Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our lab, Levi, had a soft tissue sarcoma in his rear knee joint and we amputated 6 days ago. Everything was going as expected, then 3 days post-op, there was significant swelling in the chest area. The incision looked very good. I took him back to the surgeon and they said it's edema, not infection.
Last night the amputation area looked red and swollen, again the incision looked great. We woke up to festering/blistering in the skin approximately 3 inches under the incision so off the vet again. When I picked him up to load him into the vehicle, the area bursted open. This is the gross part.... The wound had pus and fluid pouring out. Not dripping but pouring.
I had to wrap him in a towel and get him to a different vet that's closer to home. They managed to get a couple bowl's worth of fluid out of the area. We've had IV antibiotics and we were sent home with a full round of antibiotics.
Has anyone seen anything like this?? All the reading I've done, talks about edema, seroma and incision infection. This vet doesn't even know of the source because the whole area is full of infection. They said it's the worth case they've ever seen.
I'm worried he's going to end up septic.
Aww I'm so sorry! I'm in the chat right now if you want to talk. Try to take comfort in knowing that lots of folks have dealt with this scary situation. Seromas are common, full-blown infection less so but it's nothing that you and Levi can't handle.
What is the vet's plan for dealing with this? What kind of instructions were you given at home as far as taking care of the wound? Have they taken cultures of the infection? How long did they say to give this? The possibility of MRSA is very real in situations like this, be a strong, vocal advocate until this infection goes away. You can do it!
Here's some reading for you:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh how scary for you and Levi. Sometimes it appears to be a lot more fluid than it truly is. He received a dose of IV antibiotics and is on antibiotics by mouth. Just keep an eye on him.
Laurie
The fact that they sent him home with oral abx sounds like good news to me! If they were really concerned they would want to keep him on fluids & IV abx.
Did they put a drain in? makes a mess but helps with healing
Hope Levi is on the mend soon!
Sonya & "Millie"--born Feb 1999, diagnosed with OSA 8/27/14, set free 9/27/14
(RIP baby girl)
Online
Good input....
Really sorry you and Levi are having this challenge. Stay strong. Sometimes there are these types of challenges with surgery. Good for you for staying on top of this! You are his best advocate!
Yeah, Jerry's post is full of good info AND great questions you need to jave your vet address. And IF you don't get satisfactory results, do not hesitate to get a second opinion! As sevydots asked, did the vet put a drain in? And yeah, many times dogs have to spend a short stay in the hospital with antibiotic IV, so you still jave plenty of options if you don't see improvement. Did the vet say when you should start seeing improvement?
Loti, Ty's mom, will chimenin and tell you to immediately get a culture done, as did Jerry. We're all OVERLY CAUTIOUS here, so I apologize for all our guestions! These are not to scare you at all, but to keep you well armed with information and solutions!
Glad to hear that Levi jas been javing a good recovery...in spite of this hurdle...and that's all it is ...a hurdle....and we're gonna help Levi get over that hurdle on power through recovery to a blissful life full of loving and spoiling!
Take care...and eat lots of chocolate...it helps!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thank you everyone.
I can't believe the change in him. After the IV antibiotics, he's pretty much a new dog. He'd been lethargic and had no appetite. Last night, he asked for his supper and was hopping around the house.
I'm sure the all the fluid in his chest that we took him to the vet for on Saturday was infection. We managed to drain about 2 food dishes full of fluid/infection. Approximately 5-6 cups worth! He must have felt awful.
They didn't have to install a drain since there's a hole from our incident yesterday. They recommended that I do heat compresses and keep squeezing out the infection until it's running clear.
I think he's on the mend but what a scare.
Oh whew! That's so nice to hear he's feeling better. Fingers & paws crossed that he continues on the mend.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So glad he is feeling better! Please, please, keep a close eye on him. I would use only clean sterile (maybe gauze) compresses. Keep an eye on his temp and if he shows ANY signs of infection returning, (ie: swelling, lethargy or fever) get him to vet and DEMAND a culture! My boy got MRSA and I kept suggesting the MRSA culture and they kept saying no, no it is fine. It was not! I would be careful with too much squeezing also. If the hole does not close or smells or looks black, cracked or anything that does not look right to you take him back. I say all of this, not to scare you, but to give you info that I did not have. MRSA is treatable. We had a drain, wound debridment ( this had to be done because we waited so long to take the culture) and 3 weeks of an injectable antibiotic. Sorry I am just now posting, but had Grandaughters all day yesterday and well I got nothing done but playing. Then, I actually went to bed at 8:30 because i was exhausted. What antibiotic is he on? Keep us posted on how he is doing. Lori and TY
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Lor and Ty...thanks for your insight...so valuable!
Glad Levi is doing so much better! Good job Levi! And good job mom for taking charge so quickly!
Would love to see more pictures of Levi. We love photos around here!
Hugs to all...extra treats for Levi!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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