'd run it by you for confirmation.
I didn't feel it was infection again, the presentation was just so deja vu without the blister.
We'll just watch the area for a couple more months & it should be fine.
Thanks again!
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
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