Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I didn't have a bandage, but I still got one. Go figure!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone, for your great advice and tips. The Dr. said the bandage would stay on until next Wednesday, and then they were going to put on another one to protect it while I am out of town. But that was when they thought she would be staying in the kennel next week. Since Nova is not going to a kennel while I am in Arizona for 5 days (a dog-loving friend is going to keep her at her home... I am so relieved!) perhaps she does not need one at all. The bandage is starting to shift and it seems like the seroma is exacerbated by the rubbing of the bandage. I am going to call the surgeon on Monday and see if I can just go to my local vet and have them drain it, and take off the bandage, or at least put something on that is not so irritating.
I've been keeping the warm compresses on for about a minute each time, 3-4 times a day.
I read somewhere that they occur when dogs move around too much. I can't keep her from standing and pacing, but I have tried to keep her inside (we have had a ton of rain here, so that is keeping her inside.) She's so dang curious and nosy, it's hard to keep her laying down for any length of time (she did just take a 4-5 hour nap this afternoon, though).
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
Hi Sue,
Calamity had a HUGE seroma except hers was in the front of her bandage. It looked like a little old lady's boobie when she walked! We knew it was harmless, so we chose to laugh about it.
It will go away...really.
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Hi Nova!
Seromas are fluid-filled pockets that have serum in them (usually clear to light pink fluid) and a hematoma is a pocket with blood in it that turns a purple color as the blood is resorbed by the body. Many dogs get one or the other or both after a major surgery. Tazzie did not get one but she had a firm swelling called cellulitis that went away on its own after a few weeks.
I think that the pressure wrap helped to support her remaining arm muscles but I had to change or readjust it often (sometimes twice daily) and I found that a good old-fashioned Ace bandage worked best. Just make sure it is not too tight; you should easily be able to get 2 fingers under it.
If it gets really squishy like a water balloon I would have it drained at your local vet, but most go away on their own.
Pam and Tazzie
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